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India Sends a Message to Moscow: US Will Modernize Our MiG-29s
India’s Reliance Defence has entered into a $2.34 billion strategic partnership with US-based Coastal Mechanics Inc. (CMI) to jointly maintain, upgrade, and extend the life of key Indian military platforms—most notably the Russian-designed MiG-29 fighter jet.
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The agreement, signed on June 30, marks a significant shift in India’s approach to managing its aging Soviet-era arsenal. It includes full Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for over 100 MiG-29s, 100 Jaguar strike aircraft, Apache AH-64 helicopters, and L-70 air defense systems, to be performed at a new joint facility at MIHAN in Nagpur, Maharashtra, defense media outlet Army Recognition reported on July 8.
“This collaboration brings together Indian industrial scale and American technical expertise to sustain legacy platforms without overreliance on the original Russian manufacturers,” the companies stated.
India’s MiG-29 modernization goes West
The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates around 52 MiG-29UPGs across two frontline squadrons, while the Indian Navy fields another 40 carrier-based MiG-29Ks on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
The aging fleet has become increasingly difficult to maintain due to delays and shortages of Russian parts, prompting India to seek alternative supply chains and modernization strategies.
Under the new deal, the partners will emphasize reverse engineering, indigenous part production, and dual-sourcing strategies to bypass bottlenecks.
Coastal Mechanics, a US Department of Defense-approved contractor, brings deep experience in upgrading and maintaining legacy US and NATO aircraft—including the F-15, F-16, A-10, and AH-64—through small-batch component manufacturing and legacy system sustainment.
Strategic shift from Russia to America
This development marks a case where a US defense firm is directly involved in upgrading Russian-origin platforms operated by a third country. CMI’s participation was cleared under US ITAR and DDTC regulations, underscoring the strategic depth of the partnership.
Reliance Defence, already involved in various aerospace initiatives, is positioning itself as a key player in India’s indigenous defense ecosystem. Recent projects include:
Upgrading 55 Dornier 228 aircraft in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Genesys;
A strategic agreement with Germany’s Diehl Defence to produce 155mm Vulcano precision artillery shells;
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An export contract with Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, valued at $70 million;
Falcon jet component production through its joint venture with Dassault Aviation in Nagpur.
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Indian equipment meets Pentagon-backed tech
The MiG-29, inducted into Indian service in the 1980s, remains one of the IAF’s mainstay fourth-generation platforms.
Over the years, it has been upgraded to the MiG-29UPG standard, featuring advanced radars, improved engines, digital avionics, and new missile systems. The goal of the new partnership is to further extend the fighter’s service life amid India’s gradual phase-out of the MiG-21 and Jaguar fleets.
India is simultaneously pursuing broader modernization programs, including the Super Sukhoi upgrade for 84 Su-30MKIs, delivery of 83 Tejas Mk1A fighters, and development of future platforms like the Tejas Mk2, AMCA, and CATS Warrior unmanned combat systems.
These initiatives aim to sustain India’s fighter strength at 35–36 squadrons by 2035, despite falling short of the 42-squadron benchmark.
With this latest Indo-US tie-up, India is not only bridging the logistical gap for its Soviet-era fleet but also laying the groundwork for greater industrial autonomy and strategic depth in aerospace MRO capabilities.
Earlier, reports emerged that India planned to offer its weapons to countries that have long been dependent on Russian arms.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global manufacturing hub has already led to the production of billions of dollars worth of low-cost iPhones and pharmaceuticals. Now, India aims to produce missiles, helicopters, and battleships.
