MiG-29 fighter planes join Indian Navy
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Feb 19, IRNA -- India Friday inducted MiG-29 fighter aircraft into the Navy.
The sophisticated Russian-made MiG-29K maritime fighter aircraft, which will be based on under-construction aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, were formally put into the Navy service by Defence Minister A K Antony.
Four MiG 29Ks of the 'Black Panthers' squadron were inducted at a ceremony at INS Hansa, Vasco da Gama, Goa, that was also attended by Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma.
India had placed orders for 16 MiG-29K in 2004 along with Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier from Russia, four of which landed in India on December 4 last year.
"After induction, the fighter jets would be operated for around two years from the under-development shore-based testing facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa till the actual delivery of Gorshkov, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, slated for 2012," a senior naval officer said.
For operating the fleet of MiG 29Ks, India had sent 10 pilots for training to Russia and also to the US for deck landing training and on board a French aircraft carrier for operations training, he said.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 967919
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