India to get MiG-29s for Admiral Gorshkov

India would start receiving the first of the 16 MiG-29k fighters from Russia in 2007 for deployment on aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

Russia's MiG Corporation has been developing 12 carrier-based MiG-29K single-seater fighters and four twin-seater MiG-29KUB combat-cum-trainer aircraft as part of the $1.5 billion Gorshkov deal signed in January 2004.

"The serial production of the planes has already commenced, the work is on schedule," Director General of RAC MiG, Alexei Fedorov said.

Fedorov, who has been the pointman in the successful implementation of Sukhoi Su-30MKI deal, was appointed MiG chief in 2004 by the Russian government to salvage its MiG-29K deal with India.

"The fact that we have received the second tranche of the advance payment from the Indian government is an indication that things are on schedule," he said.

"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 the MiG-29K jets in 2009.