India signed a $960 million contract with Russia to upgrade the Mig-29 fighter jets inducted into the Indian Air Force in the mid-1980s, the Times of India reported, citing an unidentified defense ministry official.
The plan will help the Indian Air Force extend the life of its 69 Mig-29 aircraft to 40 years from the present 25 years, the newspaper said.
The upgrade, to be completed within three years, will involve addition of the multi-functional ZhukME radar and a new weapons control system, the report said.
The first six Mig-29s will be upgraded in Russia while the rest be done at the Indian Air Force base in the western Indian city of Nasik, the newspaper said.