Latest news with #MiG21
Hans India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
IAF to phase out 'flying coffins' MiG 21, replace with Tejas
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force will be phasing out its MiG 21 fighter jet aircraft by September 2025, and replace them with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A, defence officials said on Tuesday. First inducted in 1963, these jets will be retired after 62 years of service with the indigenously developed Tejas aircraft replacing them in all the current squadrons. The squadrons operating the MiG 21 plane are currently in Rajasthan's Nal Air Force base. The MiG 21 is also called the 'flying coffin' for the 400 crashes killing 200 pilots. "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 said. The MiG 21 is India's first ever supersonic jet, acquired as part of a deal with the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1963. The aircraft has had limited use in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, but was subsequently used multiple military conflicts since, including the 1999 Kargil War, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation the aircraft was also used during the 2019 Balakot airstrike against terrorist camps in Pakistan. During the operation, one MiG 21 was downed, leading to the capture of Wing Commander Abhinadnan. The present Air Force Chief of Air Staff, AP Singh, also flew the MiG 21 aircraft fighter jet has also been the mainstay of Air Force operations. However, the aircraft has been unofficially dubbed as the 'flying coffin' due to the various accidents with it. In October 2023, Number 4 Squadron, known as "Oorials" of the IAF based at Air Force Station Uttarlai (Barmer), Rajasthan, decommissioned their MiG 21 and Su-30 MKI, marking a watershed moment in the history of the squadron, which had been operating the MiG-21 since 1966. Earlier on July 17 2025, The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) were handed over the first set of wing assemblies for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by Larsen & Toubro, according to an official statement from the Ministry of (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar attended the event virtually as General Manager (LCA Tejas Division) M Abdul Salam received the assemblies on behalf of HAL from Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex unit of L&T.
Malaysia Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
Air Force to phase out MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025, will be replaced by Tejas Mk1A: Defence officials
New Delhi [India], July 22 (ANI): The Indian Air Force will be phasing out phasing out its MiG 21 fighter jet aircraft by September 2025, and replace them with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A, defence officials said on Tuesday. First inducted in 1963, these jets will be retired after 62 years of service with the indigenously developed Tejas aircraft replacing them in all the current squadrons. The squadrons operating the MiG 21 plane are currently in Rajasthan's Nal Air Force base. '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 said. The MiG 21 is India's first ever supersonic jet, acquired as part of a deal with the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1963. The aircraft has had limited use in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, but was subsequently used multiple military conflicts since, including the 1999 Kargil War, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Notably, the aircraft was also used during the 2019 Balakot airstrike against terrorist camps in Pakistan. During the operation, one MiG 21 was downed, leading to the capture of Wing Commander Abhinadnan. The present Air Force Chief of Air Staff, AP Singh, also flew the MiG 21 aircraft recently. The fighter jet has also been the mainstay of Air Force operations. However, the aircraft has been unofficially dubbed as the 'flying coffin' due to the various accidents with it. In October 2023, Number 4 Squadron, known as 'Oorials' of the IAF based at Air Force Station Uttarlai (Barmer), Rajasthan, decommissioned their MiG 21 and Su-30 MKI, marking a watershed moment in the history of the squadron, which had been operating the MiG-21 since 1966. Earlier on July 17 2025, The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) were handed over the first set of wing assemblies for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by Larsen & Toubro, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar attended the event virtually as General Manager (LCA Tejas Division) M Abdul Salam received the assemblies on behalf of HAL from Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex unit of L&T. In his address, the Secretary (Defence Production) commended the efforts of HAL and L&T towards achieving self-reliance. He hailed HAL for spearheading collaboration with different private sector partners, nurturing them and ensuring enhanced capability. He expressed confidence in meeting the requirement of the production target for LCA Tejas. He called for expanding horizons and focusing on reducing dependency on other countries. (ANI)
Mint
a day ago
- General
- Mint
MiG 21 fighter jets to retire after 62 years of service, Tejas Mk1A to takeover
The Defence officials said on Tuesday, July 22, said that the Indian Air Force will be phasing out its MiG 21 fighter jet aircraft by September 2025 after 62 years of service. They also said that they will be replaced with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A. The squadrons operating the MiG 21 plane are currently in Rajasthan's Nal Air Force base. A defence official said, '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.' In October 2023, Number 4 Squadron, known as "Oorials" of the IAF based at Air Force Station Uttarlai (Barmer), Rajasthan, decommissioned their MiG 21 and Su-30 MKI, marking a watershed moment in the history of the squadron, which had been operating the MiG-21 since 1966. Earlier in July 2025, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) were handed over the first set of wing assemblies for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by Larsen & Toubro, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar attended the event virtually as General Manager (LCA Tejas Division) M Abdul Salam received the assemblies on behalf of HAL from Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex unit of L&T.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air Force to phase out MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025, will be replaced by Tejas Mk1A: Defence officials
The Indian Air Force will be phasing out phasing out its MiG 21 fighter jet aircraft by September 2025, and replace them with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A, defence officials said on Tuesday. First inducted in 1963, these jets will be retired after 62 years of service with the indigenously developed Tejas aircraft replacing them in all the current squadrons. The squadrons operating the MiG 21 plane are currently in Rajasthan's Nal Air Force base. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MCA Operations Management Technology others Leadership Others Public Policy Management Design Thinking MBA Product Management CXO Digital Marketing Data Science Finance PGDM Project Management Data Analytics Data Science Degree Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details "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 said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When the Camera Clicked at the Worst Possible Time Read More Undo The MiG 21 is India's first ever supersonic jet, acquired as part of a deal with the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1963. The aircraft has had limited use in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, but was subsequently used multiple military conflicts since, including the 1999 Kargil War, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Notably, the aircraft was also used during the 2019 Balakot airstrike against terrorist camps in Pakistan. During the operation, one MiG 21 was downed, leading to the capture of Wing Commander Abhinadnan. Live Events The present Air Force Chief of Air Staff, AP Singh, also flew the MiG 21 aircraft recently. The fighter jet has also been the mainstay of Air Force operations. However, the aircraft has been unofficially dubbed as the 'flying coffin' due to the various accidents with it. In October 2023, Number 4 Squadron, known as "Oorials" of the IAF based at Air Force Station Uttarlai (Barmer), Rajasthan, decommissioned their MiG 21 and Su-30 MKI, marking a watershed moment in the history of the squadron, which had been operating the MiG-21 since 1966. Earlier on July 17 2025, The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) were handed over the first set of wing assemblies for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by Larsen & Toubro, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar attended the event virtually as General Manager (LCA Tejas Division) M Abdul Salam received the assemblies on behalf of HAL from Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex unit of L&T. In his address, the Secretary (Defence Production) commended the efforts of HAL and L&T towards achieving self-reliance. He hailed HAL for spearheading collaboration with different private sector partners, nurturing them and ensuring enhanced capability. He expressed confidence in meeting the requirement of the production target for LCA Tejas. He called for expanding horizons and focusing on reducing dependency on other countries.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
From warhorse to legend: MiG-21 to bow out after 62 years in Indian skies
ET Bureau Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel After more than six decades of service, which saw the combat aircraft taking part in all major Indian conflicts, the MiG 21 fighter jet is finally set to fly into the sunset, with a ceremonial farewell planned for last aircraft are part of the 23 squadron, also known as the Panthers, and will be sent off on September 19 at a ceremony planned at the Chandigarh airbase. The fighters will leave with a mixed legacy -- from being the first supersonic jets that gave India an edge in the 1960s and '70s to being plagued with accidents in later years that earned it the 'Flying Coffin' its departure -- Sq 23 is being number plated -- the Air Force will fall to a historic low of only 29 combat squadrons. This is the lowest combat strength the Air Force has since the 1960s -- even during the 1965 war, the Air Force had 32 fighter jet in 1963, the fighter jets in its many variants have been in service with the Indian Air Force for 62 years and has taken part in the 1965 war against Pakistan, the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, Kargil operations of 1999 and the Balakot strikes in 2019. Even during the ongoing Operation Sindoor, the last remaining MiG 21 squadron has been on operational alert."No other fighter has been associated with the IAF for as long as the MiG-21 - an incredible two-thirds of the IAF's 93-year history is inextricably linked to this jet. It has served in every combat action since 1965, through to Op Sindoor, and has touched the career of nearly every Indian fighter pilot alive today, in some form or another. There is no doubt this will be an emotional farewell to a legend of Indian skies," aviation expert Angad Singh said the farewell will see the senior Air Force leadership and veterans who have been associated with the fleet over the years, with flypasts and static displays planned to mark the holding the record for the longest-ever service in the Air Force, the MiG 21 fleet was also the biggest to be ever operated by India. In all, India acquired more than 850 aircraft of the MiG 21 family, including trainers. Almost 600 of these were made in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).While the operational life of the fighters has long been deemed to be over, the Air Force has been giving the remaining fleet life extensions as adequate modern fighter jets have not been ordered or made available to make up squadron numbers. Originally, the last few MiG 21 squadrons were supposed to be replaced by the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk1A) but deliveries of the indigenous fighter jets have been delayed over the years.
