US company to modernize 100 Russian MiG-29 fighter jets used by Indian Air Force in strategic agreement

On June 30, 2025, the Indian company Reliance Defence entered into a strategic partnership with Coastal Mechanics Inc. (CMI), a US Department of Defense-authorized contractor, to jointly address India’s military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) needs. The agreement includes the servicing, upgrading, and lifecycle extension of several key Indian military platforms, most notably the Russian-origin MiG-29 fighter aircraft currently operated by the Indian Air Force. The collaboration also marks a rare instance of a US defense contractor being directly involved in the sustainment and upgrade of Russian fighter jets operated by a third country.

The Indian Air Force currently operates about 52 MiG-29UPGs across two frontline squadrons, with deployments primarily along the northern and western borders, while the Indian Navy also operates around 40 carrier-based MiG-29K variants for use aboard INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. (Picture source: IAF)

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