In a significant development for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the era of MiG-21, often referred to as the ‘flying coffin,’ flights is set to draw to a definitive close by the year 2025. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary, the Chief of the Air Staff, has revealed that the superior LCA Mark 1A aircraft will take the reins from the aging MiG-21 fleet.
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary disclosed that in the upcoming months, the second squadron of LCA Mark 1A will be activated, marking a critical step in this transition process. Simultaneously, a comprehensive retirement plan for the MiG-21 fighter planes has been set in motion, culminating in a complete ban on MiG-21 fighter plane flights by 2025.
With the imminent retirement of the MiG-21 squadrons, India’s indigenous marvel, the Tejas aircraft, will step forward to assume a prominent role in the IAF’s operations. The LCA Mark 1A, designed and built in India, will seamlessly replace the aging MiG-21 fleet, bringing advanced capabilities to the forefront.
This transition signals a significant milestone in the modernization and advancement of the Indian Air Force. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary’s confirmation that MiG-21 fighter flights will be entirely phased out by 2025 underscores the IAF’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology and indigenous capabilities. The MiG-21 squadrons will gracefully step aside, making room for the LCA Mark 1A, marking a new era in India’s aerial defense capabilities.
AFI
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