Adampur, Punjab: In a move aimed at establishing itself as a strategic air establishment of the Indian Air Force, Air Force Station Adampur in Punjab is upgrading itself to become the home base of the Indian Air Force's fleet of MiG-29s. All of IAF's squadrons of MiG-29s will henceforth be stationed here.

US F-15s with IAF MiG-29s

The IAF also plans to induct the first lot of six upgraded MiG-29 aircraft at the base sometime in the middle of next year. ''We consider ourselves to be a strategic air power establishment of the IAF in the western sector, ever ready for operations. We are fully geared up to operate in any given time frame like any other air force station of the country,'' said Air Commodore HS Arora, air officer commanding of the Adampur base.

The Adampur base is the second largest IAF base in the country and fields two frontline fighter squadrons. The third MiG-29 fighter squadron will soon move from Jamnagar in Gujarat.

Through an upgrade programme, contracted for with RAC MiG in March 2008, the service life of the MiG 29s in service with the IAF will be extended from 25 to 40 years. The $950-million contract envisages an upgrade of over 60 fighters, in service with the IAF since 1980.

While the first lot would be inducted by mid-2010, all the 60 fighters are scheduled to be upgraded by 2013. According to air commodore Arora, while six MiG-29 fighters would be upgraded and flight-tested in Russia, the remaining aircraft would be overhauled in India with the aid of Russian experts.

''The upgraded MiG 29 fighters will have better radar systems and avionics to help fighters, a new weapon control system, modernised RD-33 engines, which would increase the aircraft hitting capability from long ranges. Its lethality would be increased,'' said Arora.

''The idea is to upgrade the MiG-29 from an aerial interceptor, air superiority aircraft to a multi-role fighter-bomber aircraft capable of striking mobile and stationary targets on the ground and at sea,'' said another officer.

The IAF has already inducted one Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, with two more set to follow in 2010-11. Apart from this, the IAF is also acquiring three mid-air refuelers, six C-130J transport aircraft, 80 medium-lift helicopters, Spyder air defence systems, medium power radars and low-level transportable radar.

The IAF is also upgrading six airstrips in Arunachal Pradesh to deal with an enhanced China threat.