Govt approves purchase of 29 MiG-29Ks from Russia for Navy

New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) The Indian Navy is all set to
procure additional 29 naval fighter jets from Russia for
Admiral Gorshkov and indigenous aircraft carriers, with the
government recently giving an "in principle" nod to the
purchase.

"The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently
given an in principle approval to the proposal to buy 29
additional MiG-29K naval fighter aircraft," Naval officers
said on Monday.
India has already purchased 16 MiG-29K aircraft from
Russia for USD 536 million. The total deal, including the
warship, was for USD 1.5 billion in 2004.
The first three of the 16 aircraft landed in Goa naval
airbase from Russia in the first week of December last, though
the warship, rechristened INS Vikramaditya, is expected only
by 2012-13.
The additional MiG-29Ks would cost USD 1.2 billion and
the deal would seal Russia's position as the number one arms
supplier to India with defence purchases touching USD 35
billion since 1960s.
"There are a few issues in the deal on which the CCS
wants clarification, which will be provided soon. A final
approval will come later," officers said.
A team from Russia is expected to be in New Delhi this
week to finetune the contract, they added.
India had recently issued a Request for Information to
major aircraft manufacturers for a new naval fighter jet,
which could be a stand-by in case the indigenously built naval
version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is not ready soon.
PTI NCB