New Delhi, 30 July 2022

As per news report of NDTV, The Indian Air Force also plans to start the phasing out of the three squadrons of MiG-29 fighter jets in the next five years (2027), they told Press Trust of India. At the same time, they added that the plan to phase out the Soviet-origin aircraft fleet is part of the IAF's modernisation drive and it is not related to the latest crash of a MiG-21 jet in Rajasthan's Barmer on Thursday night. Wing Commander M Rana and Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal, the two pilots of the jet, were killed in the crash that once again put the spotlight on the ageing fleet. The plan is to retire all the four MiG-21 squadrons by 2025, people familiar with the development told Press Trust of India. The Srinagar-based No 51 squadron will be number-plated on September 30. The number plating refers to the retirement of a squadron that generally comprises 17-20 aircraft.

Source - NDTV

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