30.09.2008
Source:
Russia will start deliveries of MiG-29K Fulcrum-D carrier fighters to India in the spring of 2009, the aircraft manufacturer's marketing director said Monday.
Russia and India signed a contract on January 20, 2004, stipulating the delivery of 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB by 2009, to be deployed on the
Admiral Gorshkov, currently being retrofitted in Russia for the Indian Navy.
"The first four MiG-29K aircraft will be delivered to India in the spring of 2009," Mikhail Globenko said, adding that the remaining 12 jets would be delivered "by the fall."
The MiG official said there was an option in the contract to supply an additional 30 fighters by 2015 and the company was in talks with the Indian navy on exercising this option.
"We are ready [to exercise this option] and it all now depends on the Indian side," Globenko said.
He also said that Indian pilots started Monday a five-month training course for MiG-29K in Russia and technical personnel had already been training in Russia for two months.
"By the time the first aircraft arrive in India, their pilots and technicians will be ready," the Russian official said.
