Mikoyan MiG-29K

Overview

The Mikoyan MiG-29K (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29K; NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-D) 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. The production standard MiG-29Ks differ from prototypes in features such as a multi-function radar and several new cockpit displays, 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. In the early 1990s only two MiG-29K prototypes were built because the Russian Navy preferred the Su-27K (later re-designated Su-33). Mikoyan continued its MiG-29K development despite the lack of financing since 1992. The programme received a boost in the late 1990s with India's requirement for a ship-borne fighter following the purchase of a former Soviet aircraft carrier. India received its first MiG-29K 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.