Upgraded MiG-29 Can Take Off Vertically Within 5 Minutes Of Spotting A Hostile Jet, Giving IAF A Major Boost

MiG-29, a twin-engine jet, fighter aircraft has received a long overdue upgradation which has strengthened its ferocity and has given the Indian air force a boost which is currently facing a shortage of fighter aircraft.

Flight Lieutenant, Karan Kohli who is deployed at the Adampur Air Force station told PTI that the fighter jet is now capable of effecting mid-air refuelling, is compatible with the latest missiles and can even launch multi-dimensional attacks.

The Russian aircraft played a supreme role during the India-Pakistan Kargil war in 1999. The upgraded MiG-29 showcased its combat capabilities at Adampur Air Force Station. The country will celebrate the Air Force day on Monday.

Photo: Russian jet MiG-29

The reformed model consists of all the latest features including a glass cockpit with digital screens. All the older versions have been replaced with modernized versions.

The previous version was brought under the emergency clause in the 1980s but the upgraded jets are capable of giving a suitable response. The reformed aircraft also have a Multi-Functional Display (MFD) screen. The IAF has a shortage of around 12 squadrons.

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa told PTI, "Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries.¡±

The Adampur Air Force station has been equipped with the latest version of these aircraft due to its strategic importance. The Adampur station is at a distance of 100 kms from Pakistan and 250 kms away from China.

Photo: wingsjournal.com

Out of a total of three squadrons of MiG-29 jets in operation, two of these have been deployed at the Adampur air force station. One squadron consists of around 16-18 aircraft. Kohli said that 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.

The fighter plane can take off even vertically which has bolstered the IAF¡¯s power by leaps and bounds. The upgraded MiG-29 is also capable of taking off within five minutes of spotting an enemy jet trying to venture into the Indian airspace and successfully destroying it as well.

A pilot who flies one of these Russian war planes said, "With the upgraded version, the range of aircraft has improved a lot. Moreover, in the legacy aircraft, we were restricted to the certain dimension, but we can now do the air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-shipping operation.¡±

MiG-29 had an integral role to play in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, 1971 war as well as the 1999 Kargil war.