By IRNA,
New Delhi : The MiG-23 BN aircraft of Indian Air Force retired Friday after 28 years of glorious service to the Nation.
A befitting farewell in the form of a ‘phasing out ceremony’ to the MiG-23 BN aircraft, which were bought from the erstwhile Soviet Union to counter Pakistan’s then newly acquired F-16 jets, was held at its last home, at Air Force Station Halwara.
The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major. Wg Cdr YJ Joshi and Sqn Ldr TR Sahu of 221 Sqn flew the aircraft on its last flight, said an official release.
The Air Force Station Halwara had become home to No.221 Squadron ever since they converted to MiG-23 BN in February 1982. 27 years on, No.221 Squadron is lone Squadron with MiG-23 BN on its inventory.
The ‘Valiants’ entered the Swing Wing era with the induction of MiG-23 BN in IAF on 24 Jan 1981 as a result of the IAF’s need for Tactical Air Strike Aircraft in the late 1970s.
The aircraft got its first taste of operation on 04 April 1984 when the Squadron was alerted for the launch of ‘Operation Meghdoot’ for securing the Siachen Glacier in Northern Ladhakh.
Intensive flying began in Kashmir valley, the Mig-23 BNs were employed to the limits, flying in the mountainous region by day and night.
In 1985 MiG-23 BN got the unique distinction of being the first fighter aircraft ever to cross Banihal Pass in Jammu and Kashmir region by night.
During the Kargil conflict this aircraft had the distinction of being the single aircraft type to fire the maximum weapon load over the dizzy heights of Dras and Kargil.
The MiG-23s have had flown more than 154000 hrs in the service of the nation.
Most of the IAF’s MiG-23s have already been phased out.
Its superior version, the MiG-23 MF, was phased out in 2007.
Of the four squadrons the IAF had — over 70 aircraft — half of them were lost in air crashes and other accidents.
The MiG-23BN was the definitive fighter-bomber variant.
It was otherwise the same as MiG-23B, but had the same R-29-300 engine as contemporary fighter ‘Floggers’.
They were also fitted with “type 3” wings.
There were other minor changes in electronics and equipment, and some changes were made during its long production run.
This variant proved to be fairly popular and effective and it was extensively exported.
As usual, a downgraded version was sold to Third World customers.
Serial production began in 1973 and lasted until 1985, with 624 examples built.
Most of them were exported, as the Soviets always viewed it as an interim type and only a small number served in Frontal Aviation regiments.
The most distinctive identifying feature between the MiG-23B and MiG-23BN was that the former was rather a developmental aircraft and had the dielectric head just above the pylon, but this was removed from the MiG-23BN.