Mig-29k Squadron at INS Hansa, Goa Mig-29K Takes off from INS Hansa Indian Defence Minister AK Antony formally commissioned the f...
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| Mig-29k Squadron at INS Hansa, Goa |
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| Mig-29K Takes off from INS Hansa |
Indian Defence Minister AK Antony formally commissioned the first-ever squadron of the multi-role MiG-29K carrier borne fighter jets into the Indian Navy on Saturday.
With this commissioning, the Indian Navy, which is celebrating the diamond jubilee of its aviation wing, will give itself cutting edge in force multiplier and projection.
The squadron consists 12 single-seat MiG-29K fighters, and four twin-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft trainers of the 45 fighters ordered from Russia constitutes the INSAS 303 ”Black Panthers” Squadron.
The squadron's insignia depicts the rare Black Panther, rampant on sea waves, against an azure background.
INAS 303 is commanded by Capt AD Theophilus, an accomplished and experienced Sea Harrier pilot and a qualified flying instructor.
During the ceremony, a pair of Sea Harriers jump jets (fighter aircraft attached to India's solitary aircraft carrier-INS Vikrant ) escorted a Mig-29K (K for ‘Korabelny’ meaning ‘Carrier Borne’ in Russian) during a fly-pass as they flew at the speed of 800 kms per hour.
The squadron is now based at INS Hansa naval base, Goa, until the refurbished aircraft carrier-INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) arrives.
INS Vikramaditya is currently undergoing sea trials in Russia and expected to be delivered by the year end.
Antony later inaugurated the MiG-29K flight simulator at INS Hansa that will be utilised for training pilots flying the MiG-29Ks.
The MiG-29K is a navalized variant of the MiG-29 land-based fighter, and has folding wings, an arrester tail-hook, strengthened airframe and multirole capability. It is armed with a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry.
The state of the art, all weather, carrier based, air dominance fighter is specially built for the Indian Navy. The aircraft has a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound (about 2000 kmph), can pull up to 8 times the force of gravity, can climb to an altitude of over 65000 feet. Armed with an arsenal of some of the most sophisticated weapons in the world it is fully equipped to dominate by engaging targets in air, at sea or on land. It can carry two potent Kh-35 anti-ship missiles which has a 120km range.
Latest avionics, with data link capabilities coupled with its range of armament will enable true power projection. With its air- to- air refueling capability its ranges are also extended to perform true power projection and air space dominance roles.
Under the Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal inked between the two countries in 2004, Russia is to supply 12 single-seater MiG-29K fighters and four two-seater MiG-29KUB trainer-cum-combat jets.
In March 2010, Russia and India signed another $1.5-billion contract on the supplies of 29 additional MiG-29K Fulcrum-D carrier-based fighter jets and the deliveries are scheduled to commence next year,
The first of the four MiG-29Ks and MiG-29KUBs were delivered in February 2010.
