MiG-21 Fighter Jets to retire in September

MiG-21 Fighter Jets to retire in September

Why in News? 

Recently, the Indian Air Force announced that it will retire the last squadrons of MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025. These jets have served for decades and their farewell marks the end of an era that shaped India’s aerial defence for generations.

Complete Overview of MiG-21 Fighter Jets to retire in September

• About: The MiG-21 is a fighter jet aircraft that joined Soviet service in 1959 with supersonic speed.

• • • It became the first supersonic jet to enter large-scale production successfully.

• Its lightweight body and powerful engine made it suitable for both interception and air superiority roles.

• • • India inducted the MiG-21 into the Indian Air Force in 1963. Since then, it has played a crucial role in various operations.

• Designer: A Soviet design group, Mikoyan-Gurevich, built the MiG-21 with a focus on speed and agility.

• Work on developing the MiG-21 started during the early years of the 1950s.

• The first prototype flew in 1956, and full production started by 1959.

• Variants: MiG-21 has more than 30 variants developed for different roles and countries. Some of the popular varieties are:

• • • MiG-21F: The original production version with basic weapons and radar.
    • MiG-21PF: Added radar-guided missile capability.
    • MiG-21FL: First version made for India, introduced in the early 1960s.
    • MiG-21MF: Introduced better radar and missile systems.
    • MiG-21bis: Most powerful Soviet version with an upgraded engine and avionics.
    • MiG-21 Bison: Specially upgraded Indian version with advanced radar, better cockpit systems, and missile compatibility introduced around 2000.

• Features: The MiG-21 was built to focus on speed and agility. The MiG-21 could fly faster than Mach 2 and was among the fastest jets of its era. Its top speed was around 2,175 km/h (1,350 mph). 

• The aircraft had a service ceiling of over 17,500 meters (57,400 feet), allowing it to fly at high altitudes.

• • • Its R-25 engine provides a powerful thrust during both normal and afterburner operations. 
    • The aircraft had a combat range of approximately 370 km, though it could extend further with external fuel tanks. 
    • It carried guns, air-to-air missiles, and bombs, making it suitable for multiple combat roles.
    • Its later upgraded MiG-21 Bison variants featured advanced avionics and radar.

• Operator Countries: The MiG-21 was used by over 60 countries, making it one of the most widely exported fighter jets in the world.

• • Apart from the Soviet Union, it was operated by countries like India, China, Egypt, Vietnam, Poland, and Romania.
  • India remains the largest operator and has used the MiG-21 in several wars and operations.

Historical Significance of the MiG-21 in the Indian Air Force

• • First Combat Jet: Before the MiG-21 entered service, the Indian Air Force had mostly operated aircraft provided by Western countries, including the UK and France. The arrival of the MiG-21 in 1963 marked India’s first step into defence cooperation with the Soviet Union. It was also the first time India relied on a non-Western origin combat aircraft for frontline duties. The aircraft stayed relevant for over six decades.

• 1965 War with Pakistan: The MiG-21 first saw significant combat during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, where it offered India an edge in speed and interception. This war between India and Pakistan was the first major conflict where the MiG-21 played a combat role under Indian command.  

• 1971 Indo-Pak War: The 1971 war between India and Pakistan highlighted the real strength of the MiG-21. This conflict led to the creation of Bangladesh, and the MiG-21 emerged as a game-changer in aerial warfare. The aircraft played a vital role in securing air superiority in the western sector, targeting key enemy locations and providing cover for Indian ground forces.

• In 1971, an Indian MiG-21FL brought down a Pakistani F-104A, marking South Asia’s first supersonic air battle.

• Kargil Conflict: During the Kargil War in 1999, MiG-21s were deployed for high-risk missions in the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the age of the aircraft, they contributed to strategic reconnaissance and ground attack roles. 

• • • A few months later, in August 1999, two Indian MiG-21s intercepted a Pakistani Breguet Atlantic reconnaissance aircraft that had allegedly entered Indian airspace. 

• 2019 Balakot Attack: The MiG-21 again came into global focus during the events following the Balakot airstrikes in February 2019. The MiG-21 had engaged a more advanced F-16, which reinforced its relevance even in modern-day air combat scenarios.

Also Read: Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024

Reasons Behind the Retirement Decision of MiG-21 Fighter Jets

• Safety Concerns: The primary reason behind the MiG-21’s retirement lies in the rising number of accidents linked to technical fatigue and aging parts. Many of these aircraft have completed their structural life, even after multiple upgrades. Despite consistent maintenance, MiG-21s have shown signs of mechanical failures during routine operations. According to official data, more than 400 MiG-21 aircraft have crashed since their induction.

• Technological Obsolescence:  Modern aircraft like the Rafale, Tejas Mk1A, and upcoming AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) are equipped with smart weapons. The MiG-21, even in its upgraded forms like the Bison, cannot match the advanced sensors, data-sharing systems, and stealth features of current-generation fighter jets. 

• Strategic Shift: The Indian Air Force has been undergoing a transformation to replace outdated platforms with efficient, multirole aircraft that require less maintenance and deliver higher performance. As part of this strategy, the IAF aims to reduce dependence on legacy platforms and invest in home-grown or advanced imported aircraft. 

Replacements and Modernization of the IAF Fleet

• One of the most significant developments in IAF modernization is the induction of the HAL Tejas, a light combat aircraft (LCA) developed in India. 
  • Designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tejas is seen as the cornerstone of India’s self-reliant defence strategy. 
  • Tejas is a major leap from older platforms like the MiG-21 with its advanced avionics, fly-by-wire system, and digital cockpit.
  • In 2021, the Indian government approved a contract worth ₹48,000 crore for the acquisition of 83 Tejas Mk1A jets. 
• India has strengthened its fleet by importing state-of-the-art aircraft like the Dassault Rafale. These 4.5-generation multirole fighters were procured from France under a 2016 agreement for 36 aircraft, all of which have been delivered by early 2022.
• India’s fighter strength today relies heavily on the Su-30MKI, made by Russia’s Sukhoi with HAL, and over 270 flown in service.
• The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), being developed by India’s DRDO and HAL, aims to be a fifth-generation stealth fighter. The aircraft is expected to feature internal weapon bays.
• In parallel, the IAF is pursuing the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal to procure 114 foreign fighter jets under a “Make in India” framework.