Mikoyan MiG-29K
Carrier-based multirole combat aircraft / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Mikoyan MiG-29K (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29K; NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-D)[9] is a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau. The MiG-29K was developed in the late 1980s from the MiG-29M. Mikoyan describes it as a 4+ generation aircraft.[10][11]
MiG-29K | |
---|---|
A Russian MiG-29K at MAKS Air Show 2007 | |
Role | All-weather carrier-based multirole fighter |
National origin | Soviet Union / Russia |
Manufacturer | Mikoyan |
First flight | 23 July 1988; 35 years ago (1988-07-23) |
Introduction | 19 February 2010 (India)[1] |
Status | In service |
Primary users | Indian Navy Russian Navy |
Produced | 2005–present[N 1] |
Number built | 81[4][verification needed][5] |
Developed from | Mikoyan MiG-29M[6] |
Developed into | Mikoyan MiG-35[7][8] |
Production standard MiG-29Ks differ from prototypes in features such as a multi-function radar and several new cockpit displays; the adoption of HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) controls;[12] the integration of RVV-AE (also known as R-77) air-to-air missiles, along with missiles for anti-ship and anti-radar operations; and several ground/strike precision-guided weapons.
The MiG-29K was not ordered into production and only two prototypes were originally built because the Russian Navy preferred the Su-27K (later re-designated Su-33) in the early 1990s. Mikoyan did not stop its work on the MiG-29K aircraft despite the lack of financing since 1992. The programme got a boost in the late 1990s to meet an Indian requirement for a ship-borne fighter following the purchase of a former Soviet aircraft carrier, and the MiG-29K was first received by the Indian Naval Air Arm in 2009. The Russian Navy, with their Su-33s nearing the end of their service lives by 2010, has also ordered the MiG-29K as a replacement.