A New Era Begins: IAF Orders 97 Tejas Mark-1A a Day After MiG-21 Retirement

25 September-Kolkata, India: It has been a day after the legendary and iconic Russian-made MiG-21 fighter jets retired or decommisoned, after which the Indian Air Force will receive a new batch of 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighters, which Hindusthan Aeronautics(HAL) produces under a contract.

According to a report, officials will sign a contract this Thursday for the 97th generation Tejas fighter jets after decomissioning the MiG-21s after 36 years of service. But the retirment of MiG-21 will reduce the Indian Air Force to 29-fighter jet squadrons, which comprises 16 to 18 jets.

The decision to get new fighter jets

The order was issued after Operation Sindoor, where the IAF saw Pakistan use Chinese-origin jet fighters like J-10s, which are armed with PL-15. The mission led the IAF to the conclusion that they need “authorised” 42.5 fighter squadrons after various meetings.

A source later said to an unknown media outlet that “The IAF insisted that the new contract should not be inked before the earlier 83 jets begin to be delivered, holding HAL accountable. The defence ministry, however, must spend its budget within specified timelines…the initial payment will go to HAL once the contract is signed.”

The IAF feels sad about the slow progress of the single-engine Tejas jet fighters, which sets a warning that in the cause of atmanirbhata(self-reliance), operational readiness cannot be permanently jeopardised.

The Chief Air Marshall AP Singh has highlighted on the grave situation and said “the IAF is very badly off in numbers and must induct at least 40 fighter jets annually to maintain combat readiness.”

The decision to retire MiG-21

It is nothing but sheer power and loyalty that the Russian origin MiG-21 has served the Indian Air Force(IAF) for over six decades and has been the main airpower behind the enemy lines. The authorities made the decision to retire the MiG-21 suddenly at an event in Chandigarh, the same place where they inducted it for the first time.

The official retiring date of MiG-21 is set on September 26, it is an event where the Indian Air Force(IAF) will thank the services of MiG-21 with a ceremonial flypast and also marking the end of historic chapter with the Russian origin fighter jets.

The last of the MiG-21 jets belonged to the 23rd squadron by the name of “Panthers” and they will present the MiG-21 fighter jets in the decommissioning ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force Station.