Jamnagar air base (Gujarat): The MiG-23MF fighter aircraft, which played a key role in countering a possible threat from Pakistan's F-16s for the last 25 years in the western sector, on Tuesday bid adieu to the force with one last ceremonial flight.

Four MiG-23s took off here in the presence of top Air Force officials, including Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi, as another was ceremonially towed in front of the guests.

A MiG-23 flew with a banner that read: "End of an era." The other three in a "Vic" formation followed it. The aircraft then peeled of in two directions above the cheering audience.

"This is a very emotional moment for us as these aircraft, in which our men have worked for several years, will now become a part of aviation history. It is not easy to say goodbye," an emotional Air Chief Marshal Tyagi told reporters.

The Russian-made MiG-23s were phased out because heavy financial costs were being incurred on their maintenance.

``It is too costly to maintain them because of non-availability of spare parts. Maintaining these aircraft was like maintaining vintage cars. Hence, the Air Force had to take the decision to phase these aircraft out," the Air Chief said.

He said the acquisition of 24 advanced jet trainers (AJT) from Britain was likely to begin by July and the aircraft were expected to start flying from September.

These aircraft would be part of a total of 66 AJTs that the IAF was going to acquire.

The acquisition of AJTs had been under consideration for the past two decades. These were small agile aircraft capable of flying at trans-sonic speed and could be of great help in imparting training in air combat techniques and air-to-ground weapon delivery.

Noting that the IAF played a vital role in defence, he said the aim was not to go to war but to avert war by having a strong defence. He said that historically, threats had come from neighbours like Pakistan and China. "Though India is trying to better its ties with these two countries, peace can exist only when the country is strong enough to counter any threat."

To a question on suicides in the armed forces, he said that statistically there was no change in the suicide rate. It was only that there was more awareness of such cases among the people now because of the media, he said. — PTI

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