MiG-21s set for final flight in Sept after 62 years in service
NEW DELHI: The first truly supersonic fighters to be inducted by the Indian Air Force from Russia in 1963 but plagued by an alarmingly high crash rate in later years, the MiG-21s will fly for the last time in Indian skies this Sept.
The IAF is now left with only two MiG-21 'Bison' squadrons, totalling 36 fighters, at the Nal airbase in Rajasthan. The ceremonial farewell for the MiG-21s, after over six decades in service, which saw the old warhorses take part in all major conflicts, will take place at Chandigarh on Sept 19.
After the first lot of MiG-21s were inducted from Russia, the single-engine jets were produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in large numbers and also underwent upgrades later.
The highly-unforgiving and ageing MiG-21s, however, continued to lack modern systems with built-in safety mechanisms.
Huge delays in the production of the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft, which were supposed to replace the virtually obsolete MiG-21s, means that the IAF will now be left with just 29 fighter squadrons. This when the IAF authorised 42.5 squadrons for the collusive challenge from China and Pakistan.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
TOI had earlier reported the two remaining MiG-21 squadrons will be retired this year after the IAF repeatedly deferred the phasing out of the delta-wing jets due to the depletion in the number of its fighter squadrons. The MiG-21 jets and the Cheetah/Chetak helicopters, which number around 350 in the armed forces, in particular, should have been retired at least a couple of decades ago.
Of the 872 MiG-21s progressively inducted by IAF, over 400 were lost in accidents since 1971-72. Crashes of different MiG variants, the bulk of them being MiG-21s, have killed well over 200 pilots and 50 civilians on the ground over the decades. The MiG-21s, however, did play a stellar role especially during the 1965 and 1971 wars.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
24 minutes ago
- India.com
THIS state is known as UPSC factory, produced highest number of IAS officers, Bihar is at No 2; not Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, the name is…
(File) Highest IAS officers: Millions of aspirants from across the length and breadth of India sit in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)– one of the toughest recruitment exams in the country– each year in hopes of fulfilling their dream of joining civil services by becoming IAS, IFS, or IPS officers. But have you ever wondered which Indian state churns out the highest number of IAS officers? Let us find out. Which Indian state has most IAS officers? Interestingly, southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, known for their high literacy rate, do not produce the maximum number of IAS officers, but the northern state of Uttar Pradesh earns this distinction, followed by neighboring Bihar and Rajasthan. A major reason why Uttar Pradesh has essentially become a UPSC factory is its massive population and the presence of reputed coaching institutes in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and other major UP cities, that offer UPSC coaching to aspirants at a reasonable price. Why UP, Bihar produce more IAS officers? Additionally, the youth of northern states like UP and Bihar, both in urban as well as rural regions, are more inclined towards joining administrative services, while their counterparts in the south gravitate more towards tech jobs and corporate sector. Similarly, Bihar, which shares a lot of cultural similarities with Uttar Pradesh, also has a long legacy of producing IAS officers. Akin to UP, joining civil services is considered prestigious in Bihar, and the state has a strong network of UPSC coaching centers in capital Patna, and other major cities. What are the top IAS states? As per data, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar churn out the highest number of IAS officers, followed by Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Punjab. Here is the percentage-wise breakdown: Uttar Pradesh: 20-25% Bihar: 15-18% Rajasthan: 5-8% Tamil Nadu: 5-7% Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: 5-6% Maharashtra: 4-5% Punjab: 3-5%
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Crop loss by animals: Forest dept pays 2.17L to 29 farmers
1 2 Guwahati: The forest department has provided financial compensation to villagers near Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district for crop damage caused by stray animals. "Compensation of Rs 2,17,500 has been provided to 29 farmers of Mayong, adjoining to Pobitora wildlife sanctuary, for crop damage by wild animals straying away from the sanctuary's premises, for the period 2024-25," said Pranjal Baruah, forest ranger of Pobitora wildlife sanctuary. Baruah said these farmers applied for the compensation at the office of the range forest officer, and on their request, the forest department has disbursed Rs 7500 to each farmers for the damage caused. The affected farmers reported significant loses to crops like mustards, maize, rice, due to stray rhinos, wild buffaloes and wild boars. Among the worst-hit were farmers from the Satibheti and Rajamayong areas, where stray wild buffaloes caused major destructions during the previous crop season. Baruah said to mitigate such recurring conflicts, the forest department has deployed squads at the wildlife sanctuary, actively working to drive stray animals back into the sanctuary premises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo "There are 13 depredation squads across nearby have been instrumental in preventing crop damage, and ensuring quick responses during wildlife incursions," he said. Forest officials highlighted that these initiatives not only protect the farmers' livelihoods but also ensure the safety and conservation of the sanctuary's wildlife. Departmental elephants are also being used effectively to guide stray rhinos and buffaloes back to the protected area, minimizing human-animal conflict Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
PTR tiger population rises to 80; up by 9 in 3 years
Pilibhit: The tiger population in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) has increased to around 80, up from 71 over the past three years, according to an internal survey conducted jointly by PTR and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). PTR divisional forest officer Manish Singh said on Saturday that this figure excludes 30 to 35% of tigers that live in fields around the reserve due to overcrowding in the reserve's core. According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) 2022 national census, PTR had over 71 tigers, not counting cubs under one year. The internal estimation began in Nov 2024, dividing the reserve's 620sqkm core area into 316 grids of 2x2sqkm each. Each grid was equipped with two camera traps facing each other. Due to limited equipment, the survey was carried out in two phases, ending in March 2025. Singh said, "In the first phase, camera traps were installed in the Mala, Mahof, and Deuria forest ranges in Nov and removed in the last week of Jan. The uninstalled cameras were set up in the Baharhi and Haripur ranges in mid-Feb and removed in the last week of March for data retrieval." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing you Can be Too Old for Learn More Undo WWF biologists, led by Ashish Bista and Rohit Ravi, analysed tiger images over four months to finalise the count. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) field director H Rajamohan said that similar data is still under analysis. The DFO said that the data from the internal estimation would soon be shared officially with PTR officials and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The growing tiger numbers have heightened the risk of human-wildlife conflict in the rural belt, with seven villagers killed by stray tigers between May 14 and July 17. Officials fear such incidents may rise. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
