The first two-seater MiG-29KUB for the Indian Navy flew on 22 January 2007 at the Gromov Flight Test Centre in Zhukovsky (35 km southeast of Moscow), Russia. The very next day, Vishnu Som from NDTV (New Delhi Television) flew to Zhukovsky and captured images of this latest bird for the Indian Navy. He also flew in another two-seater MiG-29 aircraft (a 'UB' variant), which served as a chase plane during the second test flight of the MiG-29KUB. The first 16 images in this gallery, are of the MiG-29KUB and the remaining images are of the MiG-29UB.

Some interesting tidbits Vishnu shared included Natasha - the sexy Russian voice warning system that features aboard the MiG-29 Fulcrum. Natasha is actually an engineer who worked on the system in the first place, when it was being developed. She continues to work in Zhukovsky and has even voiced the voice warning system for the Indian Navy's MiG-29 variants - the single-seater K and the two-seater KUB. Vishnu commented on the quality of the welds on the MiG-29KUB, by saying there are markedly different from earlier generation MiG-29s. There is also extensive use of composites and the rivetting & welding work seems much better. He also added that the smokeless engines on the KUB, are markedly better than on the older MiG-29s but are not completely smoke-free.

Images © Vishnu Som