The MiG-29K is a Russian-built, carrier-capable, all-weather multirole fighter that serves as the primary fixed-wing combat aircraft aboard the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, undertaking fleet air-defence, anti-ship and strike roles.[1]
Optimised for carrier operations, the MiG-29K features enlarged, folding wings, a strengthened, corrosion-protected fuselage, and an arrestor hook, allowing it to operate from India’s Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR)-configured carriers without catapult assistance. It is powered by two RD-33MK engines fitted with a smokeless combustion chamber and a full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) system, giving it a ferry range of around 2,000 km.[1]
INS Vikramaditya is designed to carry up to 24 MiG-29K/KUB fighters as its principal strike/fighter component, with the type also forming the core fast-jet element of INS Vikrant’s air wing. The type has been progressively integrated with Indian-developed weapons including the NASM-MR anti-ship missile.[1][2]
| Type | Carrier-based, all-weather multirole fighter |
| Manufacturer | Mikoyan (Russia) |
| Engines | 2× RD-33MK, FADEC-controlled |
| Ferry range | ~2,000 km |
| Carrier compatibility | STOBAR (INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant) |
| Carrier air-wing size | Up to 24 (Vikramaditya) |
| In service since | 2010 |
| User | Indian Navy |