Indian Air Force Bans Flight Of MiG-21 Fighter, Decision Taken After May 8 Accident

Indian Air Force bans flight of MiG-21 fighter, the decision was taken after May 8 accident.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its entire fleet of MiG-21 fighter jets till the completion of the investigation into the cause of the crash in Rajasthan earlier this month.

On May 8, three people were killed when a MiG-21 Bison aircraft from Suratgarh airport crashed in a village.

Indian Air Force bans flight of MiG-21 fighter: MiG-21 squadron to be phased out from IAF by 2025.

“The MiG-21 fleet has been grounded till the investigation is completed and the cause of the accident is known,” senior defense officials told the media.

They said that only three MiG-21 squadrons are operational in the IAF and all of them will be phased out by early 2025.

The fighter jet that crashed over Rajasthan was on a routine training sortie when it crashed.

The pilot received minor injuries, following which an inquiry has been launched to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

The IAF has 31 fighter aircraft squadrons which include three MiG-21 Bison variants. The MIG-21 was inducted into the IAF in the 1960s and 800 variants of the fighter are in service.

The MiG-21 crash has been a cause of concern in recent times as several of them have been victims of accidents.

The IAF is also looking to induct indigenous aircraft including the LCA Mark 1A and LCA Mark 2 along with the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.