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Despite the dismal performance record of the current fleet of MiG-21 and a series of mishaps, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is not able to phase out these obsolete Soviet era fighter planes due the delays in the induction of new fighter planes and the slow pace of indigenisation.
IAF officials have indicated that the MiG-21 has an unsatisfactory on-board system but it is still being flown since grounding them without replacements will affect the minimum force level of the IAF drastically.
Roughly 150 of the over 450 single-engine MiG-21s with the IAF are still in service. The IAF has a fighter plane squadron strength of 33.5 against the sanctioned 39. The shortfall in the squadron strength is the result of the delays in the acquisition of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and in the acquisition of MMRCA (Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft). Both these projects have been marred with delays and will continue to delay the phase-out of MiG-21.
IAF sources said that the current deadline for the retirement of the MiG-21 is year 2011. However, this will surely be extended since the indigenous LCA and the procurement of MMRCA is going at a very slow pace. Fortunately, MiG-21 has about 80 per cent serviceability and its maintenance facility will make these workhorses serve the IAF longer.
The MiG-21 was inducted in 1964 and has been used in 1971 Indo-Pak war as well as the Kargil conflict which happened in 1999. However, its track record in terms of safety and performance has been poor. Since 1993, the IAF has lost over 260 aircraft during peace time and fifteen of them crashed in the last five years. The latest crash took place September 11 when a MiG-21 went down in Punjab, killing the pilot.
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