India to upgrade MiG-29 jets to boost fighter fleet

Posted on: Mar. 12th, 2007 || Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has inked a major deal to upgrade its 78 MiG-29 fighters as part of urgent measures to compensate for a rapid depletion of its fighter fleet.

Under the $800-million deal, signed recently with a consortium of Russia’s state-owned Rosboronexport and United Aircraft Corporation, the IAF’s fleet of three squadrons of MiG-29 air superiority jets will get their service life extended from 25 to 40 years.

The IAF, which is currently phasing out older MiG-21 and MiG-23 jets, has seen its squadron strength plunging to an all-time low of 29 squadrons, as against its sanctioned strength of 45 squadrons.

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