The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. Classified as a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft, the only existing prototype is the third modification of the existing MiG-29M2 airframe which previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. The MiG-35 is now classed as a medium-weight aircraft because its maximum take-off weight has increased by 30 percent which exceeds its previous criteria of classification.
Admitting that competition was very tough since the crème de la crème of the aviation industry was participating in the Indian Air Force’s tender for 126 fighter aircraft estimated at over $10 billions, Mr. Fedorov said, “We may win because of the long-term advantage of transferring know-how to India.”
Heading the UAC — a conglomerate of major Russian aviation companies, including Sukhoi, Illyushin, Tupolov and Irkut — Mr. Fedorov pointed out that Russia had in the past transferred technology of military fighters such as MiG-21, MiG-27 and Sukhoi-30 MKI. “I am sure no one would be able to transfer such intellectual know-how as Russia. Besides, another advantageous factor is that the adaptability of MiG-35 to all maintenance centres in the territory of India can be much easier,” he told journalists here.
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