The Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its entire fleet of MiG-21 fighter aircraft, until the tests are completed and the causes of the crash over Rajasthan earlier this month are ascertained.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its entire fleet of MiG-21 fighter aircraft, until the tests are completed and the causes of the crash over Rajasthan earlier this month are ascertained.
At least three people lost their lives in the crash when a MiG-21 Bison aircraft airborne from the Suratgarh air base crashed over Hanumangarh in a village on May 8.
“The MiG-21 fleet has been grounded till the investigations are carried out and reasons for the crash are ascertained,” senior defence officials told ANI.
The Indian Air Force has been acquiring MiG-21 aircraft versions over five decades, and they are about to be phased out. Only three MiG-21 squadrons are now active in the IAF, and all of them will be phased out by the beginning of 2025, they said.
The incident happened when the jet was on a routine training route when it met with the accident in Rajasthan. The pilot of the jet suffered minor injuries. Later, an inquiry had been launched to probe the reason of the crash.
Three MiG-21 Bison variant squadrons are among the IAF’s 31 combat aircraft squadrons. 800 different versions of the MIG-21 fighter have been in service since it was first introduced to the IAF in the 1960s.
In recent years, the MiG-21’s crash rate has drawn attention because so many of aircraft have been involved in accidents.
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and LCA Mark 1A and Mark 2 indigenous aircraft are among those that the IAF is considering introducing in the force.