Article Posted on : - Feb 07, 2011

The MiG-29 fighters of Indian Air Force.

MOSCOW (BNS): A refurbished MiG-29 fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been flight tested by Russia's MiG Corporation last week.

The first flight test of a modernised MiG-29UPG fighter was conducted on February 4, Ria Novosti reported.

The flight lasted for an hour and was flawless, the news agency said, quoting a statement by MiG.

The Russian aircraft maker has been awarded a contract worth over $850 to upgrade 69 MiG fighters operated by the IAF.

The contract, awarded in 2008, entails upgrading the warplane from an interceptor and air superiority aircraft to a fighter-bomber capable of striking mobile and stationary targets on the ground and at sea with high-precision weapons under all weather conditions.

The modernised MiG fighters would feature advanced avionics, new multi-functional Zhuk-M radars, revamped engines and new weapon control systems, which would enhance their service life from 25 to 40 years.

The fighters would also be equipped with air-to-air refuelling capability to increase flying time.

Of the 69 fighters, Russia will upgrade six and the remaining 63 will be upgraded by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in India.

The upgradation programme however, has been marred by delays. The first upgraded MiG-29 was scheduled to fly to India in March 2010.