Russia's RAC MiG Corporation has carried out the first test flight of an upgraded MiG-29 fighter for the Indian Air Force's $900 million upgrade programme for the fourth generation combat jets.
The maiden test flight of the MiG-29UPG took place at Zhukovski airfield of M M Gromov Flight Research Institute.
...
Russia tests upgraded MiG-29 fighter for IAF
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 remarks," RAC MiG said in a release e-mailed to PTI.
The flight was performed by Chief of Flight Service, senior test pilot of RAC "MiG", the Hero of Russia Michael Belyaev.
Russia tests upgraded MiG-29 fighter for IAF
The first six aircraft are being upgraded in Russia while the remaining 63 will be refitted by HAL in India.
These upgrades include a new avionics kit, with its older radar being replaced by a Fazatron Zhuk-M radar.
Russia tests upgraded MiG-29 fighter for IAF
The aircraft is also being equipped to enhance BVR (beyond-visual-range) combat ability and for mid-air refuelling to increase flying time.
Under the project Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) acquired a license in 2007 for the assembly of 120 RD-33 series 3 turbojet engines for the upgraded jets.
article