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IAF bids emotional adieu to MiG-25s

The aircraft are no longer cost-effective, of no strategic use: Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi

LAST HURRAH: An MiG-25 taxies at the Bareilly Air Force Station after its last ceremonial flight on Monday. — Photo: AP

Bareilly (U.P.): Highlighting the changing nature of surveillance, Air Chief S. P. Tyagi on Monday said India was now fully equipped to tap satellites for keeping a strategic eye on the ground.

"The nature of warfare is changing, with satellites taking over the act of spying," Air Chief Marshal Tyagi said as he, along with top IAF brass, bid adieu to MiG-25, India's secret strategic weapon platform for decades.

"MiG-25s no longer have strategic use to India. Also, the planes are no longer cost-effective," the Air Chief said. The spy plane had completed its lifespan and India now has INSAT 2B satellite for the purpose.

"The IAF is planning to buy C-130 J planes for its special force," he added.

Planes to be rested

The MiG-25 planes will be rested at the IAF museum at Palam, the Air Force academies and stations at Bareilly, Jodhpur and Kalaikunda.

Wing Commander Sanjeev Taliyan flew the last ceremonial flight of MiG-25 Garuda on Monday.

Feeling of detachment

"It's a feeling of detachment when you reach the satellite height in the plane," Wg Cdr A. Chauhan, who has clocked 250 hours on MiG 25, said. He has developed an emotional bond with the plane.

Since its induction in 1981, only 42 pilots under the 35 Squadron and 102 Squadron have had the chance to fly the spy plane.

End of an era

"With the phasing out of the MiG-25 aircraft, a legendary flying era has passed over in the IAF," a veteran pilot said, as the reconnaissance fighter, almost the size of Antonov 32, made its last touchdown at this airbase.

No spare parts

The IAF's decision to decommission the plane was taken four years ago as the Air Force faced immense difficulty in obtaining spares.

"It was a terrific plane... neither an aircraft nor a missile could chase," Air Vice Marshal Sumit Mukurjhee said. The IAF had, in early 1981, acquired six reconnaissance and two trainer versions of the MiG-25s, of which only four were left at the time of phasing out.

Grand induction

The satellite capable spy planes had as grand an induction as their phase-out in the presence of top IAF brass. Two aircraft were landed at Bareilly by the then world's biggest transport aircraft AN 124 and one of the two crashed soon after take-off. It was replaced at no cost.

MiG-25 inspired awe among all the Western nations after it was unveiled by the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1967 with a world record speed of 2,982 kmph. — PTI

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