[doorgunner69]

Other than improved engine control, no mention of what I gathered was a huge Mig-29 issue: very short range.

Then again, the F-18 had the same issue.

[Spktyr]

Item: “The jet also features more powerful and fuel-efficient Klimov RD-33MK engines”

Also: The F-18 has actually been getting *shorter* ranged, especially with the new Super Hornets.

[sukhoi-30mki]

The range issue is about irrelevant since its a ski-jump carrier, so the aircraft will at best be used for air defense or short-range strike. The F-18 could at least be launched at full load thanks to CATOBAR.

The Russians are buying the 29K to leverage the upgrades offered as a result of India buying 45 of the same jets. They didn’t want to pay for an upgraded SU-33.

[Spktyr]

Per the Russians’ export bureau and as confirmed by the Indian Navy (as well as external observers of the Indian Navy), the unrefueled ‘ferry’ range of the MiG-29K is 1,243 miles without drop tanks, 1,860 with triple drop tanks.

Still shorter than the F/A-18E in ferry config, but it’s not the <1000 mile wonder the MiG-25 and some of the earlier 29s were.

On the other hand, it’s got a full multi-channel infrared look-down shoot-down system which we still haven’t installed on our F-18s. And theirs actually works really well.

[Chode]

F18 = tanker junkie