Upgraded for India MiG-29UPG performs maiden flight

The maiden test flight of the upgraded for India MiG-29UPG took place at Zhukovsky airfield near Moscow on February 4, 2010. RAC "MiG" has successfully performed upgrade of MiG-29 fighter to MiG-29UPG version for the Indian Air Force. The duration of the flight was about 1 hour and has passed without incident. The flight was performed by Chief of Flight Service, senior test pilot of RAC "MiG", Michael Beljaev, a MiG statement said. India had signed a $960 million contract with Russia in 2008 to upgrade five squadrons of MiG-29 fighters which are nearly 20 years old. The upgrade involves increasing the service life of approximately 69 MiG-29s, from the present 25 years (2,500 flight hours) to 40 years (3,500 hours). The upgrades are also expected to turn these air-superiority fighters into competent all-weather multi-role jets with beyond-visual-range combat capabilities. While the first six MiG-29s will be upgraded in Russia, the rest will be retrofitted by HAL in Nasik, India. The upgrade programme includes replacing existing radars with the advanced multi-functional Zhuk-ME radar and a new weapon control system. The twin-engined MiG-29s will carry sophisticated air-to-air missiles, high-accuracy air-to-ground missiles and 'smart aerial' bombs. The Russian RAC MiG company will also plough back 30 per cent of the contract value into India by setting up consignment depots and service centres, along with simulator centres with training aids.