Naval MiG-29Ks to debut before Obama on R-Day

A pair of Russian-origin naval MiG-29K fighters will fly overhead US President Barack Obama on the Republic Day, making their maiden appearance on the annual display of India’s military might.

The two fighters – the most potent weapons on board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya – are to leave their home base in Goa shortly to arrive in the North for the practice drill. They will be accompanied by a US-origin P8I maritime surveillance aircraft. The threesome would fly in a “Vic” formation with P8I in the front.

This would be the first appearance of naval fighters on the Rajpath in a growing reflection of India’s maritime strength, sources said.

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