Indian Navy Seeks Indigenous 80-mm Rockets for MiG-29K

The Indian Navy issued an Expression of Interest on 26 May 2026 through the Naval Armament Inspectorate in Goa for the design, development and manufacture of indigenous 80-mm aero rockets for MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighters. The rockets are unguided air-to-ground weapons used by around 42 Russian-origin MiG-29K aircraft operating from INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

MiG-29K Fleet and Carrier Aviation

The MiG-29K is a carrier-based multirole fighter developed in Russia for naval operations. The MiG-29KUB is the twin-seat trainer variant used for conversion training and operational familiarisation. INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant are the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers that operate the MiG-29K fleet.

80-mm Aero Rocket: Technical Features

The proposed rocket is required to weigh about 11.3 kg, measure around 1.54 metres in length and achieve a velocity of 600 metres per second. The specified engagement range is 1.3 km to 4 km, and the rocket must penetrate 400 mm of armour and produce at least 400 fragments. The rocket must function in temperatures from -60°C to +60°C and have a shelf life of at least 15 years. The Navy has also asked for a practice round with identical flight characteristics and no warhead for pilot training.

Procurement Plan and Development Requirements

The Navy plans an initial procurement of 273 live high-explosive rockets and 2,400 practice rounds after prototype development and testing. Responses to the Expression of Interest must reach the Naval Armament Inspectorate in Goa by 20 June 2026, and the tentative induction timeline is 2026-27.

Important Facts for Exams

• The 80-mm aero rocket is an unguided air-to-ground weapon.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat is the Government of India’s self-reliance initiative in defence and other sectors.
• INS Vikramaditya is a modified aircraft carrier commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2013.
• INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier and was commissioned in 2022.