IAF Plans to Resurrect Two MiG-23UB Trainers for Heritage Flight, Preserving Aviation Legacy

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is embarking on a mission to restore two MiG-23UB trainer aircraft to flying condition, marking a significant step in preserving its rich aviation history.

The IAF's Headquarters Maintenance Command (HQ MC) has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI), inviting qualified Indian firms to participate in this ambitious project.

The MiG-23, a Soviet-designed swing-wing fighter, holds a prominent place in IAF history. Introduced in the early 1980s, the MiG-23 significantly enhanced the IAF's air superiority capabilities, particularly in high-speed intercepts.

The MiG-23UB, a two-seat variant, played a crucial role in pilot training and specialized missions. While the MiG-23MF and MiG-23BN variants were retired in 2007 and 2011 respectively, a limited number of MiG-23UB trainers remained in service, serving as a link to the aircraft's legacy.

This restoration project is part of the IAF's Heritage Flight initiative, which aims to showcase historic aircraft and highlight the force's technological evolution. The restored MiG-23UBs will participate in air shows, parades, and commemorative events, offering the public a glimpse of these vintage aircraft in action. They will also serve as educational tools for future generations of aviators.

The EoI outlines strict criteria for participating firms, emphasizing technical expertise, financial stability, and access to specialized infrastructure. Prior experience in restoring heritage military aircraft is highly desirable, given the complexities involved in working with aged airframes and sourcing obsolete parts.

Restoring these aircraft presents considerable challenges. The MiG-23UB's age and the scarcity of original components will require specialized skills and meticulous attention to detail. However, this project also presents an opportunity for Indian aerospace firms to demonstrate their capabilities in heritage aircraft restoration.

The IAF's initiative aligns with a global trend among air forces to preserve historic aircraft. For the IAF, this project is a tribute to the MiG-23's contribution to India's defence. These restored aircraft will serve as flying memorials, honoring the aviators who flew and trained on them, and showcasing India's advancements in aviation technology.

 

[Anant]

If possible, why not have one MiG-23UB and one MiG-23BN or MF instead? It would be a greater variety, and may arguably be better for the Vintage Aircraft Squadron.

 

[Instant Karma]

Very bad decision. That money should be spent on Tejas program.

 

[Anant]

Very bad decision. That money should be spent on Tejas program.

The money spent on restoring two MiG-23s is going to be a drop in the ocean for the Tejas program. That kind of money isn't going to get you even a basic avionics instrument, let alone a fighter.

 

[Chinese eater]

India doesn't have any company with prior expertise in restoring to make fly worthy. Company with technical expertise, financial stability, infrastructure and experience in this. Let see which company does this? No company other than HAL

 

[Tls Mani]

Why waste money on junk aircraft with poor avionics. Endangers pilots lives and ground sites.

 

[Anant]

Why waste money on junk aircraft with poor avionics. Endangers pilots lives and ground sites.

This is for the Vintage Aircraft Squadron. These aircraft conduct a few ceremonial flights each year, and the level of care the aircraft get make accidents very rare.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I dont have courage to ride in a decades old aircraft which had been previously retired.

 

[Neel Martin]

Why waste money on junk aircraft with poor avionics. Endangers pilots lives and ground sites.

You point is valid though.
The flogger is one heck of a fighter jet as the western fliers calls it Mad pig hit with bullet. it flew in Tarang shakti Sep24 as well and garnered lot of attention especially by the participating 12 Airforces. Half a million or less would make it as to Flogger K if not L. And in long run by their acceleration capability at very low altitudes they will contribute for IAF's AI inductions and upcoming drone researches.

 

[ramdas]

This is a soviet era relic, don't think even the Russians have the expertise to service it. These people are asking Indian companies to maintain this fossil. Great.

 

[NSR]

What is wrong with IAF and its priorities?

Mig-29UPG spiralled out of control after take off and crashed today.
Why would IAF even bother about the vintage aircraft trainers?

Something basically wrong about IAF for sure.

 

[Instant Karma]

The money spent on restoring two MiG-23s is going to be a drop in the ocean for the Tejas program. That kind of money isn't going to get you even a basic avionics instrument, let alone a fighter.

Drop by drop make the ocean.

 

[beencensured]

India doesn't have any company with prior expertise in restoring to make fly worthy. Company with technical expertise, financial stability, infrastructure and experience in this. Let see which company does this? No company other than HAL

Old retired people who maintained such aircraft will be most qualified.

 

[Anant]

Drop by drop make the ocean.

In this case, we don't have too many drops that we can get. Hence, the difference is miniscule.

 

[Anant]

For folks saying this is an utter waste of money, please consider the following:

1. The amount of money and spares spent on restoring a few aircraft for the Vintage Aircraft Squadron are absolutely miniscule. As a reference, when the Squadron received their C-47 a few years back, the purchase of the aircraft from the scrapyard and the entire restoration to flight status had cost about a million dollars, which is a tiny amount in the grand scheme of things, and about 1.25% of the cost of a new Tejas. The cost of restoring an older aircraft sitting in storage is less than that.

2. Pilots flying these jets are specially trained to do so. They aren't the standard frontline pilots. Moreover, having met both an IAF and a RAF pilot who fly such aircraft, one of the key lessons they are taught is to not prioritise the aircraft over their own lives at any cost. Even with that, the almost lack of crashes of such aircraft shows that accidents are rare in this kind of thing.

3. These aircraft fly very rarely, and other than airshows and training, the aircraft are kept in hangar with some level of maintenance.

4. While these aircraft cannot be used in combat, such aircraft and squadrons have a very important role to play. In most nations around the world, recruitment is the responsibility of the force. For recruitment, you need to show your best technology and your legacy as a reminder to people. Vintage aircraft play a pivotal role in the latter. Any armed force has, among one of its responsibilities, the job of keeping and spreading its tradition and legacy into public awareness. These flights are important for doing so.