IAF's spyplanes to be phased out on May one

Twenty five years after its induction and kept under wraps for its entire service tenure, the IAF's most secretive air platform the MiG-25 Foxbats, used for spying from near outer space is being bid adieu.

However, the Foxbats are not exiting the way they came in, with the Air Force organising a public farewell giving them exposure for the first time on May one. It will be the last day the fighters, which have the capability of reaching heights upto 100,000 feet, will fly.

"It is going to be an emotional experience" said Air Vice Marshal Sumit Mukherjee Assitant Chief of the Air Staff, who has had a rare privilege of commanding the squadron.

"All the commanding officers of the squadron as well as pilots who flew them are going to be there to bid final farewell to the Foxbats", he said.

MiG-25, along with the US Air Force's SR-71, are the only two fighters in the world which can fly upto such heights and at speeds almost two and half times of sound.

IAF has now only four such aircraft and all of them after their last flight on may one are going to be presented for exhibitions to various armed forces edcuational institutions like IAF Academy and Air Force museum at Palam.

Source