
Legendary MiG-21 jets set to retire after over six decades in service
The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, nicknamed 'Panthers" will be given a farewell at a ceremony in Chandigarh airbase on September 19, they said.
The MiG-21s used to be the mainstay of the IAF for a long period of time.
After its first induction in the 1960s, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess.
However, the aircraft has a very poor safety record.
The MiG-21s were the dominant platforms during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
The aircraft also played a key role in the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as 2019 Balakot airstrikes.
With phasing out of the last of the few MiG-21s, the number of the IAF's fighter squadrons is expected to come down to an abysmal low of 29 from the officially sanctioned strength of 42.
The IAF was planning to replace the MiG-21s with Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (Mark1A).
However, there has been delays in supply of the indigenously-built aircraft by the state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF.
The ministry is also in the process of procuring 97 more LCA Mk-1As at a cost of around Rs 67,000 crore.
Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles.
The HAL is looking at supplying 12 Tejas jets to the IAF by March, 2025. PTI MPB KVK KVK
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 22:45 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
8 minutes ago
- First Post
Pakistan crumbled, sought ceasefire 'in less than 50' air-launched weapons during Op Sindoor: IAF vice-chief
Although Air Marshal Tiwari did not specify the exact weapons used during the May 7–10 clashes, the IAF deployed Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, and Mirage-2000 fighter jets to carry out precision strikes using BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles read more It took less than 50 air-launched weapons fired by India during Operation Sindoor to compel Pakistan to seek a ceasefire, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari has revealed. 'We have discussed a lot about the cost-benefit, especially of air power. There is no greater example I think than what we did in Operation Sindoor. Less than 50 weapons can bring the adversary to the talking table…that is an example that needs to be studied and will be studied (by scholars),' Air Marshal Tiwari said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although Air Marshal Tiwari did not specify the exact weapons used during the May 7–10 clashes, the IAF deployed Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, and Mirage-2000 fighter jets to carry out precision strikes using BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, along with Crystal Maze-2, Rampage, and Scalp missiles. These targeted Pakistani airbases and radar sites, some located near nuclear facilities and command and control centres. Refresh for updates.


India.com
8 minutes ago
- India.com
India's Pharma Exports Have Shot Up By 92% In Last 6 Years: Minister
New Delhi: Various schemes being implemented by the Centre to realise the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the pharmaceutical sector have resulted in India's exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals increasing by 92 per cent, from Rs 1,28,028 crore in FY2018-19 to Rs 2,45,962 crore in FY2024-25, the Parliament was informed on Friday. The schemes include the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) scheme, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals, the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks, and Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry scheme, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question. The PRIP scheme has been launched with an outlay of Rs 5,000 crore to transform India's Pharma MedTech sector from cost- to innovation-based growth by strengthening research and promoting industry-academia linkage for research and development in priority areas in drug discovery and development and medical devices. Under this scheme, seven Centres of Excellence (CoEs) have been set up, she said. The PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals aims to enhance India's manufacturing capabilities by increasing investment and production in the sector and contributing to product diversification to high-value goods in the pharmaceutical sector. The minister said that the scheme has enabled enhanced investment and production in eligible products. As of March 2025, the committed investment of Rs 17,275 crore targeted over the six-year period of the scheme stands substantially exceeded with a cumulative investment of Rs 37,306 crore made by the scheme's third year, and cumulative sales of approved products of Rs 2,66,528 crore have been made, including exports of Rs 1,70,807 crore. The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, which has a total budgetary outlay of Rs 6,940 crore, aims to avoid disruption in the supply of critical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used to make critical drugs for which there are no alternatives by reducing supply disruption risk due to excessive dependence on a single source. As of March 2025, the committed investment of Rs 3,938.5 crore under projects approved under the scheme for investment over the six-year production period of the scheme stands substantially exceeded with a cumulative investment of Rs 4,570 crore made by the scheme's third year, she further stated. The minister also highlighted that the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all. Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are opened across the country to provide medicines at prices that are about 50 per cent to 80 per cent lower than those of leading branded medicines in the market. Till June 6, 2025, a total of 16,912 JAKs have been opened, and on average, about 10 to 12 lakh persons visit these Kendras daily and avail of quality medicines at affordable prices. As many as 2,110 medicines and 315 surgicals, medical consumables and devices are under the scheme product basket, covering all major therapeutic groups, such as cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and nutraceuticals. As a result of the scheme, in the last 11 years, estimated savings of about Rs 38,000 crore have accrued to citizens in comparison to the prices of branded medicines. Further, the scheme has provided self-employment to over 16,000 persons, including over 6,800 women entrepreneurs, the minister added.


Deccan Herald
8 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
North Korea's Kim sends condolences to Putin over plane crash
Seoul: North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un sent condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over a plane crash, state media KCNA reported on Saturday.