MiG-29 Fighter Jets: To counter threats from both the Pakistani and Chinese fronts, India has stationed a squadron of modernised MiG-29 fighter jets at the Srinagar air base. The MiG-21 squadron at the Srinagar air base, which had previously been in charge of handling the danger from Pakistan, has been replaced by the Tridents squadron, now also known as the “Defender of the North.”
“Srinagar is located in the Kashmir Valley’s heart and has a higher elevation than the lowlands. Due to its close proximity to the border, it is strategically advantageous to position an aircraft that has a higher weight-to-thrust ratio, a quicker response time, stronger avionics, and long-range missiles. We can engage the enemy on both fronts because the MiG-29 satisfies all of these requirements, Indian Air Force pilot Squadron Leader Vipul Sharma.
The MiG 29s have numerous benefits over the MiG 21s, which were also able to down an F-16 in 2019 following airstrikes on Pakistani terrorist bases on their mainland during Operation Balakot. The MiG 21s were able to successfully defend the area of their duty in the Kashmir valley for many years.
After the improvements, the MiG-29 was also outfitted with air-to-ground and very long-range missiles, as well as lethal armament by utilising the government’s emergency purchase powers granted to the armed services.
Another pilot Squadron Leader Shivam Rana said the upgraded aircraft can operate at night with night vision goggles and has a longer range due to air-to-air refuelling capability. “We have also included the air-to-ground armament which was not there earlier. The biggest capability of the aircraft are the pilots which are handpicked by the Indian Air Force to serve on these aircraft,” he said.
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