17 April 2005
IAF will phase out its spy MiG
- By Gautam Datt
New Delhi, April 17: The Indian Air Force's secret "weapon," the spy plane Mig-25, is going to be number plated. The trisonic Mig-25 squadron, based in Bareilly, will be closed down in the next couple of years as the aircraft has lived its life.
The Mig-25, the only plane that can fly in the stratosphere to avoid detection by radars, is used for aerial reconnaissance of the enemy territory. The pilots who fly this aircraft use space-style g-suits and helmets.
The sources in the Indian Air Force said that the job done by Mig-25 will now be carried out by satellites. The officials said that the flying conditions are extremely different in stratosphere as it is closer to the space. The aircraft flies at a height of more than 70,000 feet.
The Indian Air Force has been touchy about the aircraft and always kept its operation under the carpet. It was extensively used during the Kargil conflict. There were also used in Sri Lanka during the peace-keeping operations.
The aircraft is possessed by a very few Air Forces in the world. When the IAF acquired the trisonics, it raised quiet a few eyebrows.
The Nato has named it Foxbat. The officials pointed out that it is difficult to detect this single seater, supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance fighter as it flies above the limits of the radar. However, it can be detected if the radar is tilted in a manner it catches the movement of the aircraft.
The pilot of this aircraft has to undergo special training to adjust to flying at such heights by breaking the sound barriers. The officials accept that the spy plane is becoming outdated now.
The Mig-25 took black and white photographs of the area, which was later interpreted on the ground.
The IAF has four of these aircrafts. The officials said that there was no plan to upgrade them for enhancing their lives.
The Mig-25 was acquired in the early 1980s and at that time it was the fastest in its inventory. In fact, it is one of the fastest aircraft's in the world.