New Delhi, Jun 9 (PTI) With its air combat capability severely hit by a series of crashes and mishaps at sea, the Indian Navy has finalised bold plans to revive its air strength by buying more frontline fighters and helicopters. The force has finalised global tenders to acquire troop carrying and anti-submarine helicopters as well as to upgrade its fleet of Seaking and Kamov-28 helicopters.
Under new plans, the Navy would acquire more of the MiG-29K fighters from Russia as a follow up order to 16 such fighters, which are expected to arrive in India by next month, Naval sources said. Navy would begin to induct the MiG-29 fighters when the first batch of four aircraft would fly into Naval air station at Goa. "The delivery of the fighters meant to operate from the carrier INS Vikramaditya is on schedule even though a deadlock still persists on the handing over of the carrier after a price hike demanded by Moscow," an official said.
They said along with moves to buy more MiG fighters, request for proposals had been finalised for undertaking midlife upgrades of Seaking-B and Kamov-28 helicopters. Navy has 14 Seaking anti-submarine and troop carrying helicopters and 12 Kamov choppers.
Under new plans, the Navy would acquire more of the MiG-29K fighters from Russia as a follow up order to 16 such fighters, which are expected to arrive in India by next month, Naval sources said. Navy would begin to induct the MiG-29 fighters when the first batch of four aircraft would fly into Naval air station at Goa. "The delivery of the fighters meant to operate from the carrier INS Vikramaditya is on schedule even though a deadlock still persists on the handing over of the carrier after a price hike demanded by Moscow," an official said.
They said along with moves to buy more MiG fighters, request for proposals had been finalised for undertaking midlife upgrades of Seaking-B and Kamov-28 helicopters. Navy has 14 Seaking anti-submarine and troop carrying helicopters and 12 Kamov choppers.
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