Contractor/s:
RAC MIG
Description:
The Mig-29, Fulcrum NATO-codename, is a single-seat, highly maneuverable fighter aircraft designed to engage airborne targets such as aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles. It features a limited air-to-surface/ ground strike capability. The Mig-29 is the Soviet counterpart to US F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft. More than 1,300 Mig-29s have been produced for 27 countries worldwide.
The Mig-29 aircraft features an integrated fire control system comprising the aircraft radar, and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) device, and a helmet-mounted sight. It can accommodate medium range R-27 and short range R-73 air-to-air missiles, bombs, and rockets as well as a built-in 30mm GSh-301 gun. The Mig-29 is able to outperform any existing western aircraft in a short range engagement employing the combination of R-73 missile, helmet-mounted sight and IRST.
The Mig-29 Fulcrum avionics are not as sophisticated as its NATO counterparts aircraft such as the Mirage 2000, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18. In the event of an air-to-air engagement at medium range NATO-aircraft shall have advantage over the Soviet Mig-29. However in a dogfight the Mig-29 will outperform NATO-aircraft easily. In the ground strike role the Mig-29 doesn't match NATO-aircraft capabilities.
The Mig-29M2 is an improved version of the Mig-29UB Fulcrum two-seat aircraft with enhanced air-to-surface capabilities. It features longer range, in-flight refueling system, state-of-the-art equipment, redundant fly-by-ware system for improved safety and reliability, and higher weapon load. The cockpit is equipped with Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and realizes the HOTAS concept. The integrated fire control system comprises an IRST, the helmet-mounted sight, and the Zhuk-ME advanced radar system.
The Mig-29M2 multi-role aircraft is compatible with R-73, R-77 and R-27 air-to-air missiles, Kh-29, Kh-31 and Kh-35 air-to-surface missiles, and KAB-500 laser and TV-guided bombs as well as dumb weapons. The M model retains the built-in 30mm GSh-301 gun of previous models. The Zhuk-ME radar has a maximum detection range for airborne threats of 120 km and tracks up to 10 targets engaging 4 of them simultaneously. In the surface search mode, the Zhuk-ME radar features a maximum detection range of 250 km against surface ships and 150 km against air defense radar systems.
The carrier-based Mig-29KUB and the upgraded Mig-29UMT two-seat aircraft have the same capabilities and performance of the Mig-29M multi-role aircraft. The Mig-29M2 is also kown as the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft or MRCA.
In January 2004, the Indian Navy purchased the Admiral Gorshkov carrier from Russia along with an important weapons package including both the Mig-29K and Mig-29KUA shipborne aircraft. Firm order included four Mig-29KUBs to be delivered from 2007 until 2009. There is an option for 30 additional aircraft until 2015.
RAC MIG has proposed the Mig-29M single-seat and the Mig-29M2 twin-seat aircraft for the Indian Air Force's requirement for 126 fighters. Mig-29M/M2 could be assembled locally by HAL if the Indian government finally selects this aircraft. In early 2005, the Bush administration paved the way for the sale of the F-16 aircraft to Pakistan killing any chance of conclude such a deal with India therefore increasing the stakes for the Mig-29M fighter.
In August 2005 during the MAKS Air Show the Mig-29M fighter aircraft was demonstrated at the flying display powered by RD-33 OVT thrust vectoring control engines. The RD-33 OVT engines provide super maneuverability capability to the Mig-29M aircraft enhancing its performance in air-to-air engagements and overall flight skills. Klimov and Mig agreed to provide this engine as standard equipment in series production Mig-29M/M2.
In August 2005 Svezda company announced that the BKDU-130 oxygen generator system development was completed on the Mig-29M aircraft. The new oxygen generator system was meant to remove the oxygen bottles from Russian manufactured fighter aircraft such as the Mig-29M. Mig-29K, Mig-29KUB, Mig-AT, and Yak-130. Moreover, Svezda stated that there was an agreement between the Russian Air Force and the design bureaus Mig, Yakovlev and Sukhoi on this issue.
The Mig-29K and Mig-29KUB aircraft delivered to India from 2008 are the second generation to Mig-29 shipborne aircraft which entered service in the early 1990s. Mig-29K/KUB along with the Mig-29M, Mig-29M2, Mig-35 and Mig-35D form the core of the next generation Mig-29 family aircraft. The upgraded Mig-29K/KUB features at least 15 percent of composite material components within the airframe.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 30 mm
Dimensions: Height 4.7 m, Length 17.3 m, Wingspan 11.4 m
Weights: Max Weight 23,700 kg (52,249 lb), Payload 6,500 kg (14,330 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 38,800 lb (17,600 kg)
Performance: Ceiling 17,500 m (57,415 ft), Max Range 5,000 km (2,700 nm), Min Range 1,700 km (918 nm), Top Speed 781 mps (Mach 2.35)
India / 4 
Russia
Syria