Latest news with #AbhinandanVarthaman
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
9 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
The story of Tejas Mk-1A that will replace IAF's MiG-21s set to phase out in September
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is ready to bid adieu to its MiG-21 fighter jets after over 60 years of service. The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A aircraft will replace the ageing planes. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the new version of Tejas is an indigenous 4.5 generation, multi-role combat aircraft powered by the American GE F404 engine read more India is retiring its MiG-21 fighter jets after 62 years of service. These aircraft are being replaced by the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to phase out MiG-21s by September this year and replace them with the indigenously developed newer Tejas fighter jets. Currently, there are only two MiG-21 squadrons – 36 warplanes – in operation, both at the Nal Air Base in Rajasthan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's a look at the Tejas fighter jets replacing India's longest-serving fighter plane. MiG-21s to fly no more First inducted in 1963, MiG-21 is a single-engine, single-seater multi-role fighter/ground attack aircraft. Designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (OKB) of the erstwhile Soviet Union, the fighter jet bolstered the Indian Air Force over the years. It was deployed during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, 1999 Kargil War and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. MiG-21 was also used during the 2019 Balakot air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. The then Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, piloting a MiG-21, had shot down a F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan during an aerial combat. An Indian Air Force MIG-21 aircraft Dornier flies during the inaugural day of the five-day Aero India 2019 airshow at the Yelahanka Air Force station, in Bangalore on February 20, 2019. File Photo/AFP While MiG-21 was the IAF's backbone, it came to be infamously known as 'widow-maker' or the 'flying coffin' due to several crashes over its decades of service. About 500 MiG-21s have crashed in the last 60 years, resulting in the death of 170 pilots, as per government data. Over 20 aircraft have crashed since 2010. Now, the IAF will phase out its ageing MiG-21s that remain in service. 'Indian Air Force to phase out the MiG-21 fighter jet by September this year. 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,' a defence official was quoted as saying by ANI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tejas Mk-1A to boost India's defence The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A is an indigenous 4.5 generation, all-weather and multi-role combat aircraft. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), these fighter jets are designed for deployment in high-threat aerial environments. The Tejas Mk-1A has several upgrades over the Tejas Mk-1 version, including Israel EL/M-2025 AESA Radar, Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite with a jammer, and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities. A homemade digital fly-by-wire flight control computer has been integrated into the Tejas jet. These fly-by-wire systems replace mechanical flight controls in an aircraft with an electronic interface. 'In a significant development towards Tejas Mk1A programme, the digital fly-by-wire flight control computer (DFCC) was integrated into prototype LSP7 and successfully flown on February 19,' the defence ministry said earlier. The combat aircraft has about nine hard points to carry different types of weapons, including the Israeli-built Derby missiles and the indigenous ASTRA missile. 'The Tejas Mk1A will have an advanced electronic RADAR, warfare and communication systems, additional combat capability and improved maintenance features,' according to HAL. The aircraft is capable of air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In February 2021, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for procuring 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF. It said it is also in the process of procuring 97 more of these warplanes for around Rs 67,000 crore. However, the delay in the delivery of Tejas MK-1A has frustrated the air force. Even Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flagged the issue. In August 2021, HAL placed an order with America's GE Aerospace for 99 F404 engines worth Rs 5,375 crore to power the Tejas Mk-1A. The first of these jet engines finally delivered to HAL in April, after a delay of over a year. The US company is running behind schedule to provide the engines for the Tejas fighter jets by two years. 'We are working with our partner HAL and suppliers to resolve constraints and deliver F404-IN20 engines for the LCA Mk1 programme,' GE Aerospace said, as per Financial Express. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Twelve Tejas Mk-1A are expected to be rolled out this year. The US firm will deliver 10 engines by the end of 2025. 'It takes about a month to integrate the engines and do the tests. The process first involves building the fuselage, then getting the lobing and piping done, followed by combining the landing gear,' a government official told Indian Express. 'After integrating the engines, the ground runs, including the high-speed runs, are carried out for all thorough checks,' the official added. The IAF is counting on the advanced Tejas jets as the number of its fighter squadrons has plunged to 31 from an official sanctioned strength of 42. With inputs from agencies
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- General
- Express Tribune
IAF to phase out its last MiG-21 fighters next month
An Indian Air Force personnel arranges ammunitions in front of MIG-21 fighter plane at DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow, India, February 5, 2020. REUTERS/ Pawan Kumar India is set to formally retire its remaining MiG-21 fighter jets in September, drawing the curtain on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) longest-serving and most controversial combat aircraft. Currently operated by the IAF's 23 Squadron, known as the Panthers, the aircraft will be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. India inducted over 700 MiG-21s over the years, including several variants such as the Type-77, Type-96, BIS, and the upgraded Bison models. Many were licence-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to The Hindu, the final squadrons of MiG-21s are currently stationed at the Nal air base in Rajasthan. Their phase-out will reduce the IAF's operational fighter strength to 29 squadrons, its lowest in decades, until Tejas units are fully integrated. Read: PAF aircraft shine at UK air show The aircraft have been marred by controversy, most notably during the 2019 aerial confrontation with Pakistan. In the aftermath of India's Balakot airstrike, a MiG-21 Bison flown by then Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Frequent crashes over the years earned them the nickname 'Flying Coffins', with official records showing the deaths of around 170 pilots and 40 civilians in MiG-21-related incidents. A major incident was recorded in May 2023, when a MiG-21 crashed near Suratgarh, Rajasthan, during a training, leading to the deaths of three civilians.
India Today
12 hours ago
- General
- India Today
Six decades of MiG-21: How IAF's crown jewel became flying coffin
As an Antonov-124 cargo aircraft unloaded three desert-camouflaged advanced multi-role attack AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Army on Tuesday, news of another aviation behemoth was about to make waves across the Soviet-era MiG-21s, also India's first supersonic jet, long regarded as the workhorses of the Indian Air Force and guardians of the nation's skies for over six decades, were officially announced to take their final flight by September warplane is set to be formally retired with a ceremonial send-off in Chandigarh. It will be replaced by the indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. For anyone who has ever heard the aircraft roar to life during take-off or ripping through the skies mid-flight, that deafening sound is unforgettable – enough to give you goosebumps. One can only imagine the fear it instilled in the enemy ranks as it thundered overhead. But as the aircraft aged, a grim moniker began to overshadow its legacy – it earned the name "flying coffin".Except for Operation Meghdoot to secure the Siachen Glacier in 1984, where MiG-23s and MiG-29s played a more pivotal role in high-altitude airbases, the MiG-21 participated in nearly every war or conflict India has faced since 1963, when it was inducted in IAF: the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, the 1999 Kargil War, the Balakot airstrikes in 2019, and most recently, Operation was this third-generation Soviet fighter jet that Group Captain (then-Wing Commander) Abhinandan Varthaman was flying during the Balakot airstrikes' aftermath, when Pakistani F-16s were about to cross into Indian airspace. In the dogfight, the MiG-21 Bison downed a far more advanced fourth-generation US-made F-16 before itself being shot down, with Varthaman captured and later returned from Operation Safed Sagar – IAF's support to the Indian Army's Operation Vijay during the 1999 Kargil War – the MiG-21 flew alongside Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, and Jaguars, delivering punishing strikes in the world's harshest combat terrain in the WARHORSE THAT OUTLIVED ITS GLORYThen-Union Defence Minister AK Antony said in 2012 that 482 of 872 MiG-21 jets had crashed since its induction. Since 2010, there have been over 20 such crashes resulted in the deaths of over 170 fighter pilots of the fact, the fighter aircraft reportedly saw two crashes in its very first year of induction into the in July 2022, a trainer variant of the MiG-21 went down, resulting in the death of both pilots 2021, five MiG-21 Bison aircraft were lost in accidents, with three pilots losing their of the most recent accidents occurred in May 2023, when a MiG-21 crashed during a routine training mission near Suratgarh in Rajasthan. The pilot survived, but the debris struck a house in Hanumangarh district, claiming the lives of three IAF grounded the entire MiG-21 fleet after that the years, the crashes have been attributed to different reasons, including mechanical failures, human errors, bird strikes, and in some cases, spatial disorientation experienced by the warplane, designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the 1950s, was a technological marvel when inducted into the its use beyond its intended service life, combined with design limitations and maintenance challenges, led to frequent many aviation and defence enthusiasts regard it as one of the finest fighter jets of its time. The fact that an Air Force as large as India's continued to operate it for nearly 63 years speaks volumes about its a big reason the phasing out of the MiG-21s was delayed was the production delays of the LCA Tejas – an issue that the current Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, has been notably vocal the MiG-21 was reportedly designed for a service life of approximately 20-25 years, with retirement expected by the Indian MiG-21s were license-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which built over 650 of them, including various variants such as the MiG-21FL, MiG-21M, MiG-21bis, the final version, the MiG-21 Bison, and MiG-21U/UM (trainer variants).But sourcing spare parts became problematic after the Soviet Union ceased production in 1985. India had to resort to procuring second-hand spares from Israel and Ukraine, which Moscow warned could compromise safety back in the early the IAF has just 36 MiG-21 planes left in its as India advances toward developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter, the legacy of the MiG-21 remains polarising. Once the backbone of the Air Force until the mid-2000s, it helped India win wars, but also claimed over 170 pilots and nearly 40 civilian lives in crashes.- EndsMust Watch
India.com
a day ago
- General
- India.com
After 62 Glorious Years Of Service, India's Legendary MiG-21 Fighter Jet Set To Retire
In a significant move, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially announced the retirement of its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets. The aircraft, which has served the nation since 1963, will take its final flight on September 19, 2025 from the Chandigarh Air Base, home to the IAF's 23rd Panther Squadron. Nicknamed the "AK-47 of the skies" for its precision and reliability, the MiG-21 has safeguarded India's airspace for over six decades. Initially used for surveillance in the 1965 war due to a lack of trained pilots, the jet proved its mettle in the 1971 India-Pakistan war by downing 13 Pakistani aircraft with only one loss. It also played a crucial role in the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, where Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman famously shot down a Pakistani F-16 using his MiG-21 Bison. In today's DNA, Zee News Managing Editor, Rahul Sinha decorded the glorious years of India's Legendary MiG-21 Fighter Jet. Watch Today's Full Episode Despite its valor, the MiG-21's history is also marred by frequent crashes, earning it the grim title of "flying coffin." Still, it remains the world's oldest operational fighter jet, with several countries like Syria, Libya, North Korea, and Cuba still using modified versions. Others, such as Yemen and Uganda, continue flying its original version. Interestingly, civilians in some countries can now purchase retired MiG-21s for display, subject to strict demilitarization and licensing. Designed by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, the aircraft's name stands for MiG – Mikoyan-Gurevich. Globally, over 11,500 units have been produced and used by more than 60 countries. As India prepares to bid farewell to this legendary warbird, the MiG-21's legacy of bravery, sacrifice, and excellence will remain deeply etched in the golden pages of the Indian Air Force's history.
News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
Indian Air Force To Retire MiG-21 Fighter Jets: A Complete Timeline
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to retire its remaining Russian-made MiG-21 Bison fighter jets by September this year. (File Pic) At present, the IAF operates two squadrons of the upgraded Bison variant. Sources have indicated that a formal farewell ceremony is being planned to honour the aircraft that has served the nation for decades and played a pivotal role in several key operations. (File Pic) The MiG-21 Bison, an upgraded version of the MiG-21bis, had been first inducted into service in 1976. According to several reports, the MiG-21 had completed its retirement period in the mid-1990s. (File Pic) Notably, during the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew a MiG-21 Bison and engaged in a high-profile dogfight with Pakistani jets. Only the Bison variant of the MiG-21 remains in service today. (File Pic)
