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Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Man with most flying hours on MIG-21 wants one last sortie as it flies into the sunset
When it comes to MIG-21s, there is no one more knowledgeable than Air Commodore Surendra Singh Tyagi (retd), who has a record-breaking 4,306 hours flying the aircraft–a feat acknowledged by the Russians themselves–and a staggering 6316 sorties in total. So when he speaks about the pros and cons of the Russian aircraft, everyone listens. And now, when the departure of MIG-21 BISON from the Indian Air Force (IAF) is imminent, all that the 83-year-old veteran fighter pilot wants is one last take-off roll down the runway in the power-packed aircraft before it bids adieu. 'This is one request which I will be making to the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, whom I shall be meeting very soon,' says Air Marshal Tyagi in a freewheeling conversation with this reporter over the phone from his home in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The intrepid fighter pilot who flew almost every fighter aircraft in IAF's inventory till he retired in 1996 made Jamnagar his home after multiple tenures there and finally retiring as the air officer commanding of the Jamnagar air base. 'I would also be presenting my logbook, which I have meticulously maintained throughout my service from the first day to the last to the air chief with the request that it may be placed in the IAF museum, where it could serve as an inspiration for future generations,' says Air Commodore Tyagi. Air Commodore Tyagi has flown aircraft ranging from Vampires, Hunters, Gnat, Ajeet, Jaguar, Canberra, MIG-23, MIG-29, and Mirage during his service in the IAF from 1965 to 1996. Air Commodore Tyagi's first operational unit was 27 Squadron flying Hunters before he moved to MIGs. Initially he flew Vampires. In 1968 he trained on MIG-21s in the No. 45 Squadron in Chandigarh, where pilots were given operational conversion training on MIG-21 FL. 'Hunter was a docile aircraft. We never thought of MIG-21s as a problem aircraft, though it was very different. We never felt any problem. It was definitely fast handling, and the challenge was of a kind that you were always busy in the cockpit,' recalls Tyagi. He says the MIG-21 FL type 77 had a fixed gunsight while the Hunter had a gyro sight. 'In firing from a MIG-21, you have to cater for a lot of things. Also, Hunter used to turn very well, and we initially thought it turned better than MIGs. Later, after flying MIGs, I found that the vertical manoeuvring of the aircraft was very good. However, the aircraft would not react instantly, whatever the pilot demanded of it, and the pilot had to understand what the aircraft wanted,' he says. In those early days of MIG-21 in the IAF, the pilots used to wear pressurised spacesuits of the same kind that Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had worn into space. 'Actually, when MIG-21 came to India, it was considered to be an interceptor aircraft. It was very agile at great heights, going up to 24 km at times at speeds close to 2.4 mach. You would be really climbing like a rocket. Then we modified it into the ground attack role with rocket pods and external guns, 500 kg bombs on either side, which we used extensively in the 1971 war. We used to get reasonably good results,' Air Commodore Tyagi says. Tyagi says that in the MIG-21 Type 96, the drag increased, and they were not as fast in the ground attack role. But with time came the MIG21 BIS upgrade, and it had a powerful engine. We flew to 12.3 km height in two minutes and 40 seconds. The Type 96 MIG 21 M was also very stable for air-to-ground firing,' he says. Having seen 24 postings in his operational service, Air Commodore Tyagi served in a number of MIG-21 squadrons and went on to command No. 35 and No. 32 squadrons besides serving a tenure in Iraq as an instructor. Air Commodore Tyagi underwent no ejection from MIG-21 but went through a crash landing on the runway in Pathankot in October 1978 and was very lucky to walk away alive. 'I had two rocket pods and three tanks on my aircraft. On short finals, I was asked to go around because of a dog on the runway. I raised my nose, opened maximum power, and started climbing. At around 150 m, the nozzle failed, the cone failed, the engine thrust went down, and the engine flamed out. As part of the ejection sequence which I initiated, the canopy flew off. But I saw that I was too low to continue the ejection within safety margins. The aircraft landed on its belly as the undercarriage was retracted for the go around. On the other side of the runway, there were five aircraft of the No. 3 Squadron waiting to fly, and I was in danger of piling into them. It was a Tuesday, and as I used to fast for Hanuman, I felt nothing would go wrong. The aircraft lurched to a halt well past these, and I unstrapped and ran out. I have never run so hard in my life, and the aircraft exploded behind me. Later, I flew more MIG-21s after the crash than I flew before. 'In 2013, the Russian ambassador gave me a trophy for the maximum hours on MIG-21. Earlier, in 1993, then PM Narasimha Rao called me and felicitated me. I never flew for myself. You flew for the people with you, and you gave them whatever positive things you learnt. The then chief presented me with a golden plaque,' says Air Commodore Tyagi. The veteran pilot says the growth of the IAF is related to the growth of MIG-21 in the country. 'Modernising gradually and slowly now we have reached the fourth generation. At one time, 70-75 per cent of IAF squadrons had MIG-21. When you calculate the rate of accidents, it is not alarming. But when you calculate the number, it is alarming,' he says. Air Commodore Tyagi says an IAF fighter pilot is a 'soldier pilot' because he puts his country ahead of his safety. 'In earlier MIG-21s, we used to see it written on the nose that 'this aircraft costs Rs 47 lakh'. Our pay at the time used to be Rs 1,200-1,400. You used to be conscious that India cannot afford to lose the aircraft. 'Later, when low-level sorties started and we went into the ground attack role, we used to have bird hits. The brief was to pull up, gain height and reheat the engine. But an engine with turbine damage will not relight. Our pilots tried to relight and were so low that ejection was not possible, and they used to crash with aircraft. Abroad, no pilot waits, he ejects,' he says. Air Commodore Tyagi says the fatalities went down when the procedures were amended. 'This is one of the best aircraft ever produced. Every fighter pilot in the world wants to fly a MIG 21,' he says.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Army's Shaurya Bharat EV car rally reaches Ambala
The Shaurya Bharat EV drive, flagged off by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, reached Air Force Station Ambala on Friday, as part of its three-day rally from July 25 to 27, 2025. The rally, themed 'Sena ke Saath Paryavaran ka Vikas', aims to promote environmental sustainability while paying tribute to India's defence personnel. The aim of this car rally is to commemorate the success of 'Operation Sindoor' and honour the valour of our Armed Forces, army said in a statement. The Shaurya Bharat EV drive reached Air Force Station Ambala on Friday as part of its three-day rally from July 25 to 27. (HT Photo) A defence spokesperson said that the flag-in ceremony at Airforce station, Ambala was conducted by Air Commodore B Satish, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Ambala in the presence of distinguished guests. 'This event represents a powerful convergence of India's greatest strengths: the indomitable courage of the Indian Armed Forces and the nation's commitment to environmental sustainability. The event promotes civil-military engagement and underscores India's push for clean energy, responsible mobility, and environmental stewardship,' the spokesperson said. A total of 112 participants from Air Force, Army, Navy, DRDO, Coast Guard, NCC and Ministry of Defence are part of this rally, is being organised by the Progress Harmony Development Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in collaboration with the Indian Air Force Adventure Wing and will cover approx 800 kms in 40 sponsored Tata vehicles constituting mainly electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles, serving as a special tribute to India's defence personnel. The rally will visit colleges/universities enroute to interact and inspire youth, and motivate them to consider a career in the Armed Forces, emphasising the values of courage, discipline, and Youth Affairs and Sports Committee chair Arshad Shawl expressed that the Shaurya Bharat EV Drive is a token of gratitude to the Armed Forces. The rally embodies the spirit of Shaurya (bravery) with the vision of a green and self-reliant rally will route to Adampur tomorrow and return to New Delhi, fostering a sense of unity and environmental awareness among participants and spectators alike.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
IAF to phase out MiG-21 fighter jets in September 2025
The Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets are set to be phased out of service in September this year, as per the Indian Air Force plan to replace the remaining squadrons with the indigenously developed Tejas Mark-1A aircraft. In October 2023, the jets participated for the last time in the annual Air Force Day parade. A timeline had been finalised to phase out the Mig-21s then. At a press conference around the same time, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhary had said a contract to procure 97 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft at a cost of around Rs 1.15 lakh crore will be concluded soon. This was in addition to the Rs 48,000-crore deal signed with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2021 to procure 83 such jets. 'We will replace the MiG-21 squadrons with the LCA Mark-1A…. The induction of the LCA Mark-1A will fill the gap of the outgoing MiG-21s,' he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The MiG-21s were the mainstay of the IAF for a long time since its induction in the early 1960s. The IAF had procured more than 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess.
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Incredible images show British helicopters in action during major military exercise
Exercise Hades Warrior is a high-intensity, multi-service military event designed to test the UK's best helicopter pilots to the limit. Stunning photographs capture British Armed Forces helicopters in action during a significant exercise, featuring an intense air assault training mission. Exercise Hades Warrior is a high-stakes, multi-service military event designed to push the UK's top helicopter pilots to their limits. RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire is currently the hub for the UK's largest-ever tri-service rotary-wing training operation, accommodating over 200 pilots, aircrew, and ground support personnel. Spectacular scenes witnessed six Royal Air Force helicopters flying in formation; a Chinook 6, a Merlin Mk2, two Army Air Corps Apache AH-64E helicopters, and a pair of Wildcat AH. 1s from the Commando Helicopter Force. The fortnight-long rigorous evaluation aims to certify pilots across various rotary platforms as Qualified Weapons Instructors and Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructors, reports Plymouth Live. Exercise Hades Warrior kicked off on Monday (14 July) and is set to conclude on 27 July. In other news, an air marshal who has participated in hundreds of operational missions across multiple warzones is set to be appointed as the new head of the RAF, as confirmed by the Defence Secretary. Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who joined the force in 1991 and spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor in conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will assume the role of Chief of the Air Staff. Air Marshal Smyth is set to take over as the new Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Sir Rich Knighton who has been in the role since June 2023 and is now moving on to become head of the armed forces from September. Since his promotion to Air Commodore in 2015, Air Marshal Smyth has climbed the ranks with a series of command positions, including his present post as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations. He expressed his sentiments by saying: "I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. "The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the service at such a crucial point in our history." Reflecting on his predecessor's contributions, he added: "I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict." In closing, he shared his commitment to the RAF personnel: "I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our whole force as we deliver outstanding air and space power for the UK and Nato."
North Wales Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who joined the force in 1991 and served 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor in conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will become Chief of the Air Staff. He succeeds Sir Rich Knighton, who has held the position since June 2023 and has been promoted to head of the armed forces, a role he will take up in September. Air Marshal Smyth's appointment follows a series of promotions to command positions since becoming an Air Commodore in 2015, including his current role of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations. The Defence Secretary John Healey has today confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the new appointment of Air Marshal Harv Smyth as the next Chief of the Air Staff. Read more about Air Marshal Smyth's appointment here: — Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 16, 2025 He said: 'I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. 'The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the service at such a crucial point in our history. 'I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict. 'I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our whole force as we deliver outstanding air and space power for the UK and Nato.' The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the RAF, responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all the force's operations, people and capability. They are accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale, as well as the development and sustainment of the force. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. He has outstanding credentials to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force. 'Air Marshal Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally. 'I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton's superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years. I know he and Air Marshal Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence.'
