New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has temporarily grounded its fleet of around 50 MiG-21 fighter aircraft, following the crash of one of the jets in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh nearly two weeks ago, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.
Three persons were killed after the MiG-21 aircraft crashed into a house in Hanumangarh shortly after it took off on a routine training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh on May 8. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
Aircraft variant on the verge of being phased out
All the MiG-21 aircraft are undergoing technical evaluation and checks, said the people cited above, adding that they will be allowed to fly only after clearance by the teams carrying out the scrutiny. “Only the Court of Inquiry will establish the actual cause of the accident. However, prima facie, it looks like a technical fault, because of which the aircraft are undergoing one-time checks,” an official said.
“The MiG-21 fleet has been grounded till the investigations are over and the reasons for the crash are ascertained,” said a senior defence ministry official.
The crash of the jet had again put the spotlight on the ageing fleet of Soviet-origin aircraft which were involved in around 400 accidents since they were inducted in the early 1960s.
It is extremely distressing that the term flying coffin is used to describe MiG 21 — a fighter aircraft that has served the Indian Air Force for 50 years. The first batch of the aircraft arrived in March 1963. Over the past 60 years, the aircraft, including all its variants, have participated in the 1971 Bangladesh war, 1999 Kargil conflict and the air duel after the Balakot airstrike.
The main reason why the Indian Air Force is still flying MiG-21 is that it is short of aircraft and has to fly whatever it has to carry out its operational duties.
The failure to produce newer aircraft over last few decades means IAF is still flying planes made in 1980s, including MiG-21, MiG-29, Mirage, and Jaguars.
Plans to phase out MiG-29
The IAF also plans to start phasing out the three squadrons of MiG-29 fighter jets in the next five years.
As part of the IAF's modernisation plan, the defence ministry in February 2021 sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the procurement of 83 Tejas jets.
The IAF has already procured 36 Rafale jets to enhance its combat capabilities and is in the process of acquiring 114 medium role fighter aircraft.
However, The Tribune notes in a report: “Barring the 36 Rafale jets and 40 Tejas jets, there have been no fresh inductions or orders in the past few decades.”
