SOURCE: AFI
In a remarkable yet lesser-known episode, when Pakistani Air Force (PAF) F-16s launched volleys of Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles at a lone Indian Sukhoi-30MKI, callsign “Avenger-1,” a pair of upgraded MiG-29UPG multi-role fighter jets swiftly took off from Adampur Airbase. Their mission: intercept the F-16s hovering near the Line of Control (LOC). The MiG-29UPG jets, reaching supersonic speeds, flew towards the sector, prompting the F-16s to retreat upon detecting the approaching Indian aircraft.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the MiG-29UPG, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has, for the first time, deployed five of these aircraft to Exercise Eastern Bridge in Oman, held from October 17-26, 2019. This exercise aims to provide valuable exposure to the Royal Air Force of Oman’s F-16 Block 50 aircraft. The decision follows the IAF’s acquisition of 21 additional MiG-29s from Russia, all upgraded with new engines, radar, and avionics, making them as capable as the PAF’s F-16 Block 52 variants.
The MiG-29UPG now boasts technical capabilities on par with the F-16 Block 50/52, offering IAF pilots crucial experience for potential future encounters. Alongside the Sukhoi-30MKI, the Mirage-2000, and the MiG-29UPG form a formidable second line of interceptors, striking fear in the hearts of PAF’s F-16 crews.
Originally inducted in the mid-1980s, the MiG-29A was the first aircraft in the region equipped with the Russian R-77 BVR missile in the late 1990s. During the Kargil War, the MiG-29A played a vital role in Combat Air Patrol (CAP) duties over the conflict zone. It successfully locked onto two approaching PAF F-16s near the LOC, maintaining air superiority and providing cover for Mirage-2000s and MiG-21s executing bombing missions on enemy-held mountain peaks.
With their recent upgrades, the MiG-29UPGs are now comparable to the F-16 Block 50/52 variants. These enhancements allow the MiG-29UPGs to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Su-30 fleet. Boasting the best power-to-weight ratio among IAF fighters, the MiG-29UPGs possess unique advantages that could pin down PAF F-16s and support Su-30MKI operations in future engagements.
MiG-29UPG’s enhanced capabilities and strategic deployment underscore the IAF’s commitment to maintaining aerial superiority and readiness for any future conflicts. As these upgraded jets integrate into India’s defense arsenal, they will continue to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s airspace and projecting power in the region.