MAPO wins Indian naval contract according to Nikitin

Published: 12/7/1999

Embattled producer MAPO has succeeded in landing the contract to provide navalised MiG-29Ks for the fighter group on the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, currently in the midst of negotiations for sale to the Indian Navy after a refit. The contract, reported to be worth between $600-800 million in earlier reports, involves 60 MiG-29Ks. The win for MAPO, will be the sweeter, as it was won against heavy competition from a number of aircraft, but particularly its arch rivals the Su-33, which was chosen over the MiG29K for the Russian naval requirement. India according to Nikolai Nikitin, General Director of MAPO, will build the aircraft under licence. The Indian Navy currently operates a number of Harriers and Sea Harriers from its existing carrier, the INS Viraat, which will go out of service in 2010.The Indians plan to build another carrier before 2010 and it is reported that the MiG-29K"s relatively light weight was seen as a positive advantage, as the carrier is likely to be substantially smaller than the Admiral Gorshkov. Associated articles: www.concise.org 6th October 1999

Article ID: 1186