Indian Navy inducts the MiG-29K

[sancho]

I read it some where that Su-33 has to reduce its weapons capacity to same as MIG 29 due to short take offs from the carrier..Is there any truth in it?

I read somewhere that they have to start with only a little fuel and will be refuelled in air, otherwise they couldn't taker off with a useful weaponload. That is the disadvantage of a STOBAR carrier, but much lighter Mig 29K won't have this big problems. That is also the reason why Russia won't upgrade their Su 33 and will replace them also with Mig 29Ks till somewhere in future navalised Pak Fa will arrive.

How does this compare with multi-role fighters of other nations? Is this seen as an "advanced fighter" of India, or is it more mediocre?

Average I would say! Without AESA, less payload and the disadvantage of STOBAR take off (more fuel needed to start, so less weaponload compared to CATOBAR) it won't be competetive to actual F18SH and Rafale. Not to mention that F35 of US and Australian Navy will clearly be superior.
However, for our short term needs in air defense and anti ship warfare they will be good and clearly better than N-LCAs. After 2020 we will see N-FGFA for sure and possibly bigger CATOBAR carriers.

 

[AchtungSpitfire]

Ivan sure can design pretty lookin' birds.

 

[arya]

I read somewhere that they have to start with only a little fuel and will be refuelled in air, otherwise they couldn't taker off with a useful weaponload. That is the disadvantage of a STOBAR carrier, but much lighter Mig 29K won't have this big problems. That is also the reason why Russia won't upgrade their Su 33 and will replace them also with Mig 29Ks till somewhere in future navalised Pak Fa will arrive.


Average I would say! Without AESA, less payload and the disadvantage of STOBAR take off (more fuel needed to start, so less weaponload compared to CATOBAR) it won't be competetive to actual F18SH and Rafale. Not to mention that F35 of US and Australian Navy will clearly be superior.
However, for our short term needs in air defense and anti ship warfare they will be good and clearly better than N-LCAs. After 2020 we will see N-FGFA for sure and possibly bigger CATOBAR carriers.

how u know, r u jyotishy

 

[sudhir007]

what is STOBAR & CATOBAR and what is the different between them

 

[gambit]

what is STOBAR & CATOBAR and what is the different between them

CATOBAR - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
STOBAR - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[grey boy 2]

Atlast we agree on some thing... yes i too think the flankers are better..

Hey, seiko buddy, right on, Atlast we agree on something;

And i call it a new break through, hope we can built on this.

BTW, Mig-29k looks really good from the pictures posted.

 

[sancho]

how u know, r u jyotishy

Simply by looking at the specs!
It has only 7 weapon stations (+ 1 more for targeting pod) and 2 of them will most likely have to carry fuel tanks. Add 2 WVR and 2 BVR missiles, which are normal for any mission and the N-LCA can only carry one more bomb, or anti ship missile.
The Mig instead should have more internal fuel and even if 2 external fuel tanks would be needed, there are still 7 weapon stations for the same number of a2a weapons and 3 more a2g weapons left.
Be it in air defense, or ground attack missions the Mig is clearly better than the N-LCA, the only points where it could have some advantages are RCS and possibly radar tech, because of AESA radar that LCA MK2 will get.

 

[tricrule]

Any one seen pics of the single seat version; saw it in Air International but cant find online.