The MiG-21 is a particularly difficult aircraft to manoeuvre because of its high-speed landing and restricted runway visibility owing to the canopy design. Since it is a single-engine aircraft, bird-hits tend to affect it more. Environmental factors peculiar to Indian conditions, too, impact the aircraft.
At present, the IAF has 33 squadrons of fighter jets of all types including MIGs, Jaguars, Mirage and SU-30, the projected strength is 42 to maintain operational preparedness and edge over Pakistan and China.
The MiG 21 Bison is an upgraded version of the MiG 21, which was dubbed the ‘flying coffin' after a spate of crashes that killed its pilots. However it forms a major part of the Indian Air Force's fighter jet squadron.
