Russia's MiG aircraft corporation has launched production of a new batch of carrier fighters for the Indian Navy, a MiG spokesman said. The MiG29K/KUB fighters are to be delivered under a 2010 contract, the spokesman said. Under the $1.5-billion contract, Russia will supply 29 MiG-29K Fulcrum-D jets to India starting 2012.

The fighters will be based at an air field until the Admiral Gorshkov joins the Navy under the name of INS Vikramaditya in 2013.

The INS Vikramaditya is expected to carry up to 24 MiG-29K/KUB fighters.