Amid Tejas delays, MiG exit move hits Air Force strength

AS the Indian Air Force prepares to retire its last MiG-21 squadron on September 19, concerns are mounting over the slow pace of its replacement: the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

- MAYANK SINGH @New Delhi

The impending retirement of No. 23 squadrons will bring the IAF's fighter strength down to just 29 squadrons, far short of the sanctioned 42.

The MiG-21, inducted in 1963 as a high-altitude interceptor, later served in ground attack roles. Once the backbone of air power, over 850 MiG-21s have flown in IAF service across 24 fighter squadrons and four training units. Nearly 300 of them were lost in accidents, giving rise to the "Flying Coffin" tag.