IAF begins 'Flogger' phase-out

[fatman17]

ASIA PACIFIC
Date Posted: 23-Oct-2008

Jane's Defence Weekly

IAF begins 'Flogger' phase-out

Rahul Bedi JDW Correspondent - New Delhi

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun phasing out its remaining MiG-23BN 'Flogger' ground attack fighter aircraft.

The IAF brought the MiG-23BN into service in the early 1980s to modernise its combat units in response to Pakistan's introduction of the F-16.

IAF spokesman Wing Commander Mahesh Upasni said the retirement process had commenced for the 30 aircraft still in service and that they would be 'number plated' or retired over the next year.

"They participated for the last time in the fly-past to mark IAF day on 8 October," Wg Cdr Upasni said.

The phasing out of the MiG-23BNs, which are presently stationed at front-line bases in northern India, follows that of the remaining four swing wing MiG-23MF air defence variants in 2007.

For over two decades, two or more squadrons of around 40 MiG-23BNs - armed with Kh 29 air-to-surface missiles - patrolled the disputed Siachen glacier region, which is also claimed by Pakistan, operating from Leh, India's highest airfield.

© 2008 Jane's Information Group

 

[Kharian_Beast]

Mig23BN could never compete with an F-16, but India thinks more in term of quantity which sometimes can be far more strategic.

 

[su-47]

Mig23BN could never compete with an F-16, but India thinks more in term of quantity which sometimes can be far more strategic.

MiG-23MF was the one intended to compete with F-16. MiG-23 could fire R-27s, which were BVR missiles. Though MiG-23 was inferior to F-16 in avionics, India hoped to get the edge using the BVR missile.

Later Mirage 2000s were added to combat the F-16 threat.

 

[Kharian_Beast]

MiG-23MF was the one intended to compete with F-16. MiG-23 could fire R-27s, which were BVR missiles. Though MiG-23 was inferior to F-16 in avionics, India hoped to get the edge using the BVR missile.

Later Mirage 2000s were added to combat the F-16 threat.

Well to be specific India had the semi active radar homing variant R-27R which is known to NATO as AA-10A Alamo-A and classifying it as BVR would be a bit of a stretch, because the later R27's came on Su 27 and Mig 29 were BVR. From what I understand the F-16's were packing Sparrows and Sidewinders to counter them.

 

[su-47]

Well to be specific India had the semi active radar homing variant R-27R which is known to NATO as AA-10A Alamo-A and classifying it as BVR would be a bit of a stretch, because the later R27's came on Su 27 and Mig 29 were BVR. From what I understand the F-16's were packing Sparrows and Sidewinders to counter them.

That's why we went for Mirages, coz MiG-23 was not enough to counter F-16.

I am not sure if PAF F-16s had sparrows. can anyone clarify that please?

 

[Neo]

PAF inducted Aim-7 Sparrow in early nineties according to one report from Globalsecurity.org:

Link: Paf Inventory

 

[Goodperson]

Above link does not show inventory of sparrow missiles, As far as I gather from rom the F-16.net PAF's Block 15S F-16A/B model in operation, was has an upgraded APG-66 which gives ability to use the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles if acquired in future.