The Iconic Sea Harrier's will be decommissioned from the Indian Navy on Wednesday as it will mark the end of an era in India's naval history, with an official ceremony phasing out the last of its iconic Sea Harrier jets.
The Harriers will be replaced by a squadron of Russian Mig 29k jets and the ceremony will be held at INS Hansa base in Vasco at Goa. Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, will be the Chief Guest for the ceremony. In a statement, Indian Navy said that its usage in the Falklands War was its most high-profile and important success, where it was the only fixed-wing fighter available to protect the British Task Force.
The aircraft, developed by the British in the 1960s, are best known for the ability to take off and land vertically, and for being the only class of jet that can hover like a helicopter. The Sea Harrier was used by the British during the Falklands War, both Gulf Wars, and during the NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The retired aircraft will be put on display in museums.
