Aligarh, June 18 The Indian Air Force (IAF) has presented ground attack fighter Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 23 to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for academic purposes.

The IAF had recently retired MiG-23 after nearly 30 years in service.

Installed outside the Mechanical Department of the University, the fighter jet has now become a cynosure of all eyes. Students feel that the plane will be a good subject of study.

"It's a good thing for us because through the aircraft we can study about its parts and the technology inside it and design it," said Faizan, a student of AMU.

Another student said that after studying the parts of MiG 23, which is known for frequent engine troubles, they would be able to find out the exact reasons for the aircraft's crash.

M D Ahmed, head of Engineering Department, AMU, said that apart from study purpose the aircraft is also an added attraction for onlookers.

"In structural engineering it can be studied. Secondly, it will come handy for aeronautical engineering students as well. So this way it serves two purposes. First for study purpose and at the same time it's a symbolic representation of Indian Air Force (IAF) on the campus," he added.

Manufactured by the erstwhile Soviet Union in the 1970s, the MiG-23 used to be a prize possession of the IAF. (ANI)