A K Antony commissions MiG-29 K fighter planes into Navy

PANAJI: Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday commissioned warfare aircraft MiG-29 K Black Panther squadron into the Indian Navy here.

The commissioning was held at INS Hansa which would be the base for Black Panther squadron along with other fighter aircraft squadrons of Indian Navy.

The squadron initially comprising 16 aircraft would be known as IANS 303.

The aircraft tagged as new era fighter were inducted into the Indian Navy in February 2010 following which it underwent trials before the actual commissioning.

Naval officials said that MiG-29 K is a potent carrier borne fighter, which, once integrated with INS Vikramaditya will bolster the Navy's punch with its multi-role capability.

The aircraft is armed with its arsenal of weapons including advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, precision bombs and sophisticated system to support weapon delivery.

Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is likely to be commissioned later this year.