Last MiG-27 fighters to retire on Friday; IAF down to 28 squadrons

This will reduce the IAF's combat strength to 28 fighter squadrons, just two-third of the 42 squadrons it is authorised to fight a two-front war against Pakistan and China together

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will have a moment of history in Jodhpur on Friday, when the last of its MiG-27 fighters fly into the sunset. Starting in 1985, the IAF has flown 165 MiG-27 fighters, built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

With this, the last MiG-27 squadron — No. 29 Squadron, which calls itself the Scorpions — will be ‘numberplated’, or placed in suspended animation until it can be re-operationalised with new aircraft and manpower.

This will reduce the IAF’s combat strength to 28 fighter squadrons, just two-third of the 42 squadrons it is authorised to fight a