IAF moves MiG-21s to Nal base in preparation for fleet replacement
- In Reports
- 02:10 PM, Jun 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
Senior officials familiar with the matter stated on Thursday that some of the Indian Air Force’s remaining Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets have quietly left their home base at Suratgarh in Rajasthan. They have been relocated to the expansive Nal desert fighter base near Bikaner, where the last operational Indian MiG-21s are stationed.
This move comes as the world’s fourth largest air force prepares to retire these iconic aircraft from service and commences the process of inducting its new Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) fleet starting in July.
One of the officials confirmed that the Indian Air Force has successfully transferred the Suratgarh-based No 23 Squadron, popularly known as the “Panthers”, to Nal. At Nal, they join the MiG-21s of the No 3 Squadron, also known as the “Cobras”. This consolidation means that all remaining MiG-21s of the Air Force are now operating from the same airbase.
Both the No 23 Squadron "Panthers" and the No 3 Squadron "Cobras" operate the MiG-21 Bison, the final variant of this single-engine fighter aircraft. Typically, a fighter squadron consists of 16 to 18 jets.
According to a second official who requested anonymity, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has relocated the MiG-21 Bisons from Suratgarh to Nal to streamline their maintenance, service, and spare parts supply. This move aims to ensure the operational readiness of the MiG-21 fleet until the transition of both squadrons to the LCA Mk-1A is completed by 2024-25.
The Indian Air Force plans to begin converting its first MiG-21 squadron to the indigenously manufactured LCA Mk-1A after Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) delivers the first aircraft in July 2024. Initially ordered in February 2021, the IAF has committed to acquiring 83 Mk-1A fighters for ₹48,000 crore.
The delivery of the first Mk-1A, originally scheduled for March 31, 2024, was delayed due to pending certifications, with its maiden flight occurring on March 28 from an HAL facility in Bengaluru.
HAL intends to deliver 16 Mk-1As to the IAF in the 2024-25 financial year and has established a new production line in Nashik to augment production capacity from 16 to 24 jets annually, in addition to the existing facility in Bengaluru.
The Indian Air Force expects to receive all 87 ordered LCA Mk-1A jets by 2028. The MiG-21, India’s first supersonic fighter, has been in service since 1963, with IAF operating various versions including the Type 74, Type 76, Type 77, Type 96, MiG-21 Bis, and the MiG-21 Bison over six decades. Despite safety concerns and accidents, upgrades have prolonged their service life in the IAF.
In April, the defence ministry issued a tender to HAL for 97 additional LCA Mk-1A jets, aiming to bolster the Indian Air Force's capabilities amid a fighter squadron shortage, with an estimated cost of ₹67,000 crore. The LCA Mk-1A, an advanced variant of the LCA Mk-1 already in service, is poised to become a key component of IAF's combat strength, with plans to operate around 350 LCAs comprising Mk-1, Mk-1A, and Mk-2 versions.
More than 400 MiG-21s have been involved in accidents, resulting in around 200 pilot fatalities, leading to nicknames like “Flying Coffin” and “Widow Maker”. These aircraft formed a significant part of IAF's fleet, with over 874 MiG-21s inducted since 1963, making them the backbone of India's air defence for decades.
By deploying LCA Mk-1As at forward air bases in the western sector, IAF aims to enhance combat readiness against Pakistan and replace the phased-out MiG-21 Bisons from squadrons like No 4 ("Oorials") and No 51 ("Sword Arms") during 2022-23.
The LCA project, sanctioned in 1983 to replace MiG-21s, saw the IAF establish its first LCA Mk-1 squadron in Sulur with two aircraft in July 2016. The Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants will phase out MiG-21s, while the Mk-2 is slated to replace retiring MiG-29s, Mirage-2000s, and Jaguar fighters in the next decade.
Image source: India TV
Comments