, India and Russia have signed a deal to upgrade older versions of MiG-29 fighters that have been in service with the Indian Air Force for almost two decades.
The deal is worth $850 million. Moscow-based Russian aircraft corporation MiG will change the engines and avionics of 66 MiG-29 jets, AVN military news agency reported.
The deal to upgrade the MiG-29s comes after three of the jets crashed in India this year.
The IAF currently has three squadrons of MiG-29 jets that were inducted between 1986 and 1996. Following the mid-life upgrade, their technical life would be extended from 25 to 40 years, sources said.
The upgrade will also enhance the capabilities of the Russian-made jets as they will be fitted more powerful radars, advanced avionics and a new variant of their engine.
The MiG-29s will also be fitted with air-to-air re-fuelling capabilities to enhance endurance and range.
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