Russia will modernize MiG-29s

From a Sep 10 2004 edefenseonline article by Michael Fiszer, a summary of key points (fair use and all that)

– As recently as this year, the Russian Air Force had decided against modernizing any of its MiG-29s

– several factors have caused the service to re-evaluate its position, including a stable, growing economy and higher than expected arms sales, as well as a potential threat from China and instability in the caucasus

– modernization of the MiG-29 fleet will start no earlier than 2005, when Su-27SM modernization will be completed [this seems odd- it’ll take longer than 2005 for the Su-27SM modernization to run its course]

– To make the program less costly, the MiG-29 avionics system will be integrated along the lines of the proven Su-30MKK avionics systems by Ruskaya Avyonika (Moscow, Russia). The aircraft will receive two data buses, built by a Ruskaya Avionika-led team in accordance with MilStd 1553B, along with a central processor, also produced by Ruskaya Avionika and based on an Intel processor. The cockpit will be equipped with two color displays, the MFI-55 and the MFI-68. [this also seems odd- the MiG-29SMT upgrade incorprorated similiar but different features IIRC, why reinvent the wheel?]

– the existing radar will be retained in a modernized configuration similar to the N019MP. The radar will have the ability to engage two targets simultaneously with the use of R-77 missiles that will also be integrated with the aircraft. In the air-to-ground mode, the radar will have ground-mapping and large-target-detection and -track modes. [sounds exactly like MiG-29SMT- its probably referring to the N019M1 radar]

– airframes will be beefed up, increasing service life and increasing max ordnance from 3,000kg to 4,000kg. Kh-29T and KAB-500Kr will be incorporated. [again, same as MiG-29SMT!]

– Kh-25L and Kh-29L will also be carried, but could only be launched in a dive (designated by the IRST)

– official Russian statement doesn’t mention the “Sapsan” pod, but it’s possible it would be included

– MiG-29UBs will be modernized in a similar way, except for the radar, which the UB will not recieve. It will still be useful for training and ground-attack, however.

Also, the Su-30MKK systems are *not* Ruskaya Avionika