Why in news:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will officially retire its legendary MiG-21 fighter jets . A ceremonial flypast and decommissioning event will be held at Chandigarh Air Base, attended by senior military leaders and veterans.
UPSC Relevance:
Defense Sector
UPSC PYQ:
Q. Consider the following aircraft:
1. Rafael
2. MiG-29
3. Tejas MK-1
How many of above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
- It was first inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1963, making it India’s first-ever supersonic jet.
- The MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft.
- It was designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (OKB) of the former Soviet Union.
- India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) built 657 MiG-21s under a license granted by Russia.
- It is the second most produced jet aircraft in the world.
- The MiG-21 is considered a third-generation fighter jet.
India had used the MiG 21 aircraft in almost all military operations since its induction in 1963 except the Operation Meghdoot. These operations include the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, the 1999 Kargil War, the Balakot airstrikes in 2019 and also the Operation Sindoor in 2025.
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