In anticipation of the active service induction of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorchkov), which India had recently confirmed acquiring, the country ordered sixteen MiG-29K/KUB fighter jets (including four two-seaters) from Russia in 2004. Six years later, a second contract was signed for an additional twenty-nine aircraft.

The radar systems of the MiG-29K/KUB jets delivered to the Indian Navy by Russia are facing significant reliability issues, which could impact operational effectiveness.