After a thorough audit of the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB aircraft supplied for use on the Russian-made aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, India has identified a number of serious concerns. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the Russian-supplied MiG-29K naval fighters are “riddled with problems.”

According to the report, the vast majority of problems are related to the airframe, the RD MK-33 engine and fly-by-wire system. The CAG concluded that the serviceability of aircraft is quite low: ranging from 15.93% to 37.63% for MiG-29K and ranging from 21.30% to 47.14% for MiG-29KUB.

These numbers imply a significant reduction from the stated by the manufacturer 6000 hours in service life. Due to the defects 62% of RD-33 MK (or 46 engines) were withdrawn from service.

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The audit also revealed failure of airframe parts during deck operations. The problem was beyond repair, as defects had occurred despite numerous design improvements and modifications. Moreover, the report pointed out that this problem can have a negative impact on aircraft capability for undertaking prolonged deployments.

The fly-by-wire system and The Full Mission Simulator, which is designed for the ground training of Indian pilots, have also received severe criticism. According to the CAG, the Simulator remains unserviceable.

Russia should definitely analyze these problems that were pointed out by the Indian experts, especially considering the fact that similar aircraft is expected to be used on the Russian aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov". Moreover, Russian plans to accomplish full transition to MiG-29KR/KUB aircraft; moreover, this type of aircraft is expected to be deployed in the Syrian conflict this October.