| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Indian Air Force (IAF) to retire MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025 |
| Background | - First inducted in 1963, MiG-21 was India's first supersonic fighter aircraft.- Developed by the Soviet Union.- Played key roles in conflicts like the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, 1999 Kargil War, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike. |
| Significance | Marks a generational shift in India's air combat capabilities.Aligns with 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mission.Improves operational safety due to MiG-21's involvement in multiple crashes. |
| Replacement | To be replaced by LCA Tejas Mark 1A, an indigenously developed advanced fighter aircraft. |
| Challenges | Increased scrutiny due to frequent accidents (labeled "Flying Coffin").Delays in LCA Tejas delivery due to late engine supply from GE Aerospace. |
| Future Plans | MiG-21 squadrons at Nal Air Base (Rajasthan) to be replaced with Tejas Mark 1A.HAL aims to deliver at least six Tejas aircraft by March 2026. |
| Important Figures | - MiG-21: India's first supersonic fighter aircraft.- LCA Tejas Mark 1A: Indigenous replacement. |
| Timeline | Retirement by September 2025. |
| Highlights | Ends six-decade-long service.Modernizes IAF's fleet.Enhances combat efficiency. |
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