Indian government has decided to ground the infamous fighter jet MIG-21 by 2025. The decision has been made after the death of two Indian pilots in a crash last week . The jet crashed due to the failure in engines of the MIG-21, which is now better known as the “flying Coffin.”
Times of India has reported the grounding of MIG-21 jets saying that the Soviet Era’s Russian MIG-21 has past it’s retirement. This fighter jet made it’s maiden flight on 16 June 1953. According to a report by times of India, more than 400 MIG-21s have been crashed since 1971. It resulted in more than 200 casualties.
According to a statement made by Ak Antony , former Defence Minister of India in a session of parliament in 2012, India purchased 872 MIG-21s from Soviet Union. More than half were crashed at that time.
An important event regarding the crash of MIG 21 which resulted in humiliation for Indian Air Force (IAF) took place on 27 February 2019, when Pakistan Air Force shot down a MIG 21 and captured Wing Commander Abhinandan.
It’s being reported by several Indian news outlets that the three squadrons of Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire in the upcoming three years.