Arun Prakash would fly a MIG-29 fighter in Moscow next week as part of India's intense preparations for inducting the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.
It will be the first time an Indian Navy chief flying a fighter in a foreign country.
NEW DELHI: Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash would fly a MIG-29 fighter in Moscow next week as part of India's intense preparations for inducting the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. It would probably be the first time that an Indian Navy chief will be flying a fighter in a foreign country.
The MIG-29 fighter will have configurations similar to the MIG-29K, being developed for the Indian Navy. The MIG-29K would be based on the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov that is to join Indian Navy in 2008-09.
During his week-long trip to Russia starting next Monday, Admiral Prakash would undertake extensive review of the ongoing refit and modernisation of the Russian carrier Gorshkov, to be renamed as INS Vikramaditya. The work on the ship is underway in Severnoye SY in Severodvinsk in Russia.
Vikramaditya's induction by the end of 2008 or early 2009 would be the biggest leap in Indian naval capabilities. On board the 44,570-ton carrier would be MIG-29K fighters, being custom-made for India. Russians have already developed trial versions of the MIG-29K and but this version is yet to get full flying certifications.
The Navy chief, who was awarded for bravery as a fighter pilot during 1971 war against Pakistan, would also become the first Indian pilot to fly the MIG-29 version with capabilities being projected for the new carrier-born version. During his weeklong visit to Moscow, Prakash is also expected to review other naval projects underway in Russia.
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