Since the first flight in 1988, the accidents in 2011, 2016, 2019, and 2020 are just one of the sad marks of the MiG-29K
a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau
The MiG-29K (NATO designation: Fulcrum-D) was developed in the late 1970s, based on the MiG-29M multirole fighter
According to Mikoyan, the MiG-29K is a 4++ generation fighter, equivalent to Sukhoi's Su-35S
The completed MiG-29K version differed considerably from the MiG-29 model, featuring a new multi-function radar, dubbed Zhuk
a cockpit with monochrome display and use of the HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) principle
the RVV-AE air-to-air active homing missiles; antiship and antiradar missiles; as well as air-to-ground precision-guided weapons
To protect the engine from foreign object damage, the engine inlets were fitted with retractable grills for air flow
rather than metal doors and leading-edge extension auxiliary intake louvres used by land-based MiG-29s
The aircraft is applied many technologies to reduce the radar cross section
The use of radar-absorbing paint makes the radar cross-section of the MiG-29K 4-5 times lower than that of the original MiG-29 version
The RD-33MK engine is also improved, helping to limit the infrared exposure of the aircraft
Combined with electronic warfare equipment and long-range weapons, the combat survivability of the MiG-29K is very high
Since its inception, the MiG-29K has had to go through many ups and downs
The Soviet Union did not choose the MiG-29K but ordered the Su-33 fighter to equip the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
although this fighter is said to have inferior features compared to the MiG-29K
The main reason is that the Su-33 has a low take-off and landing speed
ensuring the safety of aircraft carrier operations, and the range is also superior to the MiG-29K
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the MiG-29K project had to be suspended due to lack of funds
In 1991, India ordered 12 single-seat MiG-29Ks and four two-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft
Deliveries began in December 2009. Before handing over, the aircraft were tested on board the Admiral Kuznetsov
In January 2010, India and Russia signed an agreement to buy 29 more MiG-29Ks worth $1.2 billion
The Indian Navy started commissioning this aircraft in February 2010
All MiG-29Ks are stationed at INS Hansa base until India receives the delivery of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia
However, the MiG-29K order was suspended after a MiG-29KUB crashed during testing
The accident cast a shadow over the reliability of this fighter
The Russian investigation concluded that the plane crashed due to pilot error, there were no technical problems with the aircraft
By the end of 2012, sea trials of the Indian Navy's MiG-29K/KUB were completed
In 2016, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) released a report on the project to buy MiG-29K fighters
CAG criticized the aircraft for serious problems such as engines and avionics
The operational efficiency of the Indian MiG-29K is in the range of 16-39%
which means that only 3 out of 10 aircraft are ready to operate, the rest are on the ground for maintenance
The Russian Navy ordered only 24 MiG-29Ks at the end of 2009 to replace the Su-33 fighters on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
The official order was signed in early 2012
Military experts believe that the fate of this potential fighter will be more difficult with the recent crash of the MiG-29KUB