Context: 

A MiG-21 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed recently in Rajasthan’s Suratgarh while it was on a routine operational training sortie.

About MIG-21 Aircraft:

• The MiG-21s are among the six fighter jets presently flown by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and for a long period of time have been the backbone of the IAF.
• These are single engine, single-seater multi-role fighter/ground attack aircraft. 
• Variants:

1. 1. India has procured over 700 MiG-21 aircraft of different variants since then, such as the Type-77, Type-96 and the BIS. 
   2. The latest of them are the MiG-21 Bison, which is an upgraded aircraft with advanced missiles and radars and better avionics. 

• Major Role:

1. 1. In the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the MiG-21s (Type 77 variant) had played a major role in swaying the war’s result in India’s favour.
   2. It was also among the mainstay of the IAF in the 1965 war and the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan.

Past MiG accidents and causes

• As per available government data, close to 500 MiG-21s have crashed in the last 60 years, killing over 170 pilots. 
• The reasons for the crashes have been several — ranging from technical defects, human error, bird hits or spatial disorientation of pilots in certain circumstances.

Why does the IAF continue flying the MiG aircraft?

• The IAF has a sanctioned squadron strength of 42, even as its current squadron strength is around 30.
• Phasing out the fighter jets earlier would bring down the IAF’s fighter squadron strength at dangerously low levels, especially till they are replaced by the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas squadrons.

News Source: Indian Express 

DOWNLOAD PDF