Farewell to MiG-21

Context:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally decommissioned the last MiG-21 fighter jets at a ceremonial event in Chandigarh.

MiG-21: Legacy and Limitations

Service History: Inducted in 1963 as IAF’s premier interceptor, MiG-21 became the backbone of India’s air defence, proving itself in the 1965 and 1971 wars and the 1999 Kargilconflict .
Fleet Size: India procured more than 700 aircraft in different variants, with gradual upgrades like the Bison variant with advanced radar and avionics.
Safety Concerns: Despite upgrades, MiG-21 remained prone to engine failures; government data shows over 170 pilots lost in crashes over the past six decades, earning it the label “flying coffin.”

Present Squadron Strength Crisis

Fighter Squadron Gap: With the MiG-21’s phase-out, IAF now has 29 squadrons, well below the sanctioned strength of 42.
Strategic Imbalance: Pakistan fields 20–25 squadrons, while China operates over 60, creating an asymmetry in the event of a two-front conflict.
Aging Fleet: Many older jets like MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage-2000s are also set for retirement by 2035, further aggravating the deficit .

Plans for Rebuild

LCA Tejas Induction: Currently, two operational squadrons of indigenous Tejas Mk1 are in service; an additional 180 Tejas Mk1A jets have been ordered from HAL. Delivery is delayed but 16 aircraft per year are planned.
Future Platforms: HAL is developing Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter, expected in the next decade.
Global Procurement: IAF plans to buy 114 multirole fighters through a global tender; Dassault Rafale remains a frontrunner.
Upgrades: India is modernising 84 Su-30MKIs and deploying Russian S-400 SAM systems, alongside indigenous Akash surface-to-air missiles .

Challenges Ahead

Delays in Indigenous Programs: Tejas project, conceptualised in the 1980s, has faced repeated delays due to engine and integration issues. AMCA is still in the design stage.
Dependence on Imports: Continued reliance on foreign suppliers for engines (GE for Tejas Mk2) and fighters undermines self-reliance.
Two-Front Threat: China’s rapid build-up and Pakistan’s acquisitions necessitate faster induction timelines.

MiG-21 Fighter Jet