Express HuntExpress Hunt
  • HOME
  • POLITICS
  • SPORTS
  • BRAND STORIES
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • OPINION
Search
  • Advertise
© 2022 Express Hunt . All Rights Reserved.
Reading: IAF has Grounded MiG-21 Fleet for Safety Checks Following Fatal Crash in Rajasthan
Share
Notification Show More
Latest News
INC’s Jupally Krishna Rao Takes Kollapur in a Landslide Victory
December 3, 2023
Newcastle Stuns Manchester United with a 1-0 Victory
December 3, 2023
the great gatsby
5 Books That Outshine Their Cinematic Adaptations
December 3, 2023
State Poll Results: Key Wins Boost Indian PM Modi’s Re-election Bid
December 3, 2023
uorfi javed
Uorfi Javed Faces Instagram Account Suspension Blunder
December 3, 2023
Aa
Express HuntExpress Hunt
Aa
Search
  • HOME
  • POLITICS
  • SPORTS
  • BRAND STORIES
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • OPINION
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Blog » IAF has Grounded MiG-21 Fleet for Safety Checks Following Fatal Crash in Rajasthan
AsiaIndianewsOpinionPolitics

IAF has Grounded MiG-21 Fleet for Safety Checks Following Fatal Crash in Rajasthan

Rudrakshi Gupta
Rudrakshi Gupta
Last updated: 2023/05/21 at 10:00 AM
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

In a move to address concerns over the safety record of India’s MiG-21 fighter planes, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its entire MiG-21 fleet for comprehensive safety checks. This decision comes after a recent crash in Rajasthan on May 8, in which a MiG-21 Bison fighter jet crashed into a house, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives. The incident has once again highlighted the longstanding safety issues associated with India’s oldest operational fighter aircraft.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the MiG-21 Bisons will remain grounded until the completion of the safety checks and the conclusion of the inquiry into the recent crash. Following this, the fighters will gradually resume flying in a phased manner. The grounding of an aircraft fleet for inspection after an unexplained crash is not uncommon practice.

The MiG-21 has been a cause for concern for some time now, with over 400 of these aircraft involved in accidents that have claimed the lives of 200 pilots over the past six decades. Last year, the Indian Air Force announced its intention to phase out the MiG-21 Bisons by 2025, citing the need to maintain an adequate number of combat-ready aircraft. These jets, once infamously dubbed “flying coffins,” will be retired as the IAF strives to arrange sufficient replacements to ensure combat readiness.

Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), Director General of the Centre for Air Power Studies, expressed his satisfaction with the decision to phase out the MiG-21s by 2025, hoping that this timeline would not be altered following the recent crash.

The grounding of the MiG-21 fleet comes at a time when the military’s advanced light helicopters (ALHs) are also undergoing comprehensive checks due to a series of recent incidents, including the crash-landing of an army helicopter in Jammu & Kashmir. The Army, IAF, Navy, and Coast Guard operate over 330 ALHs, and a design review of a “safety-critical system” on the ALH is being considered to enhance its airworthiness.

The MiG-21 has played a significant role in bolstering India’s combat potential since its first induction in 1963, with a total of 874 jets of various variants being inducted. More than 60% of these MiG-21s were license-produced in India. However, the IAF has had to extend the operational life of the MiG-21 fleet due to delays in the induction of new fighters.

Notably, the MiG-21 Bisons were retired from the Srinagar-based No. 51 squadron, also known as “Sword Arms,” in September of last year. This squadron had gained recognition when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 during a dogfight over the Line of Control in 2019, was a member.

The recent grounding of the MiG-21 fleet underscores the IAF’s commitment to addressing the safety concerns associated with these aging aircraft. The decision to retire them by 2025 and the ongoing efforts to procure suitable replacements reflect the air force’s determination to enhance combat readiness and ensure the safety of its personnel.

You Might Also Like

INC’s Jupally Krishna Rao Takes Kollapur in a Landslide Victory

5 Books That Outshine Their Cinematic Adaptations

State Poll Results: Key Wins Boost Indian PM Modi’s Re-election Bid

Uorfi Javed Faces Instagram Account Suspension Blunder

Ukraine Condemns Russian Forces for Alleged War Crimes

TAGGED: Express hunt, IAF, India, News
Rudrakshi Gupta May 21, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Surprise0
Wink0
Cry0
Previous Article Shocking 23-Minute Confession Reveals Motives Behind Tragic Incident
Next Article IMD Predicts Rainfall and Thunderstorms in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in the Coming Days
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

INC’s Jupally Krishna Rao Takes Kollapur in a Landslide Victory
Politics December 3, 2023
Newcastle Stuns Manchester United with a 1-0 Victory
Sports December 3, 2023
the great gatsby
5 Books That Outshine Their Cinematic Adaptations
Entertainment December 3, 2023
State Poll Results: Key Wins Boost Indian PM Modi’s Re-election Bid
Politics December 3, 2023
Follow US

© 2022 Express Hunt . All Rights Reserved.

  • About EH
  • Privacy Policy
  • Get In Touch
  • My Bookmarks
  • Our Authors

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?