NEW DELHI, India, Dec. 6, Reuter: Soviet built MIG29 fighter aircraft were formally inducted into India’s air force on Sunday, and the country’s Defence Minister said they made it one of the most modern forces in the world.
The Press Trust of India (PTI) said India’s Air Force was the first outside the Soviet Union to be equipped with the all-weather interceptor, dubbed the Fulcrum by NATO.
Defence Minister Krishna Chandra Pant, in an apparent reference to Pakistan’s Acquisition of F16 fighters from the United States, said advanced weaponry had been introduced into India’s neighborhood and “we have to respond adequately”.
Speaking at the induction ceremony at Poona in Western India, the Minister declared: “With the acquisition of the MIG29 our air force will feel that they have new aircraft of immense capability which would place the [AF among the most modem air forces in the world.
India unveiled its new airplane ‘with a display of its flying skills along with other warplanes, including the MIG25, but none of its armaments was on show.
The twin-engine Fulcrum, or the Baaz.as it has been rechristened by India, is capable of flying at2.3 times the speed of sound and operating from runways just 500 meters (yards) Jong.
PTI said the planes were armed with air-to-air missiles with a range of more than 30 km (20 miles) and four close combat missiles.
The air force said two squadrons would be equipped with the planes introduced on Sunday .
Article extracted from this publication >> December 11, 1987
