India deploys MiG-29 fighter jets squadron at Srinagar to tackle threats from Pakistan, China
PTC News Desk: India has deployed a squadron of upgraded MiG-29 fighter jets at the Srinagar air base to counter both Pakistani and Chinese threats.
The Tridents squadron, also known as the 'Defender of the North,' has replaced the MiG-21 squadron at the Srinagar air base, which has traditionally dealt with Pakistani threats.
“Srinagar lies in the centre of Kashmir valley and its elevation is higher than plains. It is strategically better to place an aircraft with a higher weight-to-thrust ratio and less response time due to proximity to the border and is equipped with better avionics and long-range missiles. The MiG-29 fulfils all these criteria due to which we are capable of taking in the enemies on both fronts,” Indian Air Force pilot Squadron Leader Vipul Sharma said.
The MiG 29s have several benefits over the MiG-21s, which have successfully defended their area of duty in the Kashmir valley for many years and also managed to shoot down an F-16 in 2019 following the Balakot air attacks on Pakistani terrorist facilities on their mainland.
Following the upgrades, the MiG-29 was also equipped with very long-range air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground weaponry, and it was also furnished with lethal equipment using the government's emergency procurement powers granted to armed forces.
"The fighter aircraft have also been provided with the capability to jam the enemy aircraft’s capabilities during times of conflict."
Squadron Leader Shivam Rana, another pilot, stated that the modified aircraft can fly at night with night vision goggles and has a longer range thanks 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 added.
The MiG-29s arrived at the Srinagar air base in January of this year and have flown extensively in the Kashmir valley as well as the Ladakh sector, where they would be among the first to respond to any Chinese airspace violations.
The MiG-29s were the first aircraft to be deployed in the Ladakh sector to counter the Chinese threat following the Galwan confrontation in 2020, and they have foiled several similar efforts since then.
- ANI
