In a major boost to India’s efforts to increasingly become self-reliant in defence, the country has achieved a key maintenance milestone that could strengthen the operational readiness of the Indian Navy while reducing dependence on foreign support.
The Base Repair Depot of the Indian Air Force (IAF) completed the overhaul of the first ejection seat of the MiG-29K fighter jet of the Indian Navy.
IAF's Base Repair Depots are responsible for fourth-line maintenance of aircraft and critical equipment in its inventory, including overhauls, major repairs, and extensive upgrades to keep frontline platforms operational.
The Base Repair Depot in Nashik has been carrying out major overhaul of the MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-30MKI, along with their key systems and components. Over the years, the depot has built significant technical expertise, repair capabilities, and specialised infrastructure to meet the complex maintenance needs of both fleets.
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So far, the ejection seats of MiG-29K had to be sent to Russia for overhaul, which meant longer turnaround times, higher costs, and continued dependence on foreign support.
"The ejection seats of MiG-29K of the Indian Navy were, till now, being sent to Russia for overhaul. The BRD IAF has now overhauled the same, and it was handed over to the Indian Navy," Times of India quoted an officer as saying.
The successful domestic overhaul of the MiG-29K ejection seat is expected to help the Indian Navy by cutting turnaround time and improving fleet availability.
The overhauled ejection seat was handed over to the Indian Navy in the presence of Air Marshal Yalla Umesh, AOC-in-C Maintenance Command of the IAF and Vice Admiral Rahul Gokhale, Chief of Staff, WNC of the Indian Navy.
The move is also in line with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat defence vision, where the focus is not just on building aircraft or weapons, but also on mastering the sustainment ecosystem of these systems.