The Indian Air Force (IAF) supersonic fighter aircraft MIG-21 has been formally started to retire from Rajasthan. Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew in MIG-21 at Nal Airbase in Bikaner. The Air Force chief became emotional after the flight.
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He said in a conversation with officers and airmen- Mig-21 has been the backbone of the Indian Air Force for more than six decades. In 1985, in Tezpur, I blew MIG-21 for the first time. This was a new experience. It is highly agile, manual and easy designed. It could climb at the rate of 200–250 meters per second on Max Rich. Flyers will always remember it.
Let us know that the last 2 squadrons (36 MiG ‑21) of MIG-21 fighter jet (36 MiG ‑21) are posted at Nal Airbase in Bikaner, Rajasthan. These are known as number 3 squadron cobra and number 23 squadron panthers.
After serving for 62 years in the Indian Air Force (IAF), the MiG-21 fighter aircraft will retire on September 19 and its services will end officially. The main farewell program of the fighter jet will be at the Chandigarh Airbase.
Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP. Singh flew in MIG-21 at the Naal airbase in Bikaner.
Now Tejas successor Air Chief Marshal Singh called Tejas a successor. He said- Tejas was made in place of MIG-21. It is small, whose design is based on MIG-21. While inspiration has also been taken from Mirage. The delta wing platform is due to this.
He said- Tejas fighter aircraft in the Air Force will replace Mig-21 well, although it will have to further avoid it to bring weapons. The contract of 83 Tejas aircraft has already been done.
The Air Force chief said that a new contract is also going to be signed soon. Just as we have different versions of MIG-21, Editions like MK-1, MK-2 of Tejas and later AMCA will now take place.
11 thousand MIG-21 created worldwide Air Force Chief AP Singh said- Around 11 thousand MIG-21 aircraft were built worldwide. More than 60 countries have operated it. It is one of the world’s most manufactured and run supersonic fighter aircraft.
He said- After serving for six decades, it has been decided to move forward by bid farewell to this aircraft. Modern platforms like Tejas, Tejas MK-2, Rafael and Sukhoi-30 will now replace it and retain domination in the Indian sky.
He said- Mig-21 was not just a machine, but a guru, war fellow and a symbol of India’s aerial capacity for many pilots. With the end of a chapter of MIG-21, the Indian Air Force is moving towards a new era, an era in which indigenous Tejas, Advanced Rafael and coming Amca will take India’s air power to new heights.
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.
Mig-21 crashed 7 times after 2021
- 5 January 2021: MiG crash took place in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. In this accident, the pilot was successful in getting out safely.
- 17 March 2021: A MiG-21 bison plane crashed near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. IAF Group Captain died in this accident.
- 20 May 2021: MiG-21 accident occurred in Moga, Punjab. Pilot lost his life in this accident.
- 25 August 2021: MiG-21 in Barmer, Rajasthan once again suffered an accident. In this plane crash, the pilot was successful in saving itself.
- 25 December 2021: MiG-21 Bison crashes in Rajasthan itself. Pilot lost his life in this accident.
- 28 July 2022: MiG-21 aircraft crashes in Barmer, Rajasthan. Two pilots lost their lives in this incident.
- 8 May 2023: MiG-21 aircraft crashed in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. Pilot safe.
See … Airforce chief Air Chief Marshal’s flight related photos
The Air Force chief flew the MiG-21 aircraft for the last time from the Naal Air Base in Bikaner.
The MiG-21 fighter aircraft will retire on 19 September after serving the Air Force for 62 years.
After flying for the last time in MiG-21, the Air Force Chief showed the thumb.
The Air Force chief joined hands with the posted airbase on the Nal airbase.
