The Indian Air Force is going to say goodbye to its MiG-21 fighter aircraft forever. On September 19, 2025 this year, the MiG-21 fighter aircraft will be out of the Indian Air Force fleet. The MiG-21 fighter aircraft is one of the oldest and historical fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
According to defense officials, these aircraft will be bid farewell to the 23 Squadron (Panthers) at Chandigarh Airbase during a special program. Over time, MiG-21 fighter aircraft were called flying coffins due to old and repeated accidents.
MiG-21 played an important role in 1965, 1971 and 1999 war
There was a time when the MiG-21 was a trusted and strong fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. This aircraft contributed significantly to the Indo-Pak war of 1965. After this, MiG-21 played an important role in Bangladesh Mukti Sangram of 1971 and Kargil War of 1999. Not only this, MiG-21 also played the role of MiG-21 in the Balakot air strike held on February 26, 2019. The MiG-21 fighter aircraft joined the Indian Air Force for the first time in 1963. It was India’s first supersonic jet and this fighter aircraft has been a part of the Indian Air Force for 62 years.
The Air Force squadron will be 29 after being out of MiG-21. This number of squadron is less than the time of the 1965 war. This deficiency can be met with indigenous Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets. MiG-21 is a fighter aircraft purchased from the Soviet Union. MiG-21 last participated in Operation Sindoor in Pakistan in 2025 this year.
Tejas Mark-1A will be ready soon
It is noteworthy that the last version of MiG-21, MiG-21 Bison, was upgraded in 2000. Despite this, MiG-21 was a victim of accidents several times in a row. There have been many MiG-21 crashes in the last 60 years, in which many pilots also lost their lives. Therefore, MiG-21 is also known as ‘flying coffin’. While another MiG-21 is getting out of the fleet of the Air Force, the construction of Indian fighter jet Tejas Mark-1A is now accelerating. The American company has also started supply of jet engine to India for this fighter aircraft. India received the GE-404 engine for indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A.
Tejas will be installed in Mark-1A Ge-404 engine
According to defense officials, this is the second jet engine from the American company. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a public sector airline, is building Tejas. According to the information, HAL has to get a total of 12 GE-404 engines by the end of this financial year. All these engines will be installed in Indian fighter aircraft Tejas Mark-1A.
The Indian Air Force has ordered 83 LCA Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft for its fleet. Actually, the Indian Air Force needs new fighter aircraft. For this, the Air Force has opted for indigenous fighters.
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