Can MiG-29 be converted to carry ballistic missile, and how long may it take?

Defense Express analyzed the Indian Ministry of Defense plans.

The Indian Ministry of Defense has announced plans to integrate Israeli Rampage air defense missiles with its MiG-29s. 

The integration work will involve creating a special pylon for Rampage suspension, which will then be attached to the MiG-29, along with upgrades to onboard equipment and software to enable the firing of aeroballistic missiles from these Soviet-made fighters. 

The Indian Defense Ministry aims to complete the integration within 12 months. The Rampage missile, when launched from a MiG-29, is expected to have a range of approximately 150 km. 

India first announced its plan to buy Rampage air defense missiles from Israel in December 2022, but then Su-30s were mentioned as a possible carrier.

“However, at the end of August 2023, the first photo was taken confirming the start of deliveries of Israeli Rampage to the Indian armed forces: the missile, along with the MiG-29K, was photographed at the Ganga air base in Goa, where the Naval Flying Test Squadron of the Indian Navy is based,” Defense Express clarifies.

The move follows India's purchase of Rampage missiles from Israel, initially intended for Su-30s. The missile is essentially a converted EXTRA ballistic missile, jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems, into a long-range air-to-air missile. 

Rampage features a fuselage length of 4.7 meters, a launch weight of 570 kg, and a 150 kg warhead, with a combined guidance system using inertial and satellite navigation.