Six IAF MiG-29s Being Upgraded to MiG-29(UPG) Standard in Nashik

MiG-29 UPG. Photo Credit: RAC MiG

Upgrade of the IAF's fleet of 62 MiG-29 aircraft to MiG-29(UPG) standard is underway at Nashik, India with six aircraft currently being upgraded using kits supplied by RAC MiG.

The upgrade of the IAF's MiG-29  fleet started in Russia in 2012. It moved to India this year, after RAC MiG delivered six MiG-29(UPG) aircraft to the IAF, 3 in 2012 and 3 in 2013. The company has also supplied kits for upgrading the remaining aircraft to India fulfilling its contractual obligations.

MiG Director General Sergei Korotkov told reporters recently, "In 2012 and 2013 we had delivered three planes each. We also delivered the technological kits that are needed for the assembly, repair and modernization of planes of the Indian Air Force. So, we have fully met all our obligations."

He added that the first six planes "are already at a good stage of repair and modernization” at Indian facilities. “These works continue. A large group of the MiG corporation experts are there. They, along with our subcontractors that participate in the project, transfer these aircraft and train the Indian colleagues to assemble planes.”

In March 2008 Russia's RAC-MiG signed a $964 million contract with MOD for modernization of 62 MiG-29 fighters (54 fighters and 8 trainers).  The project was expected to be completed by 2013, but is now expected to be completed by 2016.

Upgrade Support Contracts

During MAKS-2013, RAC MiG and India’s Basant Aerospace Private Limited signed two contracts worth $55 million as part of a general offset contract with India.

The first contract, worth $43 million, is for establishing a service center in India for servicing and repair of the Zhuk-ME airborne radar produced by Fazotron-NIIP.

The second contract, worth $12 million, is for creation of a service center in India for repair of equipment specific to MiG-29 (UPG) and MiG-29K/KUB aircraft spanning Avionics, Radar, Hydraulic System and  Structural Parts.

As part of the agreement, RAC MiG will train IAF technical staff to service and repair assemblies and provide equipment to setup the centers.

In April 2014, Sergei Korotkov, chief executive officer of Russian Aircraft Corporation (RSK) MiG told reporters that the service center would be operational from next year.

“This year we have already provided equipment for this onsite service center, which was built as part of the agreement, and, starting next year, this service center should operate in accordance with the contractual obligations that were taken by both sides,” Korotkov said.

A MiG representative said the next step calls for the creation of a warehouse in India for MiG-29K Aircraft spare parts.

The first lot of the 62 upgraded Russian-built aircraft will be deployed at Adampur air base in the border state of Punjab.

IDP Sentinel members can read more about the MiG-29UPG project at the link below

MiG-29 Upgrade (MiG-29UPG) (IDP Sentinel)