New Delhi, Oct. 31 -- The 1980s ushered the Indian Air Force into a whirlwind of modernisation, leaping almost two generations of combat capability with the induction of six new fighter types, namely the Jaguar (1979), the variable geometry MiG-23BN and MiG-23MF (1981-82), the much celebrated, first truly-multirole Mirage 2000 (1985), the more advanced iteration of the MiG-23BN, the MiG-27ML (1985-86) and finally the then state-of-the art air defence interceptor, the MiG-29 (1987). During this rapid transition from the Second Generation fighter aircraft to Fourth Generation, of all the aircraft types procured, the MiG-23MF was born and left service in a largely 'silent' fashion.
Acquired in 1982 as a direct counter to the Pakistan's F-16s,...