Now Sukhoi fighter jets’ name will be associated with ISKCON’s Rath Yatra in Kolkata. Lord Jagannath’s chariot has been fitted with new tyres used for Sukhoi 4th generation fighter jets! The chariot, with the new set of tyres, will carry Lord Jagannath on this year’s Rath Yatra which will be held on June 27.

Each of the four tyres can withstand a load of 16 tonnes. The chariots of other deities will have iron wheels as usual.

Boeing Aircraft tyres used for Lord Jagannath Chariot for last 48 years

Prior to this, Lord Jagannath’s chariot was moving on tyres used for Boeing aircraft for the last 48 years. The ageing and worn-out old tyres have been replaced by the new tyres used for Sukhoi 4th generation fighter jets.

Vice President of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata Radharaman Das has shared that for the last 48 years, tyres used for Boeing aircraft were used to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath, but for the last 20 years they have been trying to get a replacement as technical issues cropped up with the four old tyres over time.

“We had fitted Boeing tyres with the main chariot in 1977 for the Lord’s journey on the roads of Kolkata. We have no information about such practices followed elsewhere in the country or Asia. We were looking for replacements but the maker of Boeing tyres, Dunlop had stopped operations years back. After thorough research, Sukhoi’s tyres closely matched our specifications as those have the same diameter size tyres used in Boeing,” Radharaman Das told PTI on Monday.

20 kms test run for Lord Jagannath Chariot with Sukhoi tyres

“We then contacted MRF which makes tyres for the Sukhoi fighter jets. The company’s experts came to Kolkata in December last year and inspected our chariot that carries the idol of Lord Jagannath on Rath yatra. After the tyres were fitted, the chariot had a test run for over 20 km in the city on May 31,” the ISKCON Vice President added.

Some structural adjustments had to be made in the wooden chariot to fit in the Sukhoi tyres, Das revealed. He further said, “So by the grace of Lord Jagannath his chariot got brand new tyres and we are confident of a smooth journey of the Lord on the day of auspicious Rath Yatra on June 27 and Ultorath-The return car festival on July 5.”

What is Sukhoi fighter jet?

Sukhoi refers to a family of Russian fighter jets designed and manufactured by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. These aircraft are known for their advanced features, maneuverability, and combat capabilities. Some notable Sukhoi fighter jets include the Su-30MKI, Su-35, and Su-57.

Sukhoi fighter jets are known for their maneuverability, advanced avionics, and powerful armament, making them highly capable air-to-air and air-to-ground fighters. Several models, like the Su-30MKI and Su-57, have specific features that distinguish them. The Su-57 features internal weapons bays, minimizing drag and enhancing stealth capabilities.

Sukhoi fourth-generation fighter jets

Sukhoi fourth-generation fighter jets, such as the Su-30MKI, Su-34, and Su-35, are known for their advanced features including thrust vectoring, powerful radar, and a range of weapons systems. These aircraft are designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, offering versatility and long-range operational capabilities.

Some models, like the Su-30MKI, have in-flight refueling capabilities, extending their range and endurance. This multirole fighter is known for its versatility, carrying a wide range of weapons and engaging in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Pakistan’s fake claim about Sukhoi shot down busted by India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB)

During tensions between India and Pakistan last month, a fake news being spread by Pakistani social media handles was busted by PIB Fact Check. Pakistan-based social media handles started spreading fake news that an Indian fighter jet was shot down and its pilot was captured in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The photo being used to support the claim showed a Sukhoi jet that had crashed in Maharashtra in 2014, the government of India said.

“Pakistani social media handles are claiming that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI was shot down in Muzaffarabad, capturing an Indian Pilot alive. This Sukhoi SU-30MKI of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed at Undre Vasti of Kulwadi village near Pune-Ahamad Nagar highway, Maharashtra on October 14, 2014. Do not share this post,” said the fact-checking unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

The government also shared a 2014 report showing the same photo. The caption confirmed the photo is of a Sukhoi Su-30MKI that had crashed over a decade ago.

During the India-Pakistan tensions, Pakistan flooded the digital space with misinformation in an attempt to control the narrative war after repeated setbacks in its offensives against India. The country’s backing for terror regimes also stood exposed, with India sharing key evidence of how terror camps flourished in Pakistan.