What was the iconic Sea Harrier that the Indian Navy just retired?

The Sea Harriers of the Indian Naval Air Squadron 300 (INAS 300) were bid adieu morning of May 11. Also known as ‘White Tigers’, the Sea Harriers fighter aircrafts will make way for new generation of fighters--Russian Mig29K jets. 

Post phasing out of Seahawk fighters from the Indian Navy in 1978, the Navy trained its sight on the S/VTOL Harrier being developed by the British Aerospace.

What is the Harrier?

Designed and Manufactured by British Aerospace, Sea Harrier is a naval Short/Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VSTOL) Jet Fighter, Reconnaissance and Strike aircraft.  It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980.  

History & significance of the Harrier

Post 1979, after receiving an approval from the government and the retiring of Seahawk fighters, the Indian Navy placed an order for 06 Sea Harrier FRS Mk 51 fighters and 02 T Mk 60 Trainers.

The first three Sea Harriers, landed at Dabolim on 16 December 1983. 

Inducted in the year 1983, the Sea Harriers have dominated the sky at sea protecting the Fleet from prying eyes of foreign Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircrafts. 

As part of the Royal Navy, Sea Harriers have served in the Falklands War, both of the Gulf Wars, and the Balkans conflicts, on all occasions it mainly operated from aircraft carriers positioned within the conflict zone.

Its usage in the Falklands War (1982) was its most high profile and important success, where it was the only fixed-wing fighter available to protect the British Task Force over 8000 miles from homeland.
 

Best known features

Its ability to take-off and land vertically is the most unique feature of this fighter.

The fighters were capable of Air to Air Refuelling to operate at extended ranges. The Sea Harrier operated from both INS Vikrant and INS Viraat where use of the ski jump allowed the aircraft to take off from a short flight deck with a heavier load than otherwise possible, although it can also take off like a conventional loaded fighter without thrust vectoring from a normal airport runway.

The Sea Harriers were also equipped with the Matra Magic II and Derby Air to Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missiles which makes the Sea Harrier a potent air defence fighter for the fleet at sea. 

The Sea Harrier was fitted with anti-ship Sea Eagle missile providing the best stand-off range anti ship capability to the fleet.

The fighters were also capable of firing rockets and dropping bombs in shore bombardment role or in action against lightly armed ship.