Fighter Aircraft
MiG-29K
The MiG-29K is a carrier-based multirole fighter made by RSK MiG in Russia and operated by the Indian and Russian navies. Derived from the land-based MiG-29, it has been in service with India since 2013 and is a fourth-generation, non-stealth aircraft.
Russia|RSK MiGOverview
RSK MiG developed the MiG-29K from the MiG-29; its first flight was on 23 July 1988 and a MiG-29K made the first Soviet carrier landing on 1 November 1989. The Soviet programme ended in the early 1990s. Compared with the land-based fighter it has a larger wing, folding wings, reinforced landing gear, more internal fuel and an arrestor hook. Two Klimov RD-33MK engines give a top speed near Mach 2.0, and the Zhuk-ME radar, an OLS-UEM infrared sensor and fly-by-wire controls form its core systems.
India revived the type with a 2004 contract for 16 aircraft for INS Vikramaditya, followed by 29 more in 2010, for 45 in total. The jets also fly from INS Vikrant, commissioned in 2022, though Indian audits have criticised serviceability and RD-33MK engine problems. Russia ordered 20 in 2012 and had 24 by 2016; one was lost near Syria on 14 November 2016. India has since ordered 26 Rafale M jets as a complement. The MiG-35 derives from the MiG-29K/KUB family.
Key Specifications
Variants
The MiG-29K is the single-seat carrier fighter with folding wings and arrestor hook.
The MiG-29KUB is the two-seat variant used for both training and combat missions.
The MiG-35 is a later land-based multirole derivative of the same family, with an AESA radar option.
Operators
Russia
IndiaFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the MiG-29K cost?
The MiG-29K costs an estimated 30 to 40 million US dollars per aircraft, though no official list price exists. India’s 2004 deal for 16 jets was worth about 740 million dollars and its 2010 order of 29 about 1.2 billion.
How fast is the MiG-29K?
The MiG-29K has a maximum speed of about Mach 2.0, or roughly 2,200 km/h. Its service ceiling is about 17,500 m and its combat radius is about 850 km, according to the specifications listed here.
How many MiG-29K does India have?
India operates about 40 or more MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighters, from an order of 45. They fly from the carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, and the exact fleet number is approximate.
MiG-29K vs Rafale M: which is better?
The Dassault Rafale M is generally regarded as the more modern deck fighter, with greater payload and newer sensors, while the MiG-29K is older and cheaper. India ordered 26 Rafale M in April 2025 as a complement to the MiG-29K.
Is the MiG-29K stealth?
The MiG-29K is not stealth; it is a fourth-generation fighter. It carries a folding wing and arrestor hook for carrier use but has no low-observable shaping, and it is armed with R-73, R-77, Kh-31 and Kh-35 missiles.
Which countries use the MiG-29K?
Only two countries operate the MiG-29K: India, with about 40 or more aircraft in the Indian Navy, and Russia, with roughly 20 or more. No Arab state or Türkiye operates the type.