For years, one of the Indian Air Force's most secret missions remained largely hidden from the public. On May 27, 1997, an Indian MiG-25 reconnaissance aircraft flew deep into Pakistani airspace at around 65,600 feet and a speed of Mach 2.4.
The MiG-25, known to NATO as the “Foxbat”, was one of the fastest operational military aircraft ever built. Along with the American SR-71 Blackbird, it was capable of flying close to three times the speed of sound.
India operated a small fleet of just 10 MiG-25s, including eight single-seat reconnaissance aircraft and two twin-seat trainers. They were operated by 102 Squadron, known as the Trisonics, and were primarily used for highly classified surveillance missions.
During the 1997 mission, the aircraft flew over sensitive locations in Pakistan. Its speed and altitude made it extremely difficult for contemporary fighters to intercept. The Pakistan Air Force detected the aircraft and reportedly scrambled F-16 fighters, but the MiG-25 had already disappeared from the area.
According to retired Wing Commander Pradeep Jaswant Thakur, who was part of the squadron, the aircraft did indeed cross into Pakistani airspace at around 20 kilometres altitude and Mach 2.4. He dismissed later claims that the aircraft deliberately flew low enough to break windows with sonic booms.
The MiG-25's main weapon was not missiles or guns but cameras. The reconnaissance aircraft carried five large cameras in its nose. Four photographed wide strips of terrain, while another captured precise coordinates of targets. The photographs could later be used to guide military operations.
The missions were kept so secret that even other members of the squadron often knew nothing about them. Tasking was delivered personally to selected pilots, while other bases were simply placed on standby without being told when the aircraft would take off or where it would go.
The Foxbat also played a crucial role during the 1999 Kargil War. Unlike its usual high-altitude missions, the aircraft was flown much lower to locate bunkers and positions hidden among the mountains. Flying at around 33,000 feet and close to Mach 0.95 allowed its cameras to capture targets that could not easily be identified from extreme altitude.
Because flying at lower altitude removed much of the MiG-25's natural protection, Mirage 2000 fighters were assigned to escort it, while MiG-29s provided cover from above. The intelligence gathered by the aircraft helped Indian strike pilots identify precise target locations.
The MiG-25 also had a more unusual assignment. In 1995, Air Marshal Sumit Mukerji flew a twin-seat version of the aircraft at around 80,000 feet and Mach 2.5 to photograph a total solar eclipse for scientists at the Udaipur Solar Observatory. By chasing the Moon's shadow, the crew extended the duration of the eclipse they could observe.
Eventually, satellites began providing higher-resolution imagery and reduced the need for manned reconnaissance flights. After almost 25 years of service, the Indian Air Force retired its MiG-25 fleet on May 1, 2006.
The Foxbat may have disappeared from India's skies, but its missions remain one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of Indian military aviation.
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