In a boost to the country's defence capabilities, the first-ever squadron of the MiG-29K fighter jets was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy on Saturday.
Defence minister AK Antony commissioned the INAS 303 'Black Panthers' squadron of the aircraft carrier-based multirole fighter jets at a ceremony held at the INS Hansa naval airbase in Dabolim, Goa.
The all-weather fighter jets will be integrated with the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) after its expected delivery to India from Russia -- where it is being refurbished -- by the end of this year. The initial batch of the MIG-29K known as IFTU (Intensive Flying and Trials Unit) was inducted into the Navy in Feb 2010 and are now being commissioned after having successfully completed all tasks and trials assigned and established their role worthiness.
11/05/13 Krish Fernandes/Times of India
