IAF Approves Multi-Million Initiative to Enhance MiG-29 Fleet with Improved Engines and Extended Service Life

A multi-million dollar initiative has been approved by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to acquire improved engines and extend the service life of its fleet of MiG-29 frontline fighter jets, constituting a major step towards improving India's air defence capabilities. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and its Russian partners are working together on this important endeavour.

The authorised deal, estimated to be worth Rs 5,300 crore, will see the production of new, cutting-edge engines for the IAF fleet's current MiG-29UPG aircraft.

In addition, the IAF has started a second life extension programme for its fleet of frontline fighter jets, MiG-29, with the goal of increasing the aircraft's lifespan from 40 to 50 years. In order to maintain the MiG-29 fleet's operational efficacy, this massive project will be carried out at the IAF's No. 11 Base Repair Depot close to Nashik.

The choice of engines for the MiG-29 fleet is an essential aspect of the modernization programme. Although it's unclear if the engines will be the improved RD-33MK (Sea Wasp) engines found in the Indian Navy's MiG-29K ship-borne fighter or the RD-33 series-3 engines currently found on the MiG-29UPG fleet. Both options offer notable improvements in durability and performance.

RD-33MK engine uses more contemporary materials and has better cooling mechanisms in its blade construction, together with improved afterburner thrust and decreased dry weight, it produces 7% more power than the baseline model.

Originally scheduled to begin retirement in 2029, the IAF now intends to retain the Mig-29UPG Squadrons until 2035, when Tejas MkII fighter jets will take their place.

 

[Pramkumar]

Instead of Russian engines, IAF must try with Kaveri Engine, as this will help to improve and instill the confidence on Indian engines.

 

[AK S]

Not even 10 years and again a new engine upgrade that means the engines are practically unused. Why the h*ll are they going for the engine upgrade now !?

IAF should have used this engine in the last upgrade itself - the engine was available and in fact it is used in naval MiG 29. Future Military planning has not been forte of our forces, more so for IAF.

 

[Ashutosh]

IAF should have used this engine in the last upgrade itself - the engine was available and in fact it is used in naval MiG 29. Future Military planning has not been forte of our forces, more so for IAF.

Absolutely right!

The engine was in use still 🤦

 

[Akshay]

hope they do the same with SU-30 swapping AL-41F1 for the old AL-31 engine, we could also license build AL-41F1 engine.

AL-41F1 is not as efficient as F404 and the Maintenance cost is even more... Indian Bureaucracy delays, it takes time but falter rate is very minimum,

 

[Pink Panther]

AL-41F1 is not as efficient as F404 and the Maintenance cost is even more... Indian Bureaucracy delays, it takes time but falter rate is very minimum,

Nobody asked to use AL-41F1 engine in Tejas.

 

[Rajesh]

Perhaps India should order 14 more Rafale-Ms to make it 40 and allocate 20 each to two carriers, and then transfer all the 45 Mig-29Ks to IAF to upgrade them to Mig-29UPGs.
This way carrier supply chain will be streamlined to only one fighter.
And IAF will gain 2.5 squadrons and some time to build up fighter inventory.

Then how will u use a flying aircraft from vikramaditya carrier. It's lift is positioned in the central and not like vikrant facing the sea. Only mig 29k or naval Tejas can be used from vikramaditya untill tedbf comes.

 

[NSR]

Then how will u use a flying aircraft from vikramaditya carrier. It's lift is positioned in the central and not like vikrant facing the sea. Only mig 29k or naval Tejas can be used from vikramaditya untill tedbf comes.

Saw both elevators on Defence Decode.
Does not matter facing sea or not.
Only matters if it fits in the elevator for movement. Hope it does.

 

[Rajesh]

Saw both elevators on Defence Decode.
Does not matter facing sea or not.
Only matters if it fits in the elevator for movement. Hope it does.

Vikramaditya has an elevator which is in the central only mig 29k or Tejas can fit it .tedbf is being made considered that . Rafales can't fit the elevator of vikramaditya .