Indian Navy has announced a tender for 57 multi-role carrier
borne fighters. Russian Aircraft has announced its willingness to participate
in this bid.
New Delhi (Sputnik) – In a bid
to improve serviceability of carrier aircraft MiG 29K, Indian
government has decided to set up an ‘intermediate’ engine repair
facility for MiG 29k fighter jets at the Indian Navy base
at Goa. Indian Navy has 45 such jets that operate from sea-borne
aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov i.e INS Vikramaditya. Russia has completed
the delivery of all the contracted fourth generation multi role fighters
in 2016.
“This was a long overdue measure. There was always an understanding between India and Russia that once these aircrafts come, a repair facility will be installed but somehow it got delayed. Indian Navy was pressurizing to government for more than 2-3 years for repair facility in Goa where squadron is based. As we know that serviceability of MiG 29K jets is very low and Indian Navy was struggling to find spare parts for the aircraft, sanctioning of this repair facility is definitely a welcome step,” says Indian Naval Commander Abhijit Singh (retired).
India’s top auditor CAG
had criticized the Russian manufacturer for low level
of serviceability and engine capacity. “The serviceability of MiG29K
was unsatisfactory, ranging from 15.93 per cent to 37.63 per cent.
However, the serviceability of the MiG 29KUB, i.e., trainer aircraft was
comparatively better, ranging from 21.30 per cent to 47.14 per cent,”
revealed CAG last year in its audit.
The
service life of the aircraft is 6000 hrs or 25 calendar years whichever is
earlier while service life of RD-33MK engine fitted on MiG29K/KUB is
10 years/4000 hours with an overhaul life of 1000 hours.
“Repair facility is basically only to create indigenous capability to make sure that aircraft are always in serviceable condition. For this Russia may provide equipment and training to Indian Navy. But, serviceability will all depend on how Russian manufacturers supply spare parts to India,” Abhijit Singh added.
Last month Russia had
announced that it would set-up an after-sales service center in India
for maintenance of MiG-29 fighter jets for its foreign clients.
“We offer the contractual after-sales service to our foreign clients.
Beside the delivery of the aircraft, we are ready to create the
maintenance centers on the territory of the client … Such a center
to service MiG-29 jets is expected to be opened in India
in 2017,” Sergey Korotkov, the vice-president of the United Aircraft
Corporation for innovations said.
Indian
government had contracted with Russia for acquisition of 16 twin
engine MiG 29K/KUB aircraft and associated equipment at a cost of $ 740.35
million initially out of which 13 aircraft was intended for Admiral
Gorshkov i.e., INS Vikramaditya. Thereafter, the Ministry had concluded
in March 2010 an Option Clause contract for acquisition of 29
MiG 29K/KUB aircraft at a cost of $ 1466.44 million.
Source :- Sputnik
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