Untold Story Of IAF MiG-25 Foxbat

In his first interview on a gamechanging MiG-25 Foxbat mission that turned the tide of the Kargil conflict, a veteran IAF pilot Wing Commander Pradeep Thakur breaks his silence after 21 years on those momentous, pioneering flights.

Where credited, photos by Cherian Thomas for The Indian Express & Sanjay Simha on Bharat Rakshak / Other photos are courtesy Wing Commander PJ Thakur's archives

[ashwinikchannan]

Thank you Shiv for this video. PJ Thakur and I go a long way back to the National Defence Academy being from the same 55th Course, in fact both of us got relegated on the same day and on the same medical grounds on injuries sustained while undergoing training. PJ is a very reticent person, also known for his bluntness and getting him to do the show was a great piece of "persuasion" by you. He had spoken to me often of this mission but was very uncomfortable in sharing it further. It was great of Air Marshal Raghu Nambiar to have mentioned PJ's contribution in the manner that he did, when you had interviewed him earlier (I saw it). All the very best!

[hematripathi]

Back at Barreily in 2005 my father was posted to No.35 sqn with MiG-21 type 96, who shared the base with no.102 Trisonics with MiG-25s, Foxbats were common in skies over Barreily carrying out recce, etc.etc., just by hearing the sound of the engines one could clearly tell that it was the Foxbat rolling down the tarmak, we were posted to the base for 3 good years but i never got an opportunity to see the aircraft while it was standstill ie.parked for public viewing, we only saw the fishbeds and flogger during a public display, even that was restricted for any civillian, i have met a couple of ex-trisonics and let me tell you they had tons of stories to tell about this aircraft, Thank you Shiv for this video, and i really appreciate your Landings and Jai Hind🇮🇳🇮🇳

[jevelyncynthia]

Hello sir, Thank you for this wonderful video about MIG-25.My dad is in the photograph from who went to Russia for the special training on MIG-25 and he felt extremely happy to see this.He was on the core team for more than 10years on Spy photography on MIG-25.

[ajeyparanjape]

During my tenure in the IAF, I was very fortunate to have been able to sit in the cockpit of this wonderful aircraft. I had happened to have gone there on duty and, as is said in this video, even serving Air Force personnel were not allowed to even enter the squadron area unless authorised to do so. Luckily the officer posted there had earlier worked under my dad, so he allowed me a peek into the cockpit of this aircraft. Fond memories

[jamesfallon]

Thank you Wing Commander PJ Thakur sir for your excellent service for the Nation & an unmatched role in Kargil. I feel myself lucky that I got to know about you today. 🙏🙏🙏
The real heroes must always be introduced to the Nation, thanks Shiv sir.

[dhananjayprasad]

Thanks to air force given the chance to serve in IAF. I enjoyed a 20 yrs of glorious time in IAF. Super life spent in Air fore. Thanks IAF.

[battleaxes_raavan]

Such a kind-hearted person he is. Haven't seen a person this much humble.

[YogeshBagga]

Excellent walk-thru PJ's Foxbat Ops memory lane and the remarkable 1999 Recce mission that shall ever shine in the Air Power part of the history of Kargil War. Having known PJ at Halwara (Where I was an ATC Officer), and later having learnt my first lesson on Foxbat imaging V/H principles from PJ, I wasn't surprised at Air HQ (where I was heading IMINT), it was PJ who did the Gr8 mission that spilled the PAK beans over the hill. Happy landings PJ wherever you are. A truly Gr8 video Shiv. Keep it up.

[spectre]

The Mig-25 had an incrediblely powerful camera which could take pictures penetrating deep into enemy territory.Its a Legend!!!

[anantgautam]

We have never heard about the Foxbat like this ever.Thank you Wing Commander Saab for sharing all this with us.

[supersaiyan]

The foxbat was so fast it could even outfly an air to air missile 😍
Legend

[umamaheshwarrao]

Thank you for this article Mr.Shiv Aroor
Am very happy to see Wg Cdr PJ Thakur after a long time.
I was technician in Mig 25 squadron at that time.
Wg Cdr PJ Thakur was our Flight Commander.I had the privilege of serving under him in Flight Commander's Office

[ivanjalaluddin]

Thank you for recording this gem of an interview.Wing Commander Thakur’s clearly and precisely articulated first person account places us in the cockpit of this iconic aircraft, and also puts in perspective the key role the Foxbat played in Kargil.Oral history at its best 👍

[mohandas]

Great to hear you sir. Was a young controller when you were there. Remember your powerful voice on R/T (202) like the AC you flew..
Regards

[venkatvenugopal]

What an an awesome video. I’ve always been fascinated by the foxbat. To hear a pilot talk about a mission was extraordinary. I loved it when wg cdr Thakur said, once airborne nobody could touch him, 😀, what a feeling that must have been. So glad shiv you’re immortalising these heroes and their stories. May it inspire a whole new generation!

[chinmaysamal]

this is what we look upto most. Our heroes and their stories. Pure Gold.

[arindamdutta]

What a treat & joy to hear first hand. My father is NDA 11 course and I for one have always had a weakness for fighter aircrafts. Kindly continue to tap on the older retired pilots within the airforce those who were active during the 1965 and 1971 operations. I am sure each of them have some truly amazing stories that are worth hearing and safe keeping. Loved this clip.

[jithendraaproop]

Thanks Shiv, for bringing these stories to the general public. Followed every second of the interview. The real matter is in the details and this is one of those.

[alokmaurya]

You are doing a great job bringing out these heroes along with their stories before they are forgotten. Thank you!

[sid.kavalu]

This was such a joy to hear him talk about the aircraft