MiG-29 gets upgrade, gains in lethality
Adampur (Jalandhar), Oct 7
The India Air Force’s beast — MiG-29 — has gained in strength and ferocity after an upgrade, giving the force, which is battling a shortage of fighter aircraft, a much-needed boost, according to officials.
The Russian-origin aircraft, now capable of effecting mid-air refuelling, is compatible with latest missiles and can launch multi-dimensional attacks, Flight Lieutenant Karan Kohli, who is deployed at Adampur Air Force Station, said.
Even in the previous ‘legacy version’, the aircraft played an important role as the Indian Air Force stamped its supremacy over the Pakistani force during the Kargil War of 1999. Last week, the upgraded MiG-29 showcased its combat capabilities at Adampur station. The country will celebrate Air Force Day on Monday.
The upgraded MiG-29 also has a Multi-Functional Display (MFD) screen.
On September 12, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had said the force was reeling under a severe shortage of fighter aircraft. The IAF Chief had said the force currently has 31 squadrons of fighter jets against the sanctioned strength of 42.
The strategically important Adampur Air Force Station, which is around 100 km from Pakistan and 250 km away from China borders, is now equipped with upgraded MiG-29.
The Indian Air Force has three squadrons of MiG-29 fighter jets in operation, two of them at the Adampur Air Force Station. One squadron comprises 16-18 aircraft.
Kohli said the force now has a combat aircraft which is flexible and can manoeuvre every situation so that IAF pilots can change their position and strike the enemy.
He also said that the fighter plane has the capability of taking off vertically, which has “increased the IAF’s power a lot”.
The upgraded MiG-29 aircraft can take off within five minutes of spotting a hostile jet trying to enter the Indian airspace and destroy it, he said. “With air-to-air refuelling feature, the upgraded MiG-29 can cover a larger distance as compared to the previous legacy aircraft and destroy the enemy,” said another IAF officer, who did not wish to be named. — PTI
