Adieu MiG-21 Fishbed!
Re: Adieu MiG-21 Fishbed!
^^ From 1963 I believe.
Re: Adieu MiG-21 Fishbed!
After more than six decades, the final MiG-21 squadron will exit the IAF in Sept 2025.
From warhorse to legend: MiG-21 to bow out after 62 years in Indian skies
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 821727.cms
22 July 2025
https://x.com/manupubby/status/1947524060780380546 ---> After over six decades of operations, India’s MiG 21 fighter will finally fly into the sunset. Farewell ceremony planned at Chandigarh airbase in September. Last squadron to be number plated. India's fighter squadron strength will dip to 29.
From warhorse to legend: MiG-21 to bow out after 62 years in Indian skies
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 821727.cms
22 July 2025
https://x.com/manupubby/status/1947524060780380546 ---> After over six decades of operations, India’s MiG 21 fighter will finally fly into the sunset. Farewell ceremony planned at Chandigarh airbase in September. Last squadron to be number plated. India's fighter squadron strength will dip to 29.
Re: Adieu MiG-21 Fishbed!
For 60 years, the MiG-21 has served in the @IAF_MCC, while its phase-out journey has spanned 40 years. This summary highlights how, over four decades, 28 units of the IAF transitioned out from the MiG-21 - an incredibly arduous task to replace a mainstay.
Key insights:
1. The Indian Air Force operated 24 Fighter Squadrons and 4 Training Units equipped with the MiG-21.
2. Throughout service in these 28 establishments, the average tenure of the MiG-21 aircraft was 33 years.
3. The transition to the MiG-21 began with the 28 Squadron in 1963, and the 20 Squadron was the last (albeit briefly) in the late 1990s.
4. During the 1980s, only four Squadrons switched from the MiG-21, with two converting to the Mirage 2000 and two to the MiG-29.
5. No 4 Squadron holds the distinction of serving the longest with the MiG-21 for nearly 58 years. If No 3 Squadron continues its service until 2025, it will be the second-longest-serving unit at 53 years.
6. Five IAF Squadrons exclusively operated the M Variant of the MiG-21 for an average duration of 40 years each. These were 17, 35, 37, 101, 108.
7. The FL (Type-77) variant was preferred by training units and Type Training Squadrons.
8. The Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) had the honour of operating four different variants of the MiG-21, excluding the trainer types.
Sources for these insights include Form 1500 from the Ministry of Defence History Division, Bharat Rakshak, books by Pushpinder Singh, the CAW History series, Squadron coffee table books, Press Information Bureau releases, and accounts from veterans. Graphic by @SauravChordia1. Background image by @zone5aviation. Every effort has been diligently undertaken to ensure the accuracy of this information, and any unintentional errors are sincerely regretted.
Key insights:
1. The Indian Air Force operated 24 Fighter Squadrons and 4 Training Units equipped with the MiG-21.
2. Throughout service in these 28 establishments, the average tenure of the MiG-21 aircraft was 33 years.
3. The transition to the MiG-21 began with the 28 Squadron in 1963, and the 20 Squadron was the last (albeit briefly) in the late 1990s.
4. During the 1980s, only four Squadrons switched from the MiG-21, with two converting to the Mirage 2000 and two to the MiG-29.
5. No 4 Squadron holds the distinction of serving the longest with the MiG-21 for nearly 58 years. If No 3 Squadron continues its service until 2025, it will be the second-longest-serving unit at 53 years.
6. Five IAF Squadrons exclusively operated the M Variant of the MiG-21 for an average duration of 40 years each. These were 17, 35, 37, 101, 108.
7. The FL (Type-77) variant was preferred by training units and Type Training Squadrons.
8. The Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) had the honour of operating four different variants of the MiG-21, excluding the trainer types.
Sources for these insights include Form 1500 from the Ministry of Defence History Division, Bharat Rakshak, books by Pushpinder Singh, the CAW History series, Squadron coffee table books, Press Information Bureau releases, and accounts from veterans. Graphic by @SauravChordia1. Background image by @zone5aviation. Every effort has been diligently undertaken to ensure the accuracy of this information, and any unintentional errors are sincerely regretted.