India is modernizing MiG-29 fighter jets to use long-range missiles

9 November, 2023 Indian naval aviation technical personnel near the Rampage missile. Photo credits: Indian Navy The Ministry of Defense of India has decided to modernize its existing fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets to use long-range missiles.

Janes reported on this. The decision was made amid the Chinese Air Force's strengthening with new J-16 and J-20 fighter jets and their deployment in the border areas. Modernization of the MiG-29UPG aircraft will include the installation of a new digital interface, modernization of the mounts and power supply system, and creation of new launchers.

Exterior of the Rampage missile.

Photo credits: Israel Aerospace Industries

According to the plan, the aircraft modernization process should take 12 months from the contract's signing to purchase launchers.

According to a document from the Ministry of Defense of India, there is an urgent need to integrate air-to-ground missiles to be used with MiG-29 fighter jets to their full operational potential.

According to an anonymous representative of the Indian Ministry of Defense, this integration is aimed at preparing MiG-29 fighter jets to use Israeli Rampage missiles. The missiles of this type have a maximum range of 250 km and a maximum speed of 1.6 M. The 150-kg warhead can destroy most ground targets, and using an infrared camera ensures high accuracy.

MiG-29UPG fighter jet of the Indian Air Force.

Photo credits: IAF

The Rampage missile is designed to hit important targets such as radar stations, communication centers, weapons depots, and airfields. The long range of the missile will allow the carrier aircraft to avoid the area of operation of enemy air defense systems. Militarnyi previously reported that the Indian Air Force plans to independently modernize Su-30 MKI fighter jets manufactured in the country under a Russian license.

According to Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Commander of the Indian Air Force, the technical parameters of these aircraft's "major" modernization are being clarified. "We have decided that this upgrade will be carried out at local enterprises. The modernization will include adaptation for the fighter jets to use Indian-made weapons, electronic warfare systems, etc.

We are considering upgrading 84 Su-30MKI in the first tranche," Chaudhari said.