With work on the Indian navy's future aircraft carrier the INS Vikramaditya now 90% complete, an RSK MiG-29K fighter has been placed aboard the vessel for the first time.
Pictured on the carrier's deck at the Sevmash dockyard in
Severodvinsk, northern Russia during November, aircraft Side 311 was
deployed using a crane to serve as a mock-up only.
According to Sevmash, the Vikramaditya will start sea trials
in May 2012, with these to involve take-offs and landings using two
industry-owned aircraft. One is a purpose-built MiG-29K, while the other
is a MiG-35D two-seat demonstrator now being modified after the crash
of a MiG-29KUB trainer during trials in 2011.
© Vladamir Karnozov
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Originally introduced to service with the Russian navy in 1987 as the Baku, but deactivated in 1992, the modified Vikramaditya now
features a "ski-jump" ramp and three arrestor wires to support fighter
operations. New Delhi's total investment in the ship is worth around $2
billion, with Sevmash expecting it to be commissioned into service on 4
December 2012 - Indian navy day.
Russia has so far delivered 11 of the 16 MiG-29K/KUBs ordered for the
Indian navy under a 2003 deal worth $530 million, with the remainder
due to be shipped to Goa before the end of 2011.
India also this year firmed up an option for 29 more navalised MiG-29s to equip its future homegrown aircraft carriers.
* Notícia publicada a Flight Global. La renovació i ampliació de l'esquadra de portaavions índia, com l'arma submarina, és un dels elements clau per entendre el poder creixent d'aquest país.
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