MiG-21 Bison Fighter Jets Fly For The Last Time For Indian Air Force. WATCH
The MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft flew for the last time for Indian Air Force as it would be now replaced with Light Combat Aircraft Mark-1A.
The MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft took its last flight today over Rajasthan’s Barmer as the Indian Air Force would be replacing it with the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A aircraft. The MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft of the No 4 squadron of the Indian Air Force flew for the last time over the Uttarlai town in Barmer, Rajasthan on Tuesday.
The Su-30 MKI also flew alongside the Mig-21 Bison on the occasion.
Watch the video here
#WATCH | Marking the end of an era, the MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft of the No 4 squadron of the Indian Air Force flew for the last time over the Uttarlai town in Barmer, Rajasthan. On this occasion, the MiG-21 Bison flew alongside the Su-30 MKI. pic.twitter.com/2lyRgcEDZj
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2023
The first batch of LCA Mark-1A fighter jets would be delivered in around February 2024, stated a report published by ANI.
On December 16, 2021, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited inked a pact with Bharat Electronics Limited for development and supply of 20 types of systems for the LCA Tejas Mark-1A programme.
The five-year contract from 2023 to 2028 is valued at Rupees 2400 crore and involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units, flight control computers and night flying LRUs. It's the biggest ever order HAL has placed on any Indian company boosting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.
ALSO READ: SC Asks Punjab, Delhi Among 5 States To File Affidavits On Steps Taken To Curb Air Pollution
The ANI report also stated that the Indian Air Force was planning to buy 100 more LCA Mark-1A fighter jets replacing the Mig-21 aircraft in its fleet. The plan to buy these Made In India aircraft has been submitted to the Defence Ministry and all other stakeholders in the national security establishment, the report added.
Christened Tejas in 2003, the aircraft is a multi-role platform that ranks amongst the best in its class. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles.
The Light Combat Aircraft programme was launched in the 1980s when the IAF realised the need to replace the ageing MiG-21 fighters.
Top Headlines
