Posted on 03/13/2009 9:37:24 PM PDT by NoLibZone
NEW DELHI: In a move fraught with major implications for India, Russia has grounded a major chunk of its MiG-29 fleet due to structural defects. The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates over 60 MiG-29s as "all-weather air-superiority fighters".
Moreover, the Indian Navy is soon to get 16 MiG-29Ks—the fighter's naval variant designed to operate from an aircraft carrier's deck—as part of the original $1.5 billion package deal signed with Russia in 2004 for Admiral Gorshkov.
Sources said a navy team recently returned empty-handed from Russia after the delivery of its 16 MiG-29Ks was postponed because of Moscow's decision to ground its own MiG-29s. Russia apparently grounded its entire fleet of about 300 MiG-29s, codenamed 'Fulcrum' by Nato during the Cold War, after a couple of them crashed in southern Siberia in October-December due to the disintegration of their tail fins.
Subsequently, around 90 MiG-29s have so far been found unsafe to fly during ongoing checks, while 100 have been cleared to take to the skies. Incidentally, Algeria had last year returned its 15 MiG-29s to Russia, holding that their quality was poor, which was strongly contested by Moscow.
This does not augur well for India. As earlier reported by TOI, the IAF is already grappling with a huge dip in the number of its fighter squadrons, down to just 32 from the "sanctioned strength" of 39.5. The IAF hopes to reach its "desired strength" of 42 squadrons only by 2020 or so.
Another reason is that even as India haggles with Russia over its additional $2 billion demand for Gorshkov's refit, the defence ministry has cleared the navy's proposal to buy 29 additional MiG-29Ks for Rs 5,380 crore.
The procurement has been approved because both Gorshkov and the indigenous aircraft carrier, being built at the Cochin Shipyard, will operate MiG-29Ks once the two desperately needed warships are inducted into service in the next decade.
The immediate concern, however, is for the IAF, which operates three MiG-29 squadrons along the western front for air defence purposes. "We have received no word from Russia. We are continuing to fly our MiG-29s from Halwara and Jamnagar," a senior officer said.
The IAF had inducted over 70 twin-engined MiG-29s from 1986 onwards but has lost several of them in crashes, though these fighters are not as accident-prone as the single-engined MiG-21s or the recently phased out MiG-23s.
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These will auger into the ground well for India.
ahhhhhhh....the poor little miggees go boom-boom. My heart bleeds......NYET!!!
Has there ever been such a recall of F-16s?
I don’t know.
Has there?
Not that I am aware of. There may have been for certain F-15 variants when they were still flying but they were flying for so long, too.
Can’t we sell India the F-18?
We?
Obama believes that war planes are very bad.
They create a large carbon footprint in manufacture and operation and they hurt people.
No problem.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates over 60 MiG-29s as "all almost-all-weather air-superiority fighters".
What? No “Lemon Law”?
MiG-29 fleet It is the same... 
old story, campers---
Where... 
there is smoke--
There... 
is fire!
Looks like an f-fiftenski that can’t take the heat. nice lines though.
Maybe, but I suspect the Indians view the US as market of last resort, due to unreliability.
Fire is a bitch!!
F-18’s have short range and require in-air refueling...not entirely appropriate for India’s vast size and topography and budget and infrastructure.
F-15’s and F-16’s would be a better fit...neighboring Pakistan shares much of the same terrain (e.g. long hostile distances between airports) and loves the F-16.
The F-35 would be appropriate for India, as well...if a bit pricey.
I assume you mean unreliability of supply. If I was an Indian pilot I would be more concerned about aircraft reliability that supply unreliability.
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