MiG-29
India has launched a major defense project to upgrade more than 100 MiG-29 fighter jets with U.S. technology. This step shows that India’s defense stance is changing significantly and is part of a larger plan to make old assets last longer.
Reliance Defence Limited and Coastal Mechanics, which is based in Texas, have teamed together in a bold way. This agreement is a unique U.S. collaboration on Russian-made platforms.
U.S. Technology Joins the Effort to Modernise India’s MiG-29
On June 30, 2025, Reliance Defence, which is part of Reliance Infrastructure, struck a strategic partnership with Coastal Mechanics Inc., a company that the U.S. Department of Defense has approved.
This agreement is aimed at India’s growing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, which is worth $2.34 billion. The main keyword, “India to upgrade over 100 MiG-29s using U.S. technology,” sums up how big this project is.
Nagpur is the center for modernizing the MiG-29.
The Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) will be the main place where the work will take place. The goal of this facility is to become a regional centre for maintaining Russian-made platforms, primarily MiG-29UPG jets that are used by the Indian Air Force. By choosing Nagpur, the partners set the business up for growth and the capacity to export.
Goals of the Reliance-Coastal Deal: Different Legacy Platforms
The basic purpose is still clear: India would use U.S. technology to modify more than 100 MiG-29s. But the scope goes even further. This contract also included Jaguar planes, Apache helicopters, and L-70 anti-aircraft guns. This coverage on multiple platforms shows how India plans to update its existing fleets instead of buying new ones, which would be pricier.
The MiG-29: A Soviet Icon and an Indian Workhorse
In the 1980s, India got the MiG-29, which NATO called “Fulcrum.”. The MiG-29 was made by Mikoyan-Gurevich to fight U.S. fighters like the F-16. It was known for being quick, having powerful sensors, and being able to use a wide range of weapons.
Most of India’s modern planes are MiG-29UPG variants. They have Zhuk-ME radars, R-77 and R-73 missiles, and the powerful GSh-30-1 cannon. India’s choice to equip more than 100 MiG-29s with U.S. technology shows both heritage value and strategic insight.
Value of Operations in War Zones
India’s MiG-29s were crucial in the Kargil conflict in 1999, when they carried out precise strikes in the Himalayas. Their location along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China shows that they are still important.
But problems with the supply chain after 2022 and escalating maintenance costs made India rethink its plans and upgrade more than 100 MiG-29s with U.S. technology.
Western systems improve Russian platforms.
The unique partnership between the US and India enables the integration of Western technologies with Russian designs. Indian MiG-29s will be far more deadly with better avionics, better radars, and maybe NATO-standard weapons. India’s decision to modernize more than 100 MiG-29s with U.S. technology could change how well their fleets work together.
In line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision
This alliance fits well with India’s goal of being self-sufficient on defense. Coastal Mechanics, which started in 1975, is an expert in finding old parts and reverse engineering.
Their skills are exactly what India needs to modernise its MiG-29s. India is going to modernise more than 100 MiG-29s with U.S. technology. This will help the Indian economy by creating jobs and sharing knowledge.
Also in the scope are L-70 guns, Apaches, and Jaguars.
Jaguar strike planes, which have been in service since the 1980s, need navigation and targeting upgrades right away. Apache helicopters need ongoing MRO care because they have Hellfire missiles and powerful sensors.
The old L-70 anti-aircraft weapons also need digital upgrades. India was the first country to use U.S. technology to upgrade over 100 MiG-29s, which is how this new upgrade ecosystem started.
Potential for a Regional Maintenance Hub
Algeria, Bangladesh, and Vietnam are some of the countries that use MiG-29s. If India puts money into the MIHAN facility, it might meet the MRO’s needs in the area. India is going to use U.S. technology to upgrade more than 100 MiG-29s. The move might make Nagpur the best place in South Asia to maintain old planes.
What this means for U.S.-India relations
This relationship also shows that trust between India and the U.S. is rising. In the past, Washington was afraid to engage with Russian systems due to concerns about intellectual property.
However, India’s plan to equip more than 100 MiG-29s with U.S. technology represents a significant shift. The move indicates that the US is open to collaborating flexibly with India, as both countries aim to curb China’s military expansion.
Be careful even when there are chances
Still, there are problems to solve. Russia might not like that US companies are operating on its platforms. OEM data could make technical integration harder. Reliance Infrastructure’s recent drop in profits also raises questions about its long-term viability. India is upgrading more than 100 MiG-29s with U.S. technology, but it’s important to be careful with geopolitical issues.
In conclusion
Ultimately, India’s plan to modify over 100 MiG-29s using U.S. technology is a calculated risk that could yield significant benefits. It indicates that India wants to achieve a balance between relying on the past and making new partnerships.
If it works, the project might change how India, and maybe the whole region, protects its frontline assets in a world that is changing quickly.
References
- Reliance Defence Partnership Announcement
https://www.defensenewstoday.info/2025/06/30/reliance-coastal-mechanics-mig29-upgrade.html - Indian MiG-29 Fleet Overview – Indian Air Force Modernisation
https://www.defensenewstoday.info/air/indian-air-force-mig29-fleet-upgrades - U.S. Defence Firms Supporting Foreign MRO Operations
https://www.defensenewstoday.info/industry/us-defence-contractors-foreign-mro-support - Facebook Community Discussion on MiG-29 Upgrades
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pakistandefenseforum/posts/701234992503912/ - India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Defence Strategy
https://www.defensenewstoday.info/analysis/aatmanirbhar-bharat-defence-sector-reform - Jaguar Aircraft MRO Challenges in Indian Inventory
https://www.defensenewstoday.info/air/jaguar-strike-aircraft-upgrades-needed - MIHAN Nagpur’s Role in Defence Logistics
https://www.defensenewstoday.info/infrastructure/mihan-nagpur-defence-mro-hub - Impact of Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Indian Defence Supplies
https://www.defensenewstoday.info/analysis/russia-ukraine-impact-india-defence-supply-chain
