Indian Air Force’s Fighter Jet Modernisation Plan

The Indian Air Force is set to retire its MiG-21 fighter jets in September 2025 after over six decades of service.

Impact of MiG-21 Retirement on IAF Combat Strength and the Roadmap for Fighter Fleet Modernisation

Legacy and Phasing Out of the MiG-21 Fighter Aircraft

• Introduction and Historical Significance
  • Inducted in 1963 post the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the MiG-21 was the first supersonic and non-western fighter aircraft of the IAF.
  • A total of 872 aircraft were inducted, with most license-produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Operational Contribution
  • Played a pivotal role in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, Kargil conflict (1999), and Balakot airstrike follow-up in 2019.
  • In the 2019 aerial engagement, Group Captain AbhinandanVarthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 with a MiG-21 before being downed.
• Safety Record and Training Use
  • Over 450 accidents were recorded, earning the jet the moniker "flying coffin."
  • Used for Stage-III pilot training in the absence of an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) before the Hawk AJTs were inducted in 2008.
• Current Status
  • Only two squadrons— 23 Panthers and No. 3 Cobras—remain in service.
  • These squadrons will transition to the LCA Mk1A, marking the end of the MiG-21 era.

Impact on Fighter Squadron Strength and Force Structure
                                                                                                                                                                 

• Reduced Operational Squadrons
  • With the MiG-21 retirement, IAF’s strength will decline from 31 to 29 squadrons, far below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
  • A typical fighter squadron includes 16–18 aircraft.
• Aging Fleet and Future Phase-Outs
  • The Mirage-2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fleets are expected to retire by the end of the decade.
  • This will leave the Su-30MKI, upcoming LCA variants, and future Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) as mainstays.

LCA Mk1A Induction and Production Challenges

• Procurement Timeline and Delays
  • ?48,000 crore contract signed for 83 LCA Mk1A jets, with deliveries originally scheduled to begin in March 2024.
  • Delays caused by development bottlenecks and non-delivery of GE Aerospace F404 engines due to global supply chain constraints.
• Current Engine Status
  • First F404 engine arrived in April 2025, second in August 2025.
  • HAL aims to scale up production to 24 aircraft per year.
• Future Induction Pipeline
  • Additional procurement of 97 LCA Mk1A jets worth ?67,000 crore under negotiation.
  • LCA Mk2, which is larger and more capable, is expected to replace Mirage-2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29. First flight is expected in 2026.

Fifth Generation Capabilities and AMCA Programme

• Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
  • Planned in two phases:
    • AMCA Mk1 to be powered by GE F414 engines.
    • AMCA Mk2 with an indigenous 110KN engine under co-development.
  • Targeted induction:early 2030s, with prototype development expected to take 10 years.
• Interim Acquisition of Foreign FGFA
  • Discussions ongoing for limited imports of 5th Generation Fighters—options include SU-57 (Russia) and F-35 (USA).
  • These are likely interim acquisitions until AMCA is operationalised.

Su-30MKI and Upgrade Programme

• Fleet Strength and Replacement
  • India has procured 272 Su-30MKIs, with ~260 currently in service.
  • An order for 12 additional Sukhois worth ?13,500 crore was placed to replace aircraft lost in crashes.
• Upgradation Plans
  • HAL has received approval for a major upgrade of 84 Su-30MKIs in the first batch, aimed at enhancing avionics and combat capability.
  • Older batches of Su-30MKIs are expected to phase out by early 2040s.

Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and Future Acquisitions

• MRFA Programme Status
  • Request for Information (RFI) was floated in April 2019, but no significant progress has been made.
  • The deal for 114 fighter jets faces uncertainty due to budgetary constraints, parallel indigenous programmes, and long procurement timelines.

Way Forward

• Expedite delivery of LCA Mk1A aircraft and conclude contracts for additional orders.
• Accelerate AMCA prototype development through private sector participation and technological collaboration.
• Close the MRFA deal to address medium-term force strength until indigenous platforms mature.
• Ensure comprehensive engine ecosystem under Make-in-India through joint ventures with firms like GE Aerospace.