Four MiC-29K Maritime Fighter Aircraft Inducted into Navy
Defence Minister AK Antony has formally introduced the sophisticated Russian-made MiG-29K maritime fighter aircraft into the Navy, reported PTI.
The fighter aircraft will be based on under-construction aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, said report.
In a ceremony, four MiG 29Ks of the ‘Black Panthers’ squadron were inducted into the Navy, said report.
It may be mentioned that India had placed orders for 16 MiG-29K in 2004 along with Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier from Russia, four of which landed in India on December 4 last year.
“After induction, the fighter jets would be operated for around two years from the under-development shore-based testing facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa till the actual delivery of Gorshkov, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, slated for 2012,” a senior naval officer was quoted as saying.
Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma was also present on the occasion.
