After serving the IAF for over three decades, the MiG-27, which proved to be an "ace bomber" during the 1999 Kargil War, will thunder through the skies for the last time today.
For several decades, the swing-wing fighter has been the backbone of the Air Force ground-attack fleet and the IAF will bid farewell to its seven-aircraft squadron from Jodhpur Air Base, officials said.
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"Since 2006, this last swing-wing fleet's upgraded version has been the pride of the IAF strike fleet. All other variants, such as MiG-23 BN and MiG-23 MF and the pure MiG-27, have already withdrawn from IAF," the defense ministry said on Thursday.
The Number 29 Squadron is the only unit operating the upgrades of the MiG-27 in the IAF, he said in a statement.
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The Squadron was established with Ouragan (Toofani) aircraft at Air Force Station Halwara on March 10, 1958. "Throughout the years, the Squadron has been fitted with various fighter types such as MiG-21 Type 77, MiG-21 Type 96, MiG-27 ML and MiG-27 upgrade," said the ministry.
The Squadron is now expected to be numbered on March 31, 2020, with December 27 being its last day of flying, rendering the swing-wing fleet part of the glorious history of the IAF.
For the de-induction ceremony at Air Force Station, Jodhpur, a range of functions were scheduled.
The IAF also tweeted on Friday about the last arrival of MiG-27.
"This formidable ground attack fighter aircraft has served the country for more than three decades. Introduced in 1985, MiG-27 was the backbone of IAF's ground attack capability. It took part in all major # IAF operations and played a stellar role in the Kargil War of 1999," the IAF said in a series of tweets.
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