| No. 223 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Badge of No. 223 Squadron IAF"The Tridents" | |
| Active |
|
| Country |  Republic of India |
| Branch |  Indian Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Garrison/HQ | AFS Srinagar |
| Nickname(s) | "Tridents" |
| Motto(s) | Vijayastra Amoghastra Weapon for Victory |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Mig-29UPG |
No. 223 Squadron (Tridents) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with MiG-29UPG and based at srinagar AFS. [1]
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 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] |
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