Defence Deals - MiG Downing F-16 Has The Russians Smiling

MiG gunning down an F-16 has the Russians smiling

- Pradip R. Sagar

Though the 86-second dog-fight between the Indian Air Force’s MiG-21 and Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 along the Line of Control on February 27 was essentially a tussle between the neighbours, the platforms and weaponry used belonged to the world’s top aircraft and defence companies. The outcome could impact India’s choice of fighter jets.

The upgraded MiG-21 Bison was on combat air patrol at 15,000 feet when it spotted an F-16 Falcon at 8,000 feet approaching Indian airspace. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, pilot of the MiG-21, locked on the target at a 60-degree angle and launched the R-73 air-to-air missile, which hit the world’s most popular aircraft.

While the international media, dominated by the US, and the Pakistan military establishment questioned India’s claim of shooting down an F-16, the Indian side was over the moon with the success of its trusted Russian platform. The F-16 fell on Pakistan’s side of the LoC, and India’s lack of evidence raised questions. But Air Vice Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor of the IAF confirmed that a Bison had indeed shot down an F-16, and publicised the parts of an AIM-120C-5 long range missile that was fired by the PAF at an Indian military establishment but had missed the target. The AIM-120C is carried only on the PAF’s F-16s.

According to military observers, in the 51 years of the MiG’s existence, this is first time it had shot down an F-16. Missile misfiring from F-16 is also said to be rare. Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur, additional director general of India’s Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), claimed that it was the first time that a third-generation aircraft shot down a fly-by-wire modern aircraft armed with a much better weapons package and avionics suite.