The Story of IAF MiG-25 over Islamabad

[hkdas]

In May (1997), an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mikoyan MiG-25RB Foxbat-B Reconnaissance aircraft created a furore when the pilot flew faster than Mach 2 over Pakistani territory following a reconnaissance mission into Pakistan airspace. The Foxbat broke the sound barrier while flying at an altitude of around 65,000 feet, otherwise the mission would have remained cover, at least to the general public. The Pakistani Government considered the breaking of sound barrier as deliberate to make the point that Pakistani Airforce (PAF) has no aircraft in its inventory which can come close to the cruising height of MiG-25 ( up to 74,000 feet ).


ARTISTIC IMPRESSION OF IAF MIG-25 OVER ISLAMABAD,PAKISTAN 1997


The Ruler of Stratosphere: A story of FOXBAT pilot

This is one of the rare pic of any MiG-25 Foxbat pilot. He belongs to the IAF No.102 ''The Trisonic'' squadron. Generally Foxbat pilots' identity kept secret because of the top secret mission they flew overenemy lines, which makes them kind of the ''007 Agent of Air Force''.The No.102 Trisonic squadron is one of the first squadron to fly MiG-25other than Russia. It flew several photographic mission over China andPakistan in late 80s. To be a Foxbat pilot kind of requires excellent flight record and most no of sorties with highest experience in your group. Only with a rank of Wing Commander officers were allowed for MiG-25 Pilot training. Not all the pilots get to fly the Foxbat beast.Only the best of the best with maximum experience are choose for this. Ofcourse it's necessary, because most Foxbat mission requires flying at75000ft and taking photographs at that altitude without being completely knocked-out due to GLOC is not a nutcase opening job.Although now this ''Beast of stratosphere'' is retired and sitting at Palam museum, till now only 42pilots
of IAF are officially certified to fly aFoxbat-B. MiG-25 Garuda is one of the top secret plane IAF has ever had. It's jealously guarded and the pilots were never allowed to talk about theirmission or machine in the public...even now. It's reported that the Trishul air base has Foxbats capable of flying over 85000ft.
''Although those machines have been retired, because they became obsolete due to intensive use of satellites and drones...still I miss those mean machines. Those are darned good days.''---
Indian Aerospace/Defense News: The Story of IAF MiG-25 over Islamabad

 

[rockstar08]

what if that plane was shot ??
than he will be remembered as " a dead 007 "
that is stupidity to enter a restricted air space .. and post as that he achieve Oscar

 

[skynet]

what if that plane was shot ??
than he will be remembered as " a dead 007 "
that is stupidity to enter a restricted air space .. and post as that he achieve Oscar

We can understand your feelings

 

[rockstar08]

We can understand your feelings

yeah i am so hurt ... can you see me crying

 

[SrNair]

what if that plane was shot ??
than he will be remembered as " a dead 007 "
that is stupidity to enter a restricted air space .. and post as that he achieve Oscar

Shooting down MIG 25 flying at a 75000 ft and top speed of Mach 2.8.
Man that was one hell of comedy .Forget about the capacity in 1997 ,I have a real doubt about its present capability to attack such an aircraft.

 

[Pakistani E]

Pakistanis and Indians are both stupid. Getting happy over pathetic little things, reminds me 10 years olds arguing about their super heroes. All the while the world laughs at our stupidity and sells us weapons to kill each other. Yeah, we are so great...

 

[rockstar08]

Shoot down MIG 25 flying at a 75000 ft and top speed of Mach 2.8.
Man that was one hell of comedy .Forget about the capacity in 1997 ,I have a real doubt about its present capability to attack such an aircraft.

yeah the MiG 25 is out of this world plane right ?
keep dreaming on kid

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

what if that plane was shot ??
than he will be remembered as " a dead 007 "
that is stupidity to enter a restricted air space .. and post as that he achieve Oscar

At that time the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has no aircraft in its inventory which can come close to the cruising height of the MiG-25 (up to 74,000 feet) - there was no need to intercept a plane flying at the altitude of 65,000 feet as the F-16 which were scrambled could only reach an operating ceiling of 55,000 feet - the most potent jet in PAF's inventory....

 

[rockstar08]

At that time the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has no aircraft in its inventory which can come close to the cruising height of the MiG-25 (up to 74,000 feet) - there was no need to intercept a plane flying at the altitude of 65,000 feet as the F-16 which were scrambled could only reach an operating ceiling of 55,000 feet....

i am not Air force expert ...
i would like too see @Munir @araz @Donatello
your comments please

 

[Windjammer]

What's the big deal, PAF done it 50 years earlier, causing panic amongst Indians.

 

[SrNair]

yeah the MiG 25 is out of this world plane right ?
keep dreaming on kid

There is no question about dreaming here kid.
That baby is decommissioned after its successful missions .

 

[rockstar08]

There is no question about dreaming here kid.
That baby is decommissioned after its successful missions .

but yet it was a act of Stupid y ..

 

[danger007]

Untouchable Jet...

 

[syedali73]

Shooting down MIG 25 flying at a 75000 ft and top speed of Mach 2.8.
Man that was one hell of comedy .Forget about the capacity in 1997 ,I have a real doubt about its present capability to attack such an aircraft.

My understanding is that Pakistan operates HQ-2 SAMs, which are more than capable of bringing down a plane flying at 75,000 feet. You perhaps don't remember (or know) that Soviets did shoot down a U-2 using SA-2 SAMs.

 

[SrNair]

At that time the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has no aircraft in its inventory which can come close to the cruising height of the MiG-25 (up to 74,000 feet) - there was no need to intercept a plane flying at the altitude of 65,000 feet as the F-16 which were scrambled could only reach an operating ceiling of 55,000 feet - the most potent jet in PAF's inventory....

MIG pilot did it purposefully .By cruising at mach 2 and by creating sonic boom he meant to show that Pakistan dont have such a weapon .If he was in Chinese airspace he might hesitate for such an action.