Mirage 2000 Air Dominance | Kargil Vijay Diwas | 21st Anniversary | 26 July 2020

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On the 9th May 1999, Pakistani Shelling along the Line of Control intensified and this began to threaten the most strategic National Highway 1A, which connects Srinagar to Leh. Soon it became clear that Pakistani artillery spotters were entrenched along the peaks on the Indian Side of the Line of control. The Indian Army suffered badly due to the terrain and also because attackers had the advantage of high peaks. On 26th May Indian Army formally requested the Indian Air Force support after suffering few un-acceptable losses.
The IAF had already flown few photo-recce missions and in the process a Canberra from 106 squadron was hit by a Stinger Missile on the 21st May over Batalik. Squadron Leader Alagaraja Perumal who could otherwise bail out from a battle damaged aircraft decided to fly for 45 minutes and made a safe landing at Srinagar. Subsequently all photo-recce missions were flown at higher altitude by Mig25 from 102 squadron.
The Kargil conflict of year 1999 was a unique challenge for the Indian Armed forces, as this war was to happen at high altitude where both man and machine find it extremely difficult to fight. Both helicopters and aircraft when attacking from a height need sufficient power to maneuver and engage enemy targets and in rarified atmosphere carrying heavy armament becomes a risky business.
The limitations of weapon firing at high altitude was proven on the 26 May 1999, while Flt Lt K Nachiketa was carrying out strikes against enemy posts by firing powerful 30 mm Gsha gun, the MiG27 aircraft engine flamed out due to ingestion of bullets firing smoke. The risk factor while attacking in hilly terrain was further multiplied by presence of heavy numbers of Stinger shoulder fired missiles which shot down a MiG21 which was piloted by Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja as he went little lower to locate the ejected pilot.
Attack helicopters like Mi-35, could not be used due to lack of reserve power while flying at such altitudes and hostile environment. Therefore only Mi-17 helicopter was used for ground support and also for firing weapons. However this famous workhorse of high altitude was also shot down by stinger missiles on 28 May. The Stinger missile was a war proven, fast, accurate and extremely effective weapon against low flying targets.
Totally unfamiliar surroundings in the Kargil area made target recognition difficult from the ground, let alone from a fast moving aircraft. As a result, the initial few sorties flown by MiG21, 23 and MiG27s were not very effective.
Considering various factors, the IAF finally decided to use Mirage 2000 aircraft as it could carry desired weapons and also attack with precision.
Initial missions were flown using 250 kg Spanish bombs. Each aircraft carried 6 bombs and MAGIC-2, Air to Air Missiles. Attack aircraft were escorted by Mirage 2000 from No. 1 Squadron which carried Beyond Visual Range Super 530D missiles apart from Mig29’s which provided top cover. The attacks took place initially on Point 5140 near Tololing in the Dras Sector. The Indian Army re-claimed this position on the 20th June.
No. 7 Squadrons made approximate 200 plus airstrikes on Muntho Dhalo, Tiger Hill and Point 4388 in Drass Sector. On the 17th June, a major enemy supply depot at Muntho Dhalo in the Batalik Sector was bombed by 250 kg bombs. This target was a major supply base in that Sector and the bombing killed over 100 Pakistanis along with destruction of many structures.
On June 24th, the Enemy Battalion HQ on Tiger Hill top was hit by two Mirage 2000 employing the ‘PAVEWAY’ Laser Guided Bomb (LGB). This was the first operational use of a LGB by the IAF and Wg Cdr Raghunath Nambiar at that time was the pilot in command. Later Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar became the Air Officer Commanding in Chief of the Indian Air Force's Western Air Command.
Initially Mirage 2000s were equipped with Thomson-CSF Laser Designator Pod, also known as ‘ATLIS’ to drop Matra 1000 kg LGBs to destroy reinforced concrete targets. No doubt they were highly capable but were expensive. Therefore normal 1000 lb bombs fitted with Paveway II laser-guided bomb kit were selected for the use.
This strike proved to be particularly effective causing severe damage to the enemy. It also gave Indian Army Troops a tremendous morale boost. After continuous air attacks, the Indian Army recaptured Tiger Hill on the 4th July after an 11-hour night battle.
Operation Safedsagar was, therefore, a turning point in the history of military aviation, and this great experience of precision bombing will always remain be in our minds each time the eagles fly over these beautiful Kargil Mountains.
On this day we Salute our air warriors and war heroes who made a supreme sacrifice to safeguard our motherland.
Jai Hind!
Wg Cdr (Retd) Rakesh Singh Chauhan

Видео Mirage 2000 Air Dominance | Kargil Vijay Diwas | 21st Anniversary | 26 July 2020 канала Torque Aviation