How The Indian Air Force Fighters Scared The Pakistani Planes Away During Kargil War

While the Indian Army fought the enemy to the last bullet in the Kargil War, it was the support from the air that really turned things in India’s favour. Operation Safed Sagar by the Indian Air Force was important in the context of Indian victory in what could otherwise have been a long drawn out war.

The Indian Air Force began its operations with reconnaissance sorties to actually figure out how well entrenched the enemy really was. By May 25, the then Prime Minister asked the IAF to ‘step in without delay’, although the permission to cross the LoC wasn’t given.

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A whole range of IAF planes were pressed into service including strike aircraft like the Mig-21, Mig-23 and the Mig-27 that started bombing the enemy positions on May 26. They targeted supply routes, material dumps and camps. The Canberras and Mig-21M variant were used to conduct damage assessment in near real-time.

Unfortunately, two Mig-27s were lost in quick succession and another, a Mig-21 was lost because of a surface-to-air missile hit. On the third day, a Mi-17 helicopter was lost to a Stinger missile hit. All this was a result of lack of protective flare dispensers on the aircrafts. The IAF learnt the lesson and the planes were equipped with countermeasure suites.

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The IAF also had to think on its feet and develop tactics on the go. For example, Mirage-2000s were used to bomb enemy bunkers using the Paveway Laser Guided Bombs. This is probably the most high altitude use of such weapons anywhere in the world.

Indian Air Force also kept the Pakistan Air Force at bay. While strike aircraft were out on bombing sorties, air superiority fighters, namely the Mig-29 were put on CAP (Combat Air Patrol) duties. Nicknamed the Fulcrum by NATO, the 29s with their BVR (Beyond Visual Range) R77 missiles spooked the F-16s. It’s said that Indian Mig-29s locked on to the F-16s, dissuading them from engaging any IAF planes.

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With the PAF nullified, the IAF attacked the enemy positions with impunity, giving India the upper hand and ultimately the victory.