INS Vikramaditya (Adm Gorshkov) aircraft carrier

[SATISH]

what a rip-off..........what a junk

its a slap in the face by a so-called 'ally'

I wouldnt call it a junk any day ....Can anyone give us an aircraft carrier @ $2.5 billion, I guess not so it is normal.

 

[Vladimir79]

what a rip-off..........what a junk

its a slap in the face by a so-called 'ally'

So don't buy it. We can always transfer it to PACFLT.

 

[Rage]

what a rip-off..........what a junk

its a slap in the face by a so-called 'ally'

Not bought yet, son.

It's a slap of reality in the face of a so-called 'Khalistanie'.

 

[Sridhar]

Russia, India to sign new deal on Admiral Gorshkov overhaul

BY : RIA Novosti

A new deal on the funds Russia needs to finish a refit of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier for India will be signed in mid-October, the head of the state technology corporation said on Thursday.
“An additional agreement will be signed,” Sergei Chemezov, head of Rostekhnologii, told a news conference in Moscow.
Under the original $1.5 billion 2004 contract between Russia’s state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the Indian Navy, which includes delivery of MiG-29K Fulcrum carrier-based fighters, the work on the aircraft carrier was to have been completed in 2008.
However, Russia later claimed it had underestimated the scale and the cost of the modernization, and asked for an additional $1.2 billion, which New Delhi said was “exorbitant.”
After long-running delays and disputes, India offered in February 2008 to raise the refit costs for the aircraft carrier, docked at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia for the past 12 years, by up to $600 million.
Russia said it was not satisfied with the proposed amount and the issue of the additional funding remains unresolved.
Talks on the additional funding agreement are currently underway. Russia has pledged to finish the Admiral Gorshkov’s overhaul as soon as possible and deliver it to India in 2012 if the additional $1.2 bln funding is provided by New Delhi.
According to Russian media, India has no alternative but to allocate the required funds, despite recent objections from the government’s accounting office, because the Indian Navy desperately needs to replace its INS Viraat, which, although currently operational, is now 50 years old.
After modernization, the carrier will join the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya, and is expected to be seaworthy for 30 years.
Admiral Gorshkov is a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier, originally named Baku.
The ship was laid down in 1978 at the Nikolayev South shipyard in Ukraine, launched in 1982, and commissioned with the Soviet Navy in 1987.
It was renamed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
In 1994, following a boiler room explosion, the Admiral Gorshkov sat in dock for a year for repairs. After a brief return to service in 1995, it was finally withdrawn from service in 1996 and put up for sale.
The ship’s displacement is 45,000 tons. It has maximum speed of 32 knots and an endurance of 13,500 nautical miles (25,000 km) at a cruising speed of 18 knots.
Russia, India to sign new deal on Admiral Gorshkov overhaul IDRW.ORG

 

[AJSINGH]

still its a goood deal

 

[RPK]

India pays $102 mn to speed up refit of Gorshkov

India has paid another staggering USD 102 million to Russia, to speed up refit work on the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, pending a final agreement on a huge price hike of almost USD 2 billion demanded by Moscow.

"The advance payment of USD 102 million has given a fillip to repairs and refit works. The workforce would be increased to 2500 for work in two shifts," spokesperson of the Sevmash shipyard Anastasia Nikitinskaya said as Russian officials committed that they would meet the 2012 delivery deadline.

The increasing delay in the delivery of the warship has been described by President Dmitry Medvedev as the 'sole irritant' in Indo-Russian relations.

The issue came up in the delegation level talks between President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and her Soviet counterpart on September 3, during her first state visit to the country.

Director General of Severodvinsk-based Sevmash shipyard Nikolai Kalistratov along with his Chief Engineer was also present at the talks held at Kremlin.

Under the initial USD 1.5 billion contract signed in New Delhi in January 2004, Russia was to deliver retrofitted aircraft carrier in August 2008.

However, the Sevmash shipyard later demanded that USD 974 million allocated for the upgradation of the 44.5 thousand ton vessel, given to the Indian Navy 'free of cost', was not sufficient and demanded an additional sum of USD 2.2 billion.

According to Chairman of Russian Technologies State Corporation, Sergei Chemezev, the talks are currently underway for negotiating a new agreement, which may be signed in mid-October.

An Indian delegation is expected in Moscow later this month to finalise the accord, even as media reports have suggested that New Delhi's final offer was to pay an additional amount of USD 1.2 billion.

Sources here say that although the cost escalation was a 'natural' process due to changed requirements of the Indian Navy, a lot of money paid by India had 'dried up' in the banks for almost four years, with practically no work done on the warship.

Upgradation of Gorshkov, to be inducted as INS Vikramaditya, is expected to be completed in 2011, after which it would undergo sea-trials for delivery in 2012.

 

[RPK]

Indian Navy to induct MiG-29 Ks by Oct- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

NEW DELHI: The first four ship-borne Russian-made Mig-29 K/KUB fighter jets, purchased for the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, will be inducted
in the Indian Navy by October, officials here said.

Pilot training for the squadron, to be named Black Panther, were completed in the US and Russia, said a senior Indian Navy official. The jets were purchased by the Indian Navy as part of the $740 million contract signed in January 2004 for Admiral Gorshkov, to be commissioned as INS Vikramaditya in the navy.

"The pilots were sent to US for deck landing training and the QFIs (qualified flying instructors) to Russia for conversion flying (for converting to different aircraft). The pilots will do the conversion flying in Goa under the supervision of QFIs," the official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Four to five batches comprising four pilots each had gone to the US for the deck landing training. As the 45,000-tonne Kiev class aircraft carrier Gorshkov is scheduled to be inducted in service only by 2011 after its refurbishment, the aircraft will be based on shore.

The navy will be getting 12 MiG 29K single-seater aircraft and four MiG 29KUB double-seater trainer aircraft in flyaway condition. The trainer version is similar to the single-seater but with a slightly reduced operational range. The contract also stipulates the procurement of hardware for pilot training and aircraft maintenance, including flight simulators, and interactive ground and sea-based training systems.

The MiG 29K have arrestor gear and stronger landing gear for carrier landings, folding wings and rust proofing to reduce corrosion from salt water. Features of the aircraft include a fully digitised glass cockpit, improved engine protection against ingestion of foreign particles (like birds), a multi-mode radar and increased range due to increase in internal fuel capacity.

The MiG-29K multi-role carrier-based fighter is designed to air cover the ship grouping, gain air superiority and destroy sea surface and ground targets with guided high-precision weapons, day and night, in any weather.

The aircraft, the first bought by the navy after the Sea Harriers, will also be capable of playing the role of an air refueller. The contract with MiG will ensure that the navy gets the entire spectrum of services, including a full mission simulator.

 

[shankarosky]

we need her -need her badly -atleast by 2015 we will have two very capable carriers and maybe Virat will still be there till second ADS is launched

 

[Dark Sorrow]

 

[SATISH]

The Russians are gaining experience in Indigenous ship building with Gorshkov and Indian orders in their ship yards. This helps them maintain the edge. People must read what all Changes the Indian modifications have put on the Gorshkov. The Gorshkov other than the hull is a totally new ship including the interiors the C&C system, office quarters, the engine and everything. Remember one thing people, Modifying a existing ship to modern standards is more difficult than building one brand new.

 

[StealthSniper]

I like the Gorshkov but I am not really digging the shape that much. You can see the helicopter carrying role it had in the Soviet Union alot more then the aircraft carrier it's going to become. I still think it will work well but the indigenous aircraft carrier we are making is a much better design. I do hope the third aircraft carrier we make is kinda like the American one with nuclear propulsion and around 60,000 to 100,000 tonnes.


Also the more I think about it the more I think Admiral Gorshkov is a good deal. It is old and they needed to change practically everything in it and the engine, cabling, new electronics doesn't come for free. But this ship also has to run for 25 to 30 years and I am a bit sceptical if the ship is going to operate smoothly for that long.

 

[RPK]

Gorshkov deal merely on ?visual examination?

New Delhi: India signed the multi-million dollar deal of decommissioned Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov merely on "visual examination in as-is condition" and the Navy "thought" ship could be repaired.

After signing the contract in 2004 and opening up of the equipment for detailed examination and survey of the state of the hull structure, systems and cabling, it emerged that these could not be repaired and hence would have to be replaced with new ones, says Vice Admiral SPS Cheema.


The contract for the aircraft carrier was signed in January 2004 for which the "work package was drawn up based on visual examination in 'as-is' condition wherein it was thought that the majority of equipment, systems and hull structures could be repaired while the electronic equipment could be renewed," Vice Admiral Cheema said in a reply to an RTI application filed by Subhash Chandra Agrwal.

"This has resulted in additional work and in the interest to endure operation efficacy of the ship, these additional works have been accepted for consideration. The extra works have in turn resulted in increase in the project cost," he said.

The deal which was signed for USD 974 million has escalated by about 300 per cent to USD 2.9 billion, according to sources.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India had also slammed the Indian Navy for the deal in which it would be "acquiring, belatedly, a second hand ship with a limited life span by paying significantly more than what it would have paid for a new ship."

The report without naming the ship said that it was not an aircraft carrier but more of a cruiser equipped with a flight deck which had to be configured for a different type of service from that of its original design.

"The vendor's shipyard that was to undertake the Repair and Re-equipping work, had neither repaired ships of this magnitude nor had any work experience on aircraft carriers," the report had said.

Vice-Admiral Cheema refuted the report saying that the "basis on which the report has arrived at such a conclusion is not known, as per the data available from Internet and other sources, a new carrier of size of Gorshkov, is likely to cost anything between USD 3 and 4 billion and that too understandably without the spares, training, infrastructure and documentation cost."

He said it is not feasible to buy a new aircraft carrier commercially off-the shelf.

"It may be noted that with the additional works being done on the ship, the carrier is almost going to be a new carrier with a service life equivalent to a new aircraft carrier," he said.

India had inked the package deal with Russia on January 20, 2004 which included the "gift" of the cruiser with payments being made only for the repair and re-equipping needed to convert it into an aircraft carrier and for the acquisition of certain fighter aircraft for it.

The delivery was to be made in 52 weeks with contract stipulating that ship's service life will be minimum 20 years, the RTI reply said.

The cost included USD 974 million, about Rs 4,880 crore as per CAG report, for the ship and additional Rs 4,047 crore for the fighter aircraft for it.

 

[Vladimir79]

I do hope the third aircraft carrier we make is kinda like the American one with nuclear propulsion and around 60,000 to 100,000 tonnes.

We have the same plans for 60,000 tonne CVN too. Let me tell you why I think it is a dumb idea for all countries to have CVNs. So you have this ship that can cruise around the world unfueled but what good does it do you? The ship has to have escorts, of which they will not be nuklear. So your carrier is still limited by the conventional ships around them. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Also the more I think about it the more I think Admiral Gorshkov is a good deal. It is old and they needed to change practically everything in it and the engine, cabling, new electronics doesn't come for free. But this ship also has to run for 25 to 30 years and I am a bit sceptical if the ship is going to operate smoothly for that long.

I won't argue the merits of it, but the refit of Gorshkov is comprehensive in every aspect. The reason it is taking so long is due to the total obsoletion of every system that was on that ship. The hull is being replaced and reinforced in many areas to give it that 30 year service life. No ship on earth has gone through such an extensive refit.

 

[RPK]

‘Gorshkov selected after visual examination’

The decision to ink the multi-million dollar deal to purchase decommissioned Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov was taken after a mere “visual examination” of the ship in “as is condition”, the Indian Navy has admitted.


The Navy said in a reply dated September 22, 2009, on a Right to Information (RTI) request that it went ahead with the deal based on the “thought” that repairs would make the ship sea-worthy.


But it was only after the “equipment was opened up” later for a “detailed examination of hull structures, systems, cabling, etc” that the Navy found that entire replacements and not repairs were necessary for the carrier.


“As per the contract signed in January 2004, the original package was drawn up based on visual examination in as-is condition wherein it was found that the majority of the equipment, systems could be repaired while the electronic equipment could be renewed,” Vice-Admiral S P S Cheema with the Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), wrote in his RTI reply.

He went on to say that later “on opening up the equipment for a detailed examination and survey of the state of the hull structures, systems, cabling, etc, it emerged that these could not be repaired and hence would have to be replaced with new ones”.


“These additionalities have resulted in the increase in project costs,” the Vice-Admiral said in his response to RTI applicant S C Aggarwal.


“Russian side has been intimated that the cost revision now proposed by them is final and no further additional ties will be accepted for negotiation. The same has been accepted by the Russian side,” he said, adding that the revised delivery date of the ship is in December 2012.


The Vice-Admiral stated that the carrier would be as good as new with a service life “equivalent of a new aircraft carrier” once the additional works are over.


He said that any statements to the effect that the carrier was an “old, outdated carrier is without factual basis”, while confirming that the ship would meet the requirements of the Indian Navy.


Replying to the question on how much a new aircraft carrier the size of Gorshkov would cost, he said: “It is not feasible to buy a new aircraft carrier commercially off the shelf”.


“A new carrier of the size of Gorshkov is likely to cost between 3 to 4 BUSD (billion US $) and that too understandably without spares, training, infrastructure and documents cost,” he said, refusing to delve further by citing that such information would be prejudicial to state interests.


Asked about the life-span of Gorshkov, Public Information Officer and Commander-At-Arms S K Gupta referred to the Internet in his reply that “a modern-day aircraft carrier has a life span of 30 to 40 years with regular refits and routine maintenance”.


“Existing contract stipulates the ship’s (Gorshkov) service life span to be a minimum of 20 years. Preliminary study shows that the lifespan after additional works is likely to be beyond 40 years,” Gupta said in his separate reply.

------------------------------------------

Praveen's comment

India Should go ahead with the purchase, it also Look for option like sea trail with Indian navy help in Indian ocean.

 

[Yusuf]

We have the same plans for 60,000 tonne CVN too. Let me tell you why I think it is a dumb idea for all countries to have CVNs. So you have this ship that can cruise around the world unfueled but what good does it do you? The ship has to have escorts, of which they will not be nuklear. So your carrier is still limited by the conventional ships around them. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Only the US can afford to have it in all sense of the word. They have the money to build and operate. And they are not limited by the conventional escort ships as they have bases all over the world and so they can take care of that. They just have to send tankers to fuel the escorts from a near by base.

 

[wild goose]

Never Trust A Used Carrier Salesman


September 29, 2009: Indian officers have admitted that they were partially at fault in the billion dollar aircraft carrier Gorshkov fiasco. It seems it was not all the fault of the Russians that the refurbishment of the decommissioned Russian carrier Gorshkov cost a billion dollars more, and took several years longer. The Indians admit that, when they signed the deal in 2004, they had not had engineers go over the Gorshkov, and agreed, after a cursory inspection, that many electrical and mechanical components, buried within the ships hull, were serviceable. It turned out that many of those components were not good-to-go, and had to be replaced, at great expense. Shortly after the contract was signed, the Russians discovered that the shipyard had misplaced the blueprints for the Gorshkov, and things went downhill from there.

After four years of haggling over Russian demands for more money, India agreed to pay about a billion dollars more, instead of the original (2004) agreed on $1.5 billion, for a Russian shipyard to refurbish an old, damaged, aircraft carrier (the Admiral Gorshkov) for Indian use. Last year, Russia threatened to give the Gorshkov back to the Russian Navy if the Indians didn't, come up with more money.

All this was a sad tale of bungling, corruption, greed and lost blueprints. Work on the 44,000 ton Gorshkov was about half completed, when it was supposed to have been delivered last year, and renamed the INS Vikramaditya. But now delivery has been delayed until 2012. The Russians admitted that this project suffered from inept planning, shoddy workmanship, and poor management, and they wanted India to pay for most of those mistakes. The Indians were not amused, and played hard ball, making much of the fact that India was now the biggest customer for Russian military exports. Russia was also aware that India was increasingly turning to more expensive (and more capable) Western arms suppliers.

The original price for the refurbishment of the of the Gorshkov was $1.5 billion. Building a Gorshkov type carrier today would cost about $4 billion, and take eight years. Two years ago, the Russians admitted there were problems, and demanded another half billion dollars to make it all right. India went along with that. But last year, the Russians raised the price again, and now wanted $3.5 billion for the job, and an additional four years. The Indians refused to pay. The Russians were willing to admit to mistakes and put things right, for a price. For example, the boss of Sevmash naval shipyard, when the Gorshkov deal was negotiated, was fired and under criminal investigation, on suspicion of financial mismanagement.

Naturally, the Indians were not happy with all this, and at first insisted that the Russian government (which owns many of the entities involved) make good on the original deal. India sent its own team of technical experts to Russia, and their report apparently confirmed what the Russians reported, about shipyard officials low-balling the cost of the work needed. This is a common tactic for firms building weapons for their own country. It gets more complicated when you try to pull that sort of thing on a foreign customer. The Russian government initially offered to cover some of the overrun cost. But then they insisted that India cover most of it, or lose the ship entirely. Nothing was said about whether or not the Indians would get any of their money refunded. As Indian anger rose, the Russians began to realize that they would have to eat most of the additional mistakes, or risk losing billions in future sales.

The Admiral Gorshkov entered service in 1987, but was inactivated in 1996 because it was too expensive to operate on a post Cold War budget. This attracted the attention of India, which was looking for a way to expand their carrier aviation capabilities. India is currently building another carrier, from scratch, but that 40,000 ton vessel won't be ready until 2015. India's sole current aircraft carrier, the 29,000 ton INS Viraat, just emerged from 18 months in a shipyard getting maintenance and upgrades, which left India with no carrier capability. This was to have been avoided by the timely arrival (last year) of the refurbished Russian carrier. If that had happened, the INS Viraat would have been retired in 2012, after 53 years service (for Britain and India). But now the INS Viraat will get its engine and hull refurbished, and its electronics upgraded, and possibly serve for another decade.

Under the terms of the new deal, the INS Vikramaditya will be ready for sea trials by the end of 2012. Thus by 2015, India will have two large carriers in operation, and some bitter memories of their experience with the Russians over the Gorshkov.

Naval Air: Never Trust A Used Carrier Salesman

 

[StealthSniper]

The indigenous aircraft carrier is going to be commisioned in 2014 right? If that's the case then in 2015 we would have 2 carriers which would be good considering we need to retire Viraat as soon as possible. I hope the 6 scorpene subs are also completed in around 2013-2015 also.

 

[p2prada]

The indigenous aircraft carrier is going to be commisioned in 2014 right? If that's the case then in 2015 we would have 2 carriers which would be good considering we need to retire Viraat as soon as possible. I hope the 6 scorpene subs are also completed in around 2013-2015 also.

Scorpene is set to finish only after 2017.

 

[RPK]

MilParade.ru | #34 | MiG-29K TO OPERATE FROM NEW AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

The MiG-29K program has been revived due to several reasons.
The first one is the desire of the Indian Navy to acquire the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier as a totally effective naval system. This called for the provision of the ship with a multi-role ship-based arrested- landing fighter of the MiG-29K size.

Both the versatility and small size of these fighters are their indispensable qualities. The aircraft engages both air targets (including those flying at an altitude of 20 to 60 m) and surface targets. The experience gained in various operations has demonstrated that shipborne aviation can effectively used against ground targets. The small size of the aircraft is essential for the Admiral Gorshkov, as it ensures their safe operation from the carrier's narrow deck, while fitting the dimensions of the hatches, hangar height and strength of the hangar deck.



The equipping of this naval ship with the MiG-29K aircraft makes it a very effective unit, capable of carrying a total of 30 MiG-29K planes and six helicopters. The ship's combat group will include 12 MiG-29K planes, i.e. its flying deck area can permit takeoff and landing of a combat group of this size. This characteristic is of extreme importance, because a further reduction of the combat group to a number below eight machines dramatically downgrades the potential of the aircraft carrier as an overall combat system. Another reason for using the MiG-29K planes is the consistent desire of the Indian Navy to build a light aircraft carrier having a displacement of some 24,000 t, and to have a unified aircraft for both this carrier and the Admiral Gorshkov (the latter has a full displacement of 45,200 t).

Finally, there is a general tendency in the world (except the USA) towards building, at the turn of the century, comparatively small aircraft carriers which have a relatively low construction and maintenance cost; these carriers will be the base for aircraft the size of the MiG-29K, Rafale-M, F/A-18. Currently, this idea is gradually gaining support in Russia. Such a design concept is being studied with a view towards the present economic realities, as well as the future tasks facing the Armed Forces. The Mikoyan Design Bureau has not stopped its work on the MiG-29K aircraft despite the lack of financing since 1992.

In 1984, under the Russian Air Force development program, the MiG-29K was conceived as a multi-role fighter and was supposed to be developed almost simultaneously with the Su-27K (Su-33). In 1989 - 1991 the MiG-29K underwent tests aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft-carrying cruiser simultaneously with the MiG-29M (a ground-based гtwinх of the MiG-29K). In December 1991, following these successful tests, Russia's Defense Ministry authorized the commencement of its series production and service with Russia's naval aviation, including its operation on board the Admiral Kuznetsov cruiser.

The MiG-29M and MiG-29K planes trebled the number of combat employment regimes in comparison with the fighters designed for engagement of air targets only. The number of guided weapon types carried by the aircraft was doubled, with air-to-ship, air-to-ground and air-to-radar heavy guided missiles added to their arsenal.

However, the aircraft was not launched into series production. December 1991 was the last month when Russia's Defense Ministry could purchase new types of aircraft, battle tanks or missiles. Since January 1992 to date, the situation has aggravated still more.

We know that the MiG-29 is precisely the kind of a multi-role aircraft needed today. Considering the fact that all the characteristics essential for a multirole fighter were incorporated into the MiG-29K at the design stage, and the aircraft has successfully passed all tests aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft-carrying cruiser, it can now be easily employed for operation from aircraft carriers.

Now, let us consider what the MiG-29K looked like in 1991, what it will look like in 2002 on board the Admiral Gorshkov, and what shape it will take in 2008 on board a light aircraft carrier?

The 1991-built MiG-29K differs from the MiG-29 production model by featuring a new multi-function radar, dubbed Zhuk; a cabin with monochrome display and use of the HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) principle; the RVV-AE air-to-air active homing missiles; antiship and antiradar missiles; as well as air-to-ground precision-guided weapons.

The aircraft has a remote control system, large-area (42 m2 vs 38 m2) folding wing, adjustable center-line air intakes with retractable screens protecting the engines during operation from ground airfields, reinforced landing gear, hook, corrosion- protected reinforced fuselage made specifically for deck-based aircraft, better view from the cockpit, more effective high-lift devices for landing and takeoff modes, and new air-brake flaps. The enhanced thrust engine has an emergency rating for takeoff from the deck. The internal fuel load was increased to 4,560 kg vs 3,340 kg of the series-produced MiG-29 largely due to the removal of the upper air intake inlets. The payload was also increased. The maximum weight of the aircraft grew from 19.5 to 22.4 t. Composite materials were widely used to manufacture its structural elements. Advanced alloys were also used, but to a lesser extent.



The aircraft can engage air targets, including low-flying ones, as well as destroy ships and ground targets with precision-guided weapons.

During its tests aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft-carrying cruiser, the aircraft had a springboard-assisted takeoff from strips 195 m and 95 m long. According to the results of the tests, the landing accuracy proved to be very high, which made it possible at a later stage to switch over to a three-cable arrester system on the Admiral Gorshkov.

The 2002-built MiG-29K will feature better cockpit avionics with versatile liquid-crystal color displays. The cockpit was tested by Russian Air Force pilots on the MiG-29SMT fighters and was approved by them. The Indian Air Force pilots also flew the MiG-29SMTs and they also greatly appreciated the information-control field facilities of the cockpit.

The potential of the aircraft's navigational systems will be markedly increased through the installation of a satellite navigation system which has also successfully passed tests aboard the MiG-29SMT aircraft. The capabilities of airborne computers and weapons control systems will be enhanced as well.

The reduced weight and space required of the onboard equipment will help increase the internal fuel load, as compared to the 1991-built MiG-29K. The aircraft operated from an aircraft carrier will have an effective radius of 850 km for air combat and 1,150 km for antiship and strike operations (without refueling).

The aircraft has retained the in-flight refueling system. An aerial tanker version of the MiG-29K has also been developed.

The aircraft armament comprises the RVV-AE air-to-air active homing missiles; the R-27R1 semi-active homing missiles; the R-27ER1 increased-range missiles; the R-73, R-27E1, R-27TE1 heat-seeking missiles; the Kh-31A and Kh-35 antiship missiles; the TV-guided weapons; and, with an optional sight pod installed, laser weapons. An open-type architecture of the aircraft enables it to carry foreign-made weapons as well.

The landing accuracy is additionally enhanced through the employment of an autothrottle system. The takeoff characteristics make it possible to perform 90 percent of flights under tropical conditions when the carrier ship speed is 10 knots.

The assortment of the onboard equipment has been thought over with due consideration for the possible use by India of existing repair and maintenance facilities supplied at different times to it to service 70 MiG-29Bs. Engines can be overhauled in India.

The RD-33 series-III engine, a record holder in terms of total service life and reliability among the Russian-made fighter engines, will have an increased takeoff thrust, as well as extra corrosion protection.

Aluminum-lithium alloys used in some structural members have been excluded because of their high cost.

A 2008-built MiG-29K model will be a further development of the 2002-built version. However, all the novelties will be incorporated in a manner allowing their use on the aircraft supplied previously.

The intelligence of the airborne radar digital computer will be dramatically increased without changing the hardware.

The range of combat missions can be increased by adding optronic sight pods as well as radar, infrared imaging and reconnaissance equipment. The takeoff characteristics will be improved to increase the combat load of the aircraft operated from a light aircraft carrier using a smaller-size springboard.

The time is not ripe yet to disclose all the details of these projects, but we can say now that the MiG-29K, according to the Mikoyan Design Bureau estimates, has a significant potential due to its excellent aerodynamics and suitable dimensions

 

[Vladimir79]

Only the US can afford to have it in all sense of the word. They have the money to build and operate. And they are not limited by the conventional escort ships as they have bases all over the world and so they can take care of that. They just have to send tankers to fuel the escorts from a near by base.

So what is the point of the nuklear carrier? They can refuel from those bases too. They are just as limited as conventional ships since they must be protected by them.