The Russian origin MiG-29 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been upgraded to meet the challenging battle requirements giving a much-needed boost to the strength of the force.

The upgrade of the air-superiority fighter – the only type other than IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI classified as such – comes at a time when the IAF has been struggling with a shortage of warplanes.

News of the upgrade comes a day before India celebrates the Air Force Day on 8 October.

The MiG-29 is now capable of mid-air refuelling, compatible with the latest missiles and can launch multi-dimensional attacks.

The upgraded fighter jet showcased its combat capabilities at Admapur Air Force Station last week.

The strategically important Adampur Air Force Station, 100 km from Pakistan and 250 km from the border with China, is now home to the upgraded MiG-29s.

Flight Lieutenant Karan Kohli, who is deployed at Adampur Air Force Station, said that the upgraded MiG-29 also has multi-functional display or MFD, which shows critical flight details on a glass screen in front of the pilot.

Flight Lieutenant Kohli said the MiG-29 is a flexible aircraft and can take off almost vertically in full power. The upgraded MiG-29 can take off within five minutes of spotting a hostile jet trying to enter the Indian airspace and destroy it, he said.

Even in the previous legacy version, the aircraft played an important role as the Air Force stamped its supremacy over the Pakistani Air Force during the Kargil War in 1999.

“With the upgrade, as compared to previous legacy version of the MiG-29 bought under emergency clause in early 1980s, the fighter jets are capable of giving a befitting response,” said an official, asking not to be named, on how the warplane would perform in the event of a two-front war.

On 12 September, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said the force was reeling under a severe shortage of fighter aircraft. The IAF chief had said it currently has 31 squadrons of fighter jets against the sanctioned strength of 42.

“Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries,” he had said.

The Air Force has three squadrons of MiG-29s, two of them at Adampur Air Force Station. One squadron comprises 16-18 aircraft.

Besides the IAF, a variant of the MiG-29s is operated by the Indian Navy. A fleet of the fighter jet is deployed on India’s sole aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya.

(With inputs from agencies.)