IAF's MRCA contract: Russia's MiG 35 flies into the ring
24 Jan 2007
Lukhovitsy, Moscow Region, Russia: Russia has officially thrown its hat into the ring for the supply of 126 fighter aircraft to the Indian air force. A RIA Novosti report, dated 9 January, quotes Russian deputy premier, and also defence minister, Sergei Ivanov, as saying that Russia and the MiG corporation would participate in the tender.
India plans to buy 126 multi role combat aircraft (MRCA) for its air force, for about $4 billion. Industry experts, and arms manufacturers, estimate that in totality the deal could eventually be worth about $9 billion.
"India will soon announce a tender for a large shipment of light fighters," Novosti quoted Sergei Ivanov, as saying. "Russia and the MiG Corporation will proactively participate in the tender."
According to the report, Ivanov also said that he was planning to visit India in the near future to discuss the fighter deal with Indian officials.
The re-designated MiG-35, is an export version of the MiG-29M OVT (Fulcrum F), a highly manoeuvrable air superiority fighter. The aircraft went on display for the first time in August 2005 during the MAKS Air Show outside Moscow.
Powered by RD-33 OVT thrust vectoring control engines, the MiG 35 displays outstanding manoeuvrability, providing it with unmatched performance in close air-to-air engagements.
The vector control engines have also led the MiG 35 to be dubbed as a "mini-Sukhoi," a reference to the unique air superiority Su-30 MKI fighters already in service with the Indian air force.
"The unique performance characteristics of this aircraft are based on the RD-33 OVT thrust vectoring control engines," Novosti quoted an official at the Klimov Design Bureau as saying. Klimov manufactures the RD-33 OVT engines.
The Russian MiG-35 will compete with U.S., Swedish and French jet fighters in the Indian tender. In early 2005, the U.S. administration had approved the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan, India's traditional foe.
The Indian tender for fighter aircrafts is one of the most sought after defence contracts in the global arms market.
