Chandigarh, March 12 Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, flew a sortie in an upgraded MiG-29 fighter jet from a frontline airbase under the IAF's Western Air Command on Thursday.
The Indian Air Force chief also reviewed the overall operational preparedness of the command, including infrastructure, crew readiness, and aircraft maintenance standards at the key base, according to officials.
The IAF maintains three squadrons of upgraded MiG-29s – MiG-29 UPGs – primarily deployed in the western and northern sectors.
The air chief marshal's sortie in the twin-engine aircraft comes at a time when regional air forces are closely examining their air power capabilities, amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Air Chief Marshal Singh undertook the nearly 45-minute sortie in the fighter jet, which is a key component of India's air defence capabilities when it comes to protecting its western and northern borders.
The MiG-29 UPG squadrons played a vital role in air defence throughout the nearly 88-hour Operation Sindoor last year, the officials said.
The MiG-29 UPG, a potent air defence fighter in the IAF inventory, serves as a frontline air asset tasked with protecting Indian airspace against aerial threats.
The aircraft, upgraded in collaboration with Russia under a 2008 contract, features advanced radar, extended range through additional fuel tanks, and modern avionics, the officials said.
The upgrade was completed around 2022, enhancing the air power capabilities of the IAF.
