MiG-21s to be phased out on Sept 26

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will phase out the last of its MiG-21 fighter jets at a ceremony planned in Chandigarh on September 26, bringing the curtain down on its 62-year journey, officials aware of the development said on Monday.

- HT Correspondent

The air force currently has only two MiG-21 squadrons —- the No 23 Squadron, better known as “Panthers”, and the No 3 Squadron or “Cobras”; both based at the Nal desert fighter base near Bikaner, the officials said.

The induction of the MiG-21, India's first supersonic air combat interceptor, began in 1963. The MiG-2Is are being replaced with the locally made light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A). Last month, the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared a