
Legendary MiG-21 jets set to retire after over six decades in service
The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, nicknamed 'Panthers' will be given a farewell at a ceremony in Chandigarh airbase on September 19, they said.
New Delhi, Jul 22 (PTI) The legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 aircraft are finally set to retire from the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September after remaining in service for over six decades, people aware of the development said on Tuesday.
After its first induction in the 1960s, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess.
However, the aircraft has a very poor safety record.
The MiG-21s were the dominant platforms during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
The aircraft also played a key role in the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as 2019 Balakot airstrikes.
With phasing out of the last of the few MiG-21s, the number of the IAF's fighter squadrons is expected to come down to an abysmal low of 29 from the officially sanctioned strength of 42.
The IAF was planning to replace the MiG-21s with Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (Mark1A).
However, there has been delays in supply of the indigenously-built aircraft by the state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF.
The ministry is also in the process of procuring 97 more LCA Mk-1As at a cost of around Rs 67,000 crore.
Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles.
The HAL is looking at supplying 12 Tejas jets to the IAF by March, 2025. PTI MPB KVK KVK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
YSRCP accuses Andhra govt of large-scale land irregularities in Vizag
Visakhapatnam, Jul 27 (PTI) YSRCP leader and former minister Gudivada Amarnath on Sunday accused the TDP-led coalition government of 'large-scale land irregularities" and said it was behaving like a 'real estate agency" while allotting public lands to associates, firms and realtors at 'unjustifiably" low prices here. He alleged that the state government diverted prime land to newly incorporated firms with no credentials, undermining previous IT development plans initiated under the YSRCP regime. 'The TDP-led coalition government has committed massive irregularities in land allocations in Visakhapatnam since the government was formed," Amarnath said while addressing a press conference. He alleged that private companies received valuable land at rates as low as Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore per acre, calling it a 'quid pro quo'. He noted the land deals had created no IT jobs for Andhra's youth. The former minister further alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister Nara Lokesh were directly overseeing these land deals, and that public land was being 'looted" to benefit their associates. The YSRCP leader linked Naidu's frequent visits to Singapore to alleged corruption and old ties with tainted individuals there. Amarnath said that the YSRCP would launch a mass movement against the land scam and hold the Naidu-led coalition government accountable for allegedly diverting public wealth for private gains. Meanwhile, there was no immediate reaction from the ruling TDP. PTI MS GDK KH view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 23:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
Czech Republic president meets Dalai Lama in Ladakh
Leh, Jul 27 (PTI) Czech Republic president Petr Pavel on Sunday met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Ladakh, an official said. This is for the first time that a sitting head of a state has visited India to meet his holiness Dalai Lama, who had reached Leh on July 12 on a month-long tour of the Union Territory. 'President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning in Leh, Ladakh, India. During the meeting, the President extended his warm congratulations to His Holiness on the occasion of his 90th birthday," the office of the spiritual leader posted on X. The official handle run by the name of Dalai Lama also shared the picture of the meeting late tonight. PTI TAS NB NB Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
44 minutes ago
- News18
Farooq Abdullah condemns killing of Gujjar man in Jammu
Srinagar, Jul 27 (PTI) National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday expressed anguish over the recent killing of a Gujjar man in cross-firing with police in Jammu city. Calling the killing of Parvez Ahmad 'deeply unfortunate and regrettable," Abdullah echoed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's call for accountability and justice, emphasising that the use of force by law enforcement agencies must be responsible and proportionate. Parvez Ahmad (21), a Gujjar hailing from the Nikki Tawi area of Jammu, was killed in a crossfire when police were allegedly chasing drug peddlers in the Satwari area on Thursday. His killing has sparked protests by the community, with his family accusing the police of murdering an 'innocent" man in a 'staged" encounter. 'This tragic loss of life cannot be brushed aside. It is imperative that a swift and impartial inquiry be initiated so that the truth comes to light and those responsible are held accountable," Abdullah said. He extended his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Muhammad Parvez in this hour of immense grief. Justice must prevail," he said. Abdullah also cautioned that such incidents have previously caused irreparable damage to public trust and societal harmony, and urged authorities to prevent their recurrence. PTI SSB HIG HIG (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 23:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.