MiG-21 fighter jets used by the IAF will be retired by 2025?

By 2025, the four squadrons of ageing MiG-21 aircraft currently in service with the Indian Air Force are anticipated to be retired. The Indian Air Force introduced supersonic fighter planes in 1963. Due to deadly crashes, they have recently been in the news.

The IAF intends to phase out its three squadrons of MiG-29 fighter jets by 2027 and retire its MiG-21 fighter jets by 2025. The IAF has developed a three-year timeline to phase out the MiG-21 fleet, according to a recent report.

According to reports, the IAF's strategy to gradually phase out the MiG-21 planes was created before the most recent incident. It is a part of the IAF's effort to update its fleet of fighter jets. Approximately 70 MiG-21 and 50 MiG-29 fighter jets are currently in service with the IAF.  If you are preparing for competitive exams and looking for expert guidance, you can download our General Knowledge Free Ebook Download Now.

Current Affairs Ebook Free PDF: Download Here  
Attempt Free Mock Tests- Click Here

When their twin-seat MiG-21 Type 69 trainer crashed during a night sortie in Rajasthan's Barmer area on July 28, 2022, two IAF pilots—Wing Commander M Rana (38), and Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal (26), were killed.

The Indian Air Force historically relied heavily on MiG-21 fighter jets, but in recent years, the aircraft has come under fire for its extremely subpar safety record. Since January 2021, at least six MiG-21 fighter jet crashes have claimed the lives of five pilots.

Since 1971, 400 out of the 872 MiG-21 fighter jets that have been produced have crashed, killing over 200 pilots and 60 civilians.

People now doubt the MiG-21 fleet's safety, especially in light of the incidents, which have raised concerns about maintenance and spare parts quality.

The Indian Air Force received its first fleet of MiG-21s in 1963. In approximately the ensuing decades, India acquired over 700 different MiG variants.

Currently, the Indian Air Force possesses four MiG-21 squadrons.

On September 30, 2020, the "51 Sword Arms" Squadron, located in Srinagar, will become the first MiG-21 Squadron to be "number-plated" or decommissioned. Over the following three years, the IAF will retire one squadron from the MiG-21 fleet per year. In order to retire a squadron, which typically consists of 17–20 aircraft, the number plating is used.

The Pakistan Air Force's retaliation to the IAF's February 26, 2019, strikes on the Jaish-e-Mohammed compound was thwarted in large part because of the 51 Squadron.

On the same day, Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was a Wing Commander at the time in the Indian Air Force, perished while shooting down an F-16. His aircraft had crashed on Pakistani soil, and he was imprisoned there for 60 hours before being freed. Later, he received the Vir Chakra from Ram Nath Kovind, the president at the time.

Previously, high-altitude supersonic interceptor MiG-21 fighter jets from the Soviet era had a significant impact on air operations, particularly during the India-Pakistan 1965 and 1971 wars.

To replace the fleet of outdated fighter jets, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 48000 crore agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in February 2021 for the purchase of 83 Tejas fighter aircraft.

114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft are also being acquired by the Indian Air Force (MRFA). As part of an ambitious USD 5 billion initiative to improve its air power capability, India is also aiming to construct a fifth-generation medium-weight deep penetration fighter jet.

If you want to prepare for Government Jobs, you can get an expert’s guidance with the help of Safalta’s Free Courses: Subscribe Now. Safalta will guide you to prepare for exams like SSC GD, NDA & NA, UP Lekhpal, SSC MTS, etc. Moreover, the aspirants can check E-Books, Mock-Tests, and Current Affairs for free.