Dmitry Shugayev, the head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, told TASS at the ARMY-2022 international arms show that Russia and India are implementing joint military-technical cooperation projects to deliver Igla-S man-portable air defense systems and MiG-29UPG fighter aircraft.
“The following projects of bilateral cooperation are at various stages of their approval: arranging the production of Ka-226T helicopters in India, delivering and setting up the licensed production of Igla-S man-portable air defense systems, delivering additional sets for the manufacture of Su-30MKI aircraft, delivering additional MiG-29UPG planes and delivering additional Ka-31 helicopters,” the defense cooperation chief said. The procurement of the batch of MiG-29 fighters would bring the Indian Air Force’s total number of these aircraft to 59. The purchase of Su-30MKI combat fighters would bring the Indian Air Force’s total number of these aircraft to 284.
The Indian Air Force Staff has issued a tender request for 21 planes to be delivered in 2021. The Russian side has delivered their commercial offer to the Indian partners, who are now reviewing it.
Due to international sanctions against Russia, the Indian Air Force was forced to postpone the planned upgrade of 85 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets, according to EurAsian Times. Sanctions have also hampered plans to build 12 Sukhois in India to replace the same number of jets lost over the last ten years. Notably, the Indian Army has already received a number of Igla-S MANPADS weapons to bolster its defence capabilities. The Igla-S system, an improved variant of the Igla MANPADS, is capable of engaging low-flying aircraft and helicopters as well as identifying air targets like as drones and cruise missiles. It is said to be the last line of protection against hostile threats in a multi-layered air Defence system. The transfer of MiG-29UPG fighter jets, on the other hand, is significant.
Using its emergency funds India acquired Russian fighters, enabled the Indian arm forces to buy weapons shortly without any further delay for additional approvals. Indian defence system got 216 missiles, 24 launchers and extra testing implements as a part of the purchase agreement in 2021.
The internal EW suite of MiG-29 is made by Defence Avionic research eslablishment lab and its radar Phazotron Zhuk-ME is capable of tracking ten targets to a maximum range of 245km the air craft consist wide range increased payloads, new glass cocpits, digitalfly by wire control system, new avionics, improved radars, KOLS infrared search and track (IRST).
