Indian Defense
How Are The MiG-21 Fighter Jets Being Phased Out?
![How Are The MiG-21 Fighter Jets Being Phased Out? How Are The MiG-21 Fighter Jets Being Phased Out?](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCh4_KfEQhix8olr6N9iUWSKwvPDNXZtgCzNsdKqH5lqY2AYTklZTUNZB9Lir5EU77qMOD1xQ4UVepU6FS6K6WNxPs61FqJBoMYRf7GUpS4tsUUb5VyM0U4CZmLvmBjBKceqdzX_prrpqd3-5O9nF7oHZgQmpi_QTRnXm_q_kzU7X_GKwm3UK3ySyDTfA/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/MiG-21_Fighter.jpg)
By when will the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited supply the IAF with the 83 Light Combat Aircraft TEJAS?
The story so far: On October 31, 2023 MiG-21 fighter jets of the No. 4 squadron ‘OORIALS’ of the Indian Air Force (IAF) flew one last time over Uttarlai in Rajasthan. The squadron has been operating the MiG-21 since 1966 and is now being re-equipped with the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, said Colonel Amitabh Sharma, PRO Defence Rajasthan in a statement. The IAF is now at 31 fighter squadrons as against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
The MiG-21 was the first supersonic fighter in service of the IAF and was inducted in 1963 and has participated in all major conflicts since. More than 800 variants of the supersonic fighter have been inducted into service, and it remained the frontline fighter jet of the IAF for a long time. For instance, the No.4 squadron has served the country for approximately six decades and has significantly contributed to the war effort during Indo-Pak conflicts, Col. Sharma noted.
Last year, the No. 51 squadron ‘Swordarms’ based in Srinagar was phased out. It was the same squadron of which Group Captain (then Wing Commander) Abhinandan Varthamanam was part of and saw action in February 2019, a day after the Balakot air strike. The squadron was raised at Chandigarh on February 1, 1985 under the command of Wg Cdr V. K. Chawla and moved to Srinagar on May 1, 1986. It was initially equipped with MiG-21 Type 75 aircraft and later converted to the upgraded MiG-21 Bison in January 2004.
The IAF now has two MiG-21 squadrons in service comprising the upgraded Bison variants, the No. 3 squadron ‘Cobras’ at Bikaner and No. 23 squadron ‘Panthers’ at Suratgarh, which will be phased out by 2025, as stated by Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Vivek Ram Chaudhari. “We will stop flying the MiG-21 fighter aircraft by 2025 and we will replace the MiG-21 squadron with the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS MK-1A… The induction of the TEJAS MK-1A will fill the gap of these MiG-21s,” he had said. “The IAF operated 24 fighter squadrons and four training units equipped with the MiG-21. Throughout service in these 28 establishments, the average tenure of the MiG-21 aircraft was 33 years. The transition to the MiG-21 began with the No. 28 squadron in 1963, and the No. 20 squadron was the last (albeit briefly) in the late 1990s,” writes Anchit Gupta, an aviation historian on his blog iafhistory.in. “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.”
According to the IAF website, during the 1971 War of Bangladesh, the MiG-21s showed its true grit. Although Pakistan had initiated the war with pre-emptive air strikes against major forward air bases, the IAF “rapidly gained the initiative and had thereafter dominated the skies over both fronts…..Six squadrons of MiG-21FLs were part of the IAF’s order-of battle, participating in operations both in the Eastern and Western Sectors,” it says. On the 1999 Kargil conflict, the IAF says that night operations were carried out using ingenuity and imagination; at times, excellent results were achieved by the aircraft using little else but a stop watch and a GPS receiver. “These operations had a significant effect on the enemy’s resilience, stamina and very will to fight.”
In the course of six decades, the MiG-21 fleet saw over 400 accidents claiming the lives of around 200 pilots. The IAF was to phase out the MiG-21s much earlier but it was extended as newer inductions especially the TEJAS were delayed.
What About The MiG Replacement?
In the last few years, the IAF has inducted two squadrons of the TEJAS and two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets procured from France which pushed the squadron strength to over 30. In January 2021, the IAF signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 83 TEJAS MK-1A which it will start receiving from early 2024 onwards. A larger TEJAS MK-2 as well as the fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) are under development. As they take time to be available in large numbers, it is the TEJAS MK-1A which will form the bulk of the force. Last month, ACM Chaudhari had said that they are looking to procure an additional 97 TEJAS MK-1A at an estimated cost of ₹67,000 lakh crore, making a total of 180 MK-1A variants.
The MiG-21 was the first supersonic fighter in service of the IAF and was inducted in 1963 and has participated in all major conflicts since. More than 800 variants of the supersonic fighter have been inducted into service, and it remained the frontline fighter jet of the IAF for a long time.
The IAF now has two MiG-21 squadrons in service comprising the upgraded Bison variants, the No. 3 squadron ‘Cobras’ at Bikaner and No. 23 squadron ‘Panthers’ at Suratgarh, which will be phased out by 2025, as stated by Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Vivek Ram Chaudhari.
In the last few years, the IAF has inducted two squadrons of the TEJAS and two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets procured from France which pushed the squadron strength to over 30. In January 2021, the IAF signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 83 TEJAS MK-1A which it will start receiving from early 2024 onwards.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
![INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’ INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZma1qWeuxixzWQNFcr4E4SAi5H75pCMZo9JakaQJiVRexORL1lXrVoTdk5qG1ZDkW-5fVJWE_6fplkC26hngBLsrFykHim9DHPap9wRCkdY_N749Uwptd47uWs05vhF6gG2R0rXxDyTUddYLuUH9busYEaBLNDmJXJB8Izz9Z5EOpYw7OAPC62TlOJLY/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Missile.jpg)
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
![](https://i0.wp.com/blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19SGuw5MDtceMDoa0iWWc6lzi_A9iQxNxQL85xBe_cjW19y1MJH_m0JQ6re1ywjpNTyBFKdBQ1cjAHGjteRJrEPDtiAPFF-PKnijwEJh4DyiJ0hcmhl2qzNMeyknnFjFoZlJF4ldSscTnJ67yEy9G1O_gsd9vkL3I9rg19smXdVkwIddBSPQJV9Y3QaQ/s16000/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Ballistic_Missile_SLBM.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
![After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78% After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gqEMaVLWzwfWoT_TYd9Nq6l_8hzGBwBcYv73-7NyZhMMOVESTbGDkgJ3-och4WjuFOk_g77IqZ4X6X0w9rasItBPQV8nZJXEL4XLy-DjFQbSXdhAkkJnJ3LDFF89t6DWWfsoaB0lH44jZtimqJ1gcelysqmbPAMJE5dRUMhjbOYBH2TG5D8BUPiwQHU/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Sukhoi_Su30MKI_Fighter_1.jpg)
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
![Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DIV1319opVfF8xXfP0sNkvUWwmHz1_Z_uMnNlj6rmFdhUAIsZ3TlJ-SweWhTSzvDmv3bGOZBeWERJE6U8S2Va_JDYmX2_SVcIpjshN1r7OE_efYIvjPOmD0npIS3qa1DhofPsHi41veOUyKwhAGftQmO3iSnldJoWS-JOaTYn8iUKxo4JC7XcN-AZpI/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Akash_Air_Defence_Missile_1.jpg)
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
-
Solar Energy3 years ago
DLR testing the use of molten salt in a solar power plant in Portugal
-
world news10 months ago
Gulf, France aid Gaza, Russia evacuates citizens
-
Camera3 years ago
Charles ‘Chuck’ Geschke, co-founder of Adobe and inventor of the PDF, dies at 81
-
Solar Energy10 months ago
Glencore eyes options on battery recycling project
-
Camera10 months ago
DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Pro: which compact drone is best?
-
TOP SCEINCE5 months ago
Can animals count?
-
Camera3 years ago
80,000MP panoramas: EarthCam announces world’s highest-resolution robotic webcam
-
world news10 months ago
Strong majority of Americans support Israel-Hamas hostage deal