The Indian Navy phases out the iconic Sea Harrier maritime fighter after 33 years of service
Today is the day to salute the pilots who flew Sea Harrier aircraft which made a mark for itself by protecting our seas… It’s a distinct honour and proud privilege to induct the multi-role supersonic MiG 29K in the 300 squadron. It marks the induction of multi-role supersonic technology in Indian Navy ADMIRAL R K DHOWAN, Chief of Naval Staff
FIGHTING FIT
The reconnaissance and strike fighters, inducted in 1983, operated for the last time from INS Viraat in March during the International Fleet Review off the Vizag coast
PACKING A PUNCH
The Sea Harrier had vertical take-off and landing capability
The fighter planes could be fitted with anti-ship Sea Eagle missiles, Derby air-to-air beyond visual range missiles and Matra Magic II missiles
FINAL STOP
The retired planes, built by British Aerospace, will be dispatched as mementos to various naval aviation bases and the naval academy. Two of them may be preserved on the INS Viraat
TOP GUN
UK’s Royal Navy retired its Sea Harriers 10 years ago. The fighters served the British Navy for 30 years and saw action during the Falklands war in 1982, both Gulf Wars as well as in the Balkans
OLD WARRIOR
Indian Navy’s Sea Harrier squadron was deployed during Operation Vijay in 1999 and embarked on the Viraat during Operation Parakram in 2001 when standoff with Pakistan was at an all-time high
SPARSE SPARES
The Indian Navy was facing a hard time maintaining the Harriers as British firm Rolls-Royce had stopped producing parts – the plane was powered by a Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan engine