Friday, February 4 2005 11:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: As part of the $ 1.5 billion Gorshkov deal signed in January 2004, Russia's MiG Corporation is to develop and supply 12 MiG-29K single-seater fighters with multi-role capabilities and 4 twin-seater MiG-29KUB combat-cum-trainer aircraft for $ 740 million.

"The serial production of the planes has already commenced, the work is moving ahead strictly per-schedule," Director General of RAC MiG told reporters in Moscow, allaying fears about a delay in the deliveries due to financial problems of the corporation.

Fedorov, who has been the point-man in the successful implementation of Sukhoi Su-30MKI deal, was appointed MiG chief last year by the Russian Government to salvage MiG-29K deal with India.

"The fact that we have received second tranche of the advance payment from the Indian Government is an indication that things are moving ahead strictly on schedule," Fedorov said.

"The representatives of the customer (Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence) have access to MiG design bureau and production units to constantly monitor the implementation of the deal," Fedorov added.

Russia is to complete the deliveries of carrier based MiG-29K jets in 2009 with the induction of Admiral Gorshkov carrier by the Indian Navy, most probably as INS Vikramaditya.

India has an option of ordering another 30 carrier-based MiG-29K fighters for two indigenously developed Air-Defence ships (ADS) till year 2015.

Fedorov said that although there has been progress in the supply of MiG spares to India the issue would be finally resolved 'maximum' in two years.

"This is a very complex and difficult issue, due to a large nomenclature of spares and different models of MiG aircraft in service in India, including MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, MiG-29 and so on. However, the main problem is Russia's internal laws, which make the supply of military spares to foreign countries very difficult, it would take an year, maximum two years to resolve this problem," Fedorov said.

With the appointment of Fedorov, as the new chief, RAC MiG has decided to jump in the fray for the Indian tender for the supply of 126 fighters for replacing 40-year-old ageing MiG-21 fleet, which has a high accident rate.

Russia is to pitch its newly developed MiG-29M and M2 multi-role combat aircraft against the US F-16, French Mirage 2000, 2005, Anglo-Swedish BAE-SAAB 'Grippen' in the tough competition.

"RAC MiG is to offer the license production of MiG-29M and MiG-29M2 to India, once tender is announced," Fedorov underscored.