No. 223 Squadron
Badge of No. 223 Squadron IAF"The Tridents"
Active
  • 10 May 1982 — July 1989
  • February 1990 — Present
CountryIndia Republic of India
Branch Indian Air Force
RoleFighter
Garrison/HQAFS Srinagar
Nickname(s)"Tridents"
Motto(s)Vijayastra Amoghastra
Weapon for Victory
Aircraft flown
FighterMig-29UPG

No. 223 Squadron (Tridents) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with MiG-29UPG and based at srinagar AFS.[1]

History

223 Squadron IAF was formed on 10 May 1982. It was the first Squadron in the IAF to be equipped with MiG-23 MF. The Squadron had the unique distinction of operating MiG-23s from Leh airport one of the highest airfields a fighter has ever operated from. The Squadron was christened The Swing Wing Interceptors in accordance with the aircraft it operated then.

In May 1989, the phasing out of MiG-23s started. Induction of the MiG-29s commenced in early 1990 and within a few months the Squadron had its full complement of aircraft and was fully operational. Since the swing wing was no more applicable the Squadron changed its nickname to Tridents.[2]

The squadron's crest shows the striking end of "Trident". As per Indian history, this three pronged weapon, is Lord Shiva's powerful weapon. He is also known as the God of destruction.[3]

The squadron was moved to Srinagar after the decommissioning of No. 51 Squadron.[4]

Aircraft

Aircraft Types operated by 223 Squadron[5][6]
Aircraft Type From To Air Base
MiG-23 MF 10 May 1982 July 1989 AFS Adampur
MiG-29 UPG February 1990 July 2023
August 2023 Present AFS Srinagar[4]

References

  1. ^ "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ Pike, John. "Squadron 223". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  3. ^ Pike, John. "Squadron 37". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. ^ a b "India Deploys New Fighter Jet Squadron In Srinagar To Counter Pak, China". NDTV. 12 August 2023.
  5. ^ "No.223 Squadron Tridents". Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  6. ^ "India for peace, but will use might to protect itself: President Ram Nath Kovind". Hindustan Times. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2022.


Categories