The Indian Air Force is set to officially retire the remaining squadrons of the Russian-made MiG-21 fighter jets in September. The MiG-21, which served as the backbone of the Indian Air Force for several decades, will now be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft in safeguarding the nation's skies. "The squadrons operating the aircraft are currently in Nal air base in Rajasthan. The LCA Mark 1A aircraft would be replacing the MiG-21s in the IAF," news agency ANI reported quoting Defence officials.
Fleet strength drops significantly
As per reports, the Indian Air Force currently has only 36 MiG-21 jets remaining in its fleet -- a sharp decline from the nearly 900 that once formed a formidable part of India's air defence, including around 660 built indigenously. The Russian-origin fighter jet first joined the IAF in 1963 and went on to serve with distinction for decades.
In October 2023, MiG-21 aircraft from the No. 4 Squadron took to the skies one final time over Barmer in Rajasthan. It was a symbolic farewell as the jets passed on their role in the border region to their successors, the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters.
Decades of glorious service
The MiG-21 Squadron has served the country for approximately six decades and has significantly contributed to the war effort during the India-Pakistan conflicts. The MiG-21 was the first supersonic fighter in the service of the Indian Air Force and was inducted in 1963. It has participated in all major conflicts since then. However, despite its combat history and unmatched legacy, the MiG-21 has increasingly come under scrutiny for its ageing technology and high accident rate. Once referred to as the "backbone" of the IAF, the jet had slowly earned an unfortunate nickname -- "flying coffin" -- due to a series of crashes over the years.
Accident-Prone and Ageing
One of the biggest reasons behind the phasing out is the MiG-21's poor safety record. More than 400 MiG-21s have crashed since their induction, as per reports. Many of these accidents were attributed to outdated technology, engine failures, and poor serviceability. Despite several upgrades and extensions of service life, the aircraft remained accident-prone.
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