The Mikoyan MiG-29K (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29K) is an all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed in Russia. Developed in the late 1980s by the Mikoyan design bureau from the MiG-29M, the MiG 29K NATO reporting name is Fulcrum-D. The MiG-29K production model differs from the 1991-built MiG 29K by featuring a new multi-function radar, dubbed Zhuk-ME; a cabin with multifunctional color displays and use of the HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) principle; the RVV-AE air-to-air active homing missiles; R-27ER/ET; antiship and antiradar missiles; as well as air-to-ground precision-guided weapons. MiG-29K was not ordered into production and only two prototypes were originally built as the Russian Navy preferred the Su-27K in early 1990s. The Mikoyan Design Bureau did not stop its work on the MiG 29 K aircraft despite the lack of financing since 1992. The programme got a boost in the late 1990s to meet an Indian requirement for a ship-borne fighter following the purchase of a former Soviet aircraft Carrier. It was first received by the Indian Navy in 2009 Indian navy has ordered MiG-29K single-seat and MiG-29KUB two-seat fighters. In 2004, India ordered 16 aircraft (4 two-seat trainers and 12 single-seaters). MiG 29K is to provide air-to-air and standoff air-to-surface precision attack capabilities. Deliveries of these fighters began in December 2009 and are to be completed in 2012. In January 2010, India and Russia signed a US$1.2 billion worth deal for the Indian Navy to receive an additional 29 MiG-29Ks. MiG 29K entered operational service with India in February 2010 The MiG-29K project was initiated in the early 1980s when the Soviet Navy developed a requirement for a supersonic carrier based fighter. As a first step to meet this requirement, the MiG OKB designed a "proof of concept" version of the MiG-29 fitted with a stronger undercarriage and a reinforced tail section with an arrestor hook, the MiG-29KVP (Korotkii Vzlet i Posadka - short take off and landing). The KVP first flew on 21 August 1982, and was subject to extensive trials which demonstrated the need for more power and greater wing area. It was decided to base the definitive naval version on the advanced MiG-29M (Product 9.15) that was already under development, further modified with new undercarriage and folding wings of greater area, with the new model designated the MiG-29K (Korabelniy - ship based) or Project 9-31). The MiG-29K differed considerably from the MiG-29 production model, featuring a new multi-function radar, dubbed Zhuk; a cockpit with monochrome display and use of the HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) principle; the RVV-AE air-to-air active homing missiles; antiship and antiradar missiles; as well as air-to-ground precision-guided weapons. To protect the engine from FOD, the engine inlets were fitted with retractable grills which replaced the more complex arrangement of land based MiG-29s. The MiG-29K first flight was performed on 23 July 1988 at Saky by test pilot T.Aubakirov. On 1 November 1989, in the same day as the Sukhoi Su-27K, Aubakirov executed the first landing of MiG 29 K on the deck of the aircraft-carrying cruiser Tbilisi (now known as Admiral Kuznetsov), the first take-off from the carrier's deck was successfully performed the same day. From 1989--1991 the MiG 29K underwent further tests aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov. The project was left uncompleted with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and it remained on indefinite hold for many years afterwards. Indian Navy - Naval Air Arm has 45 MiG-29K/KUB aircraft on order as of March 2010. The naval air arm had 6 in inventory as of July 2010. INAS 303 Squadron Black Panthers