Nasik: The country's first state-of-the-art prototype of the indigenously upgraded MiG-27 has been successfully test-flown in the first exercise of its kind, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Chairman R Mohanty said today (April 16, 2004).

The prototype, built as part of India's upgradation project, was test-flown successfully on March 25, he told reporters.

One of the 40 prototype scheduled to be produced by HAL was put into the skies, Mohanty said, adding it was commanded by Group Captain Ashit Mehta.

So far it has done five sorties and all were successful, he said.

The upgraded version enabling day/night vision has been refitted with state-of-the art electronic devices and avionics and its integration has been increased to improve navigational and attack capabilities, Mohanty said.