India Signs $2.4 Billion Contract for 33 New Russian Fighters and Major MiG-29 Upgrades

The Indian Defence Ministry has approved a major contract to modernise the Air Force’s combat fleet with new Russian armaments, which will include the purchase of 33 fourth and ‘4+ generation’ fighters and upgrades to 59 of the service’s older aircraft. This comes amid ongoing tensions with Chinese forces following clashes in the Galwan Valley area, and following growing calls within India for military action. New aircraft purchased include 12 Su-30MKI heavyweight and 21 MiG-29UPG medium weight fighters, both of which are already operated in significant numbers by the Air Force. The fighters are respectively considered the first and third most capable in the Indian inventory, with over 270 Su-30s in service and over 150 MiG-29s either in service or on order. Both fighters are prized for their high flight performances and access to a wide range of munitions types including R-77 active radar guided long range air to air missiles. India was the first foreign operator of the MiG-29, ordering the MiG-29A the year it joined the Soviet Air Force in 1982. The enhanced UPG variant is widely considered the most capable variant of the fighter.

Russian assistance in upgrading more of India’s MiG-29 fleet to the UPG standard will provide a significant qualitative boost to multiple squadrons, with the enhanced fighters boasting superior avionics, sensors and electronic warfare systems. The MiG-29UPG and Su-30MKI are both considered more capable than any fighter in Pakistani service, although their ability to counter modern Chinese fighters such as the J-16s deployed near the Indian border remains questionable. Orders for new fighters will help the Indian Air Force to meet its target of expanding to 40 squadrons, although it has also highlighted the need for India to acquire more modern or capable aircraft. The country is currently reportedly planning acquisitions of MiG-35 ‘4++ generation’ medium weight fighters which will bridge the technological gap with the Chinese fleet. Other options under consideration include acquiring Russia’s Su-57 next generation stealth fighter and possibly upgrading the Su-30MKI to a ‘4++ generation’ standard using Su-35 technologies. All three options have been offered by Russia, and could be taken in the coming five years.