Air Force Day 2018: With new upgrade, IAF ‘beast’ MiG–29 gains in lethality, ferocity

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is celebrating 86th Air Force Day on October 8, has got a big morale boost after the latest upgrade in MiG-29 fighter aircraft. MiG-29 – a Russian origin aircraft hailed as Indian Air Force’s ‘beast’, has recently been upgraded, making it more lethal and ferocious. The upgraded version of MiG-29 will boost the strength of Air Force, which is battling the shortage of fighter aircraft.

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“The upgraded aircraft is now capable of mid-air refuelling and compatible with latest missiles. It can now launch multi-dimensional attacks too,” PTI quoted Flight Lieutenant Karan Kohli, who is deployed at Adampur Air Force Station, as saying.

The aircraft has a great legacy. It was MiG-29 that played a very crucial role in the 1999 Kargil War as the Indian Air Force stamped its supremacy over the Pakistani forces.

"With the upgrade, as compared to previous 'legacy version' of the MiG-29 bought under the emergency clause in the early 1980s, the fighter jets are capable to give a befitting response," PTI quoted an official, requesting anonymity, when asked about any possible two-front war with China and Pakistan.

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 squadrons.

"Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries (China and Pakistan)," he had said.