Introduced in 1970s to counter American made F series planes like F-15 and F-16 , the Russian MiG 29 forms the second line of defence in Indian Air Force after the Sukhoi 30 MKI. 
IAF currently operates three squadrons of MiG 29. Since its induction in 1980s the MiG 29 fleet has been extensively modernised The Indian Navy too operates the naval version of MiG 29 with the jets being the primary weapon of the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.