India is about to buy extra parcel of Russian MiG-29 – media

15.02.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: MiG-29K (flymig.com)

India will probably sign a purchasing agreement of additional parcel of Russian fighters MiG-29K, informed Saturday IANS referring to undisclosed Russian spokesman.

According to him, India intends to buy additional 29 deck fighters MiG-29K capable to be based on aircraft carriers. Those aircrafts are supposed to shift obsolete British-made Sea Harrier fighters which are currently in service at Indian Navy.

Indian media estimates the contract cost as $1.2 bln. Reportedly, the agreement may be tied in March during the visit of Russian premier Vladimir Putin to India.

Negotiations on purchasing of 29 MiG-29K [in addition to 16 already bought ones] are in progress and India has really declared its plans to buy such aircrafts, informed RIA Novosti citing a well-informed source in Russian military industry.

"However, there has been no final arrangement so far. But if the both parties come to agreement in the nearest future, the contract can be tied", said the source.

The report of India's possible procurement of extra parcel of the fighters has appeared on the threshold of 6th international land and naval arms show DEFEXPO INDIA-2010 opened on Monday in New Delhi.

According to Indian promoters of the exhibition, naval weapons will be in the spotlight this year.

Russia's display which spreads at 400 sq m represents well-known arms suppliers, including FSUE Rosoboronexport, Design Bureau of Instrument Engineering, GNPP Splav, Almaz-Antei, Izhmash, Rubin Design Bureau, Northern Design and Construction Bureau and so on.

Companies from 30 countries will take part in DEFEXPO and 9 countries (Russia, France, Israel, U.S., Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Republic of South Africa) will arrange large national displays.