ВМС Индии запрашивают МО о покупке еще 14 МиГ-29К для ADS
ВМС Индии запросили МО о покупке дополнительно 14 МиГ-29К для авиагруппы национального авианосца ADS. МО подтверждает получение запроса, но по деньгам, которые могут выделены, на это дело, пока ничего неясно. Первый контракт был заключен на 16 машин 20 января. Индуи сначала сомневались, что Россия сможет вовремя выполнить этот контракт, ибо самолет существует только на бумаге и Индия - первый покупатель. Но русские уверили, что все будет хорошо. Покупка необходима из-за медленной разработки LCA. Авианосец войдет в строй в 2012 году., будет нести также Хариеры, индийские легкие вертолеты, Ка-31 и палубную версию LCA/
Defense news
01.08.2005
Indian Navy Wants More MiG-29Ks
By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI, NEW DELHI
The Indian Navy has asked the Defence Ministry to buy 14 additional MiG-29K multirole aircraft from Russia to equip the service's long-planned aircraft carrier, dubbed the Air Defense Ship (ADS), now under construction.
The government here last year concluded a deal to buy 16 MiG-29Ks for the Admiral Gorshkov, the used Russian carrier being refitted for the Indian Navy. The Navy wants negotiations for the additional fighters to begin now to take advantage of terms used in the first MiG-29K deal.
A senior Indian Defence Ministry official confirmed that the Navy's request for additional aircraft for the ADS has been received, but a decision on the price the ministry is willing to pay has not been made.
The first MiG-29K aircraft deal was approved by the previous government on Jan. 20, 2004.
India initially had doubts that the MiGs would be delivered on schedule because they were still on the drawing board when the deal was signed. India will be the first buyer outside Russia for the MiG-29K.
The Defence Ministry official, however, said Russia has promised to adhere to the delivery schedule for aircraft to equip the Gorshkov. Deliveries are to begin in 2007.
The Gorshkov is being refitted for the Indian Navy at SevMash Enterprise, Severodvinsk, Russia, and will be delivered in 2009.
An executive here of Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport said that serial production of the MiG-29Ks is on schedule and all 16 planes will be delivered by 2009.
The 2004 contract includes 12 single-seat MiG-29Ks and four twin-seat MiG-29KUB trainers, as well as training of pilots and technical personnel, delivery of simulators and spare parts, and organization of aircraft maintenance in India.
The contract is valued at $740 million, with the planes costing around $31.5 million each. The overall price tag also covers the cost of integration, the engine and other equipment such as electronic warfare suites and ground support systems and armament.
A senior Indian Navy official said the service is contemplating ordering more MiG-29Ks in the future due to slow development of the naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The Navy official said the ADS is designed to operate a mix of aircraft, including the Russian Mig-29K, the naval version of the LCA, Sea Harrier, Advanced Light Helicopter and anti-submarine and maritime reconnaissance Kamov Ka-31 helicopters.
The ADS is to be delivered to the Navy by India's state-owned Cochin Shipyard by early 2012. o
