India purchase 20 MiG-29 jets from Russia: India's most important deal

 Sukhoi Su-30MKI_ Edited by: diego_pmc

India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from Russian defense companies to strengthen India's defense needs. This deal excited our soldiers, pilots and defense personnel to handle the latest technology in our country.

Defense deal of India to purchase 20 MiG-29 jets from Russian Companies.

Indian Defense Minister Rajanath Singh and defence personnel's take part in the Victory Parade in Moscow’s Red Square on June 24 and the latest development regards India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from russian companies.

New Delhi has eyed the American designed Lockheed Martin F-35. The Indian forces and military still use a lot of Russian technology. 

Earlier news reported, which noted that these aircraft would replace the IAF’s aging MiG-21 fighters and of the new aircraft two would be trainers. India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from russia will continue to engage relation between both country.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is now reportedly planning to order thirty-three additional fighters including twenty-one MiG-29 supersonic fighter jets from Russia. 

The Victory Parade, which marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (1941-45).

It had been scheduled for May 9 but was delayed due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Russia.

However, after consultations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was decided that Singh must undertake the visit as that was the best opportunity to engage the Russian government at this critical juncture.

The government of india has begun the process of filling up gaps in defence preparedness, making good pending purchases, shoring up supplies. 

Image Credit: The ET

Also improving inventory profile based on worst-case scenarios, including a two-front fight. While discussion on the current situation about china-india tension india introduce the reinforced India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from Russia.

This deal between New Delhi and Moscow comes as tensions continue to simmer at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border, between India and China in the Kashmir region. 

Russia has been working with the IAF to support the modernization of the MiG-29 fighter, and those upgrades will improve the jet aircraft’s combat capabilities.

However, to improve the country's defense capabilities India purchased 20 Mig-29 jets from Russia in this crucial situation.

The modernization is expected to increase the service life of the aircraft platform by up to forty years. 

The fighter jets could be manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) facility, aircraft is tailor-made for Indian specifications and integrates Indian systems and avionics. 

Last year, a senior executive at the state owned facility said that it could close this year if no new orders were placed.

While this latest order of twelve additional fighters will keep the Nasik-based factory running through next year.

The increase in aircraft would be 12 Sukhoi Su-30 MkI multi-role fighter jets which now form the backbone of the IAF. It brings the total number of the fifth-generation fighters to 284. 

Major Weapon Systems Purchased from Russia

The major weapon systems acquired or contracted from Russia in the last five years include Su-30MKI multi-role fighter aircraft, Il-78 tanker aircraft to be used as platform for Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

Mi-17-IV military transport helicopters, R-77 air-to-air missiles, Kilo class/type 877E submarines, frigates, Ka-31 Helix airborne early warning helicopters, aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, MiG-29K.

Including MiG-29KUB version for use on aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, Ka-27PL (Ka-28 version) and Ka-31 helicopters; T-90 tanks, fire control radar, air and sea surveillance radar, combat radar, aircraft radar, anti-tank and anti- ship missiles, etc.

Major Joint Development and Production Projects

• BrahMos
• 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft
• Medium Transport Aircraft Development Programme (MTA)
• Co-operation in Space – the GLONASS

The Russian Military Industrial Complex (MIC)

• Areas of Strength
• Problems and Weaknesses
• Problem of Spare Parts
• Impact of Growing Competition for Indian Arms Market
• No More ‘Friendship’ Prices
• Delay in Supply
• Concern About Quality
• Upgrading and Modernisation

Areas of Strength

Russian defence industries have their strong areas. Even the Western countries have shown interest in Russian aero-engine technology.

“Independent industry sources” believe that in aircraft, helicopter and shipbuilding, the quality of Russian weapons is close to the level of the best Western producers, at a price that is 30-35 percent lower. 

India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets will also affect various deals. Military aircraft and helicopters dominate the Russian export segment. They accounted for 60 percent of sales in 2003.

Problems and Weaknesses

Machinery and equipment in the Russian defence industries are becoming old and out-dated.

It has been pointed out that during 1999 and 2000, less than 5 percent of the machinery was less than five years old, while over 75 per cent were more than 10 years old. How india purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from russia comes closer.

Problem of Spare Parts

The easy availability of cheap spare parts is a problem area in any defence relationship. The problem existed even during the Soviet period.

There were delays and bottlenecks in getting timely supply of spare parts. Impact of India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from russia has import for defence needs.

While the Soviet weapons were cheap, Soviet spare parts were not. Thus a retired Lt. General of the Indian Army has stressed that although the import of Soviet weapon systems has been of immense benefit, there have been persistent problems of maintenance and support.

Interestingly, the blame is not put squarely on the Soviet Union/Russia alone.

Impact of Growing Competition for Indian Arms Market

As Russia is facing increasing competition in the Indian arms market, it is showing greater willingness to respond to Indian needs.

The recent setting up of a consignment warehouse and a service centre in India called Rosoboron Service may go a long way in meeting India’s requirements for timely and uninterrupted supply of spare parts and repair and maintenance of equipment of Soviet and Russian origin. 

Earlier, our country approached India to purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from Russia to cause tactical benefits for Indian foreign policies.

No More ‘Friendship’ Prices

If the main motive behind the Soviet arms transfers was geo-political, the main motive behind Russian arms transfers is commercial.

A retired Vice Admiral said the following regarding the situation immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union:

Russia adopted free market philosophy. They started demanding unreasonably high prices for their hardware. They started making unreasonable demands. The expert point out IndiaAreas of Strength

Russian defence industries have their strong areas. Even the Western countries have shown interest in Russian aero-engine technology.

“Independent industry sources” believe that in aircraft, helicopter and shipbuilding, the quality of Russian weapons is close to the level of the best Western producers, at a price that is 30-35 percent lower. 

India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets will also affect various deals. Military aircraft and helicopters dominate the Russian export segment. They accounted for 60 percent of sales in 2003.

Delay in Supply

Delay in the supply of equipment has been a constant problem. For instance, the deadlines set for the supply of Su-30 MKI were not met.

There were also delays in the upgradation of MiG-21 to the MiG-21-93 level. It has been reported that the Su-30 MKI aircraft that India has been receiving did not have all the features.

Of the 32 aircraft received from Russia, 22 were phase I and phase II variants.

Concern About Quality

At times, there have been complaints of sub-standard systems and spare parts. At times, the contractual obligations are not met.

It was reported that in case of Tunguska Air Defence system, old and rusted systems were provided. 

However, when the Indian Army drew the attention to this, they were replaced. Can we goes for india purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from Russia ?

Upgrading and Modernisation

It is widely felt that Russia has not been successful in developing the advanced subsystems that make up the bulk of modernisation activities.

India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from Russia will help Defense strength to long time. 

Russian prices demanded became equal to the Western, but they did not provide detailed break-up of costing and Russian technology also lacked the sophistication of the Western countries.

Conclusion

"Cooperation with Soviet Union and now Russia has made a vitally important contribution to the development of Indian defence potential.

It has given India access to sophisticated weapons and advanced technologies at a time when others were not willing."

"However, India purchase 20 Mig-29 jets from Russia will strengthen both countries' relations. The defence cooperation reflected

the convergence of their larger geopolitical interests."

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