New Delhi: Taking note of the recurring incidents of MiG-21 plane crashes, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to retire 51 Squadron of the Mig-21 Bison aircraft by September 30 this year. And, the entire fleet of aircraft will be phased out by 2025.

The 51 squadrons of MiG-21 fighter aircraft are famously known for shooting down an F-16 aircraft of the Pakistani air force in post-Balakot air strikes.

The recent fatal crashes of the MiG-21 fighter jets have underlined the need for phasing out the ‘flying coffins’ from the force and rather induct safe & durable aircraft like LCA Tejas.

Rahul Singh @rahulsinghx wrote, "IAF & its MiG-21s: The air force got its 1st single-engine MiG-21 in 1963, & it went on to induct 874 variants of the Soviet-origin supersonic fighters. More than 400 MiG-21s were involved in accidents that claimed the lives of around 200 fighter pilots in the last 6 decades +"

Several pilots have perished in the MiG-21 crashes that took place in different parts of the country. 6 crashes have occurred since January 2021. Yesterday, 2 pilots were killed when a MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer district. Its debris was found scattered over half a km distance in the region.

Some portals citing govt sources said that after Squadron 51 ceases to exist, the Air Force will be left with 3 more squadrons. All of this will be phased out by the Year 2025, as one squadron would be retired every year.

The MiG-21 fleet was inducted into the Indian Air Force in the early 1960s and in the last few decades, there have been more than 200 accidents related to the fighter jets, in which many pilots lost their lives.

The IAF is likely to replace the fleet of MiG-21 fighter jets with other aircraft like SU-30 & the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Rajnath Singh @rajnathsingh on Sep 19, 2019, did mention LCA, "Flying on ‘Tejas’, an Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft from Bengaluru’s HAL Airport was an amazing and exhilarating experience. Tejas is a multi-role fighter with several critical capabilities. It is meant to strengthen India’s air defence capabilities."

The MiG-21 fighter jets were expected to be retired from service, a long time ago but the delay in induction of LCA Tejas aircraft forced the Air Force to continue operations with these planes.

DRDO @DRDO_India had also mentioned on Apr 28, 2021, that, "Tejas, India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, added the 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in its weapons capability yesterday, 27th April 2021. Trials were also aimed to validate the enhanced capability of already integrated Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) AAM."

If LCA was already in the pipeline since 2019 and was an amazing and exhilarating experience, then why old recurring crashing MiG-21 were not replaced or were we waiting for an accident to happen as a reminder to jolt things for the public to show that the Govt is doing something about it. 

Only this Feb 2022, Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal tweeted, "Tejas, The Showstopper! So proud to see the 'Made In India' Light Combat Aircraft Tejas make a stunning appearance at the #SingaporeAirShow2022. Aatmanirbhar Bharat is soaring high!."

Big Question

So, what actually caused IAF to still keep using MiG-21?

As of Jul 3rd, 2022 Indian Tech & Infra @IndianTechGuide boasted,  "Egypt and Malaysia are in talks with India to purchase Light combat aircraft 'Tejas MK-1A' from India. Egypt looking to buy 70 LC Aircraft, India offered Tejas ($42 million/unit) and to set up production and manufacturing facilities in Egypt. #Defense."

Not only him, just google or search on tweeter "Light Combat Aircraft India" and you will get a whole lot of ideas and questions too. Like this one: