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The MiG-21 jet was first inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963. – File photo
The MiG-21 aircraft called the ‘backbone’ of the Indian Air Force will retire on 26 September. During the 62 -year service, it played an important role in 1971 War, Kargil and many missions.
Now Tejas LCA Mark 1A will be included in its place. Fighter jet will be bid farewell to Chandigarh Airbase. After this, the services of the aircraft will end officially.
The MiG-21 jet was first inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963. It was India’s first supersonic jet i.e. it can fly faster than the speed of voice (332 meters per second).
Fighter Jet’s last 2 squadrons (36 MiG ‑21) are stationed at Nal airbase in Bikaner, Rajasthan. These are known as number 3 squadron cobra and number 23 squadron panthers.
MiG-21 Jet played an important role in the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the 1971 Bangladesh Mukti Sangram and the Kargil War of 1999. Now Tejas will replace the MK1A fighter aircraft.
According to data from the Ministry of Defense, more than 400 MiG-21 aircraft have crashed. More than 200 pilots have been killed in it. For this reason, the fighter plane is called ‘flying coffin’ and ‘Widow maker’.
In October 2023, the MiG-21 fighter aircraft flew over the city of Barmer in Rajasthan for the last time.
India bought 900 MiG-21 jets, now only 36 left
India bought 900 MiG-21 fighter jets. Of these, 660 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) made it in the country itself. According to reports, only 36 MiG-21 fighter jets are left in the Indian Air Force fleet. It provided excellent service for several decades.
Mig-21 crashed 7 times after 2021
- 5 January 2021: There was a MiG crash in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. In this accident, the pilot was successful in getting out safely.
- 17 March 2021: There was a MiG-21 bison plane crash near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. IAF Group Captain died in this accident.
- 20 May 2021: The second MiG-21 accident occurred in Moga, Punjab. Pilot lost his life in this accident.
- 25 August 2021: MiG-21 once again fell victim to the accident in Barmer, Rajasthan. In this plane crash, the pilot was successful in saving itself.
- 25 December 2021: The MiG-21 bison crashed in Rajasthan itself. Pilot lost his life in this accident.
- 28 July 2022: The MiG-21 aircraft crashed in Barmer, Rajasthan. Two pilots lost their lives in this incident.
- 8 May 2023: The MiG-21 aircraft crashed in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. Pilot safe.
On 8 May 2023, 3 women died in the MiG-21 crash in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. After this, the entire fleet of the aircraft was banned from flying.
Wing Commander Abhinandan’s Mig Crash was done in Balakot Air Strike
In February 2019, 40 soldiers of India were martyred in the Pulwama attack. 2 weeks later, on 26 February, the Air Force did an air strike from Mirage Jets at the Jish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp in Balakot.
Wing Commander Abhinandan was awarded the Vir Chakra on the occasion of Independence Day in 2019.
After this, Pakistan tried to target Indian military bases on 27 February. After this aerial attack, the Mig-21 Bison of Wing Commander Abhinandan Current also crashed. He was taken hostage by Pakistan. However, India later brought him back.
India was the largest operator of MiG-21 after Russia and China
MiG-21 was built in the Soviet Union. It was included in the Air Force in 1963.
After Russia and China, India has been the third largest operator of MiG-21. In 1964, the aircraft was first included in the Airforce as a supersonic fighter jet. The early jets were built in Russia and then India also achieved the rights and techniques to assemble the aircraft.
Since then, MiG-21 has played a key role on several occasions including the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the 1999 Kargil War of 1999. Russia stopped construction of this aircraft in 1985, but India continued to use its upgraded variants.
