Soldier On
The recent MiG-21 crash in Rajasthan that killed three villagers serves as a grim reminder of the tragic state of the aircraft. The MiG-21 has been in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 1963, longer than any other aircraft. Over the years, it has acquired nicknames such as “Flying Coffin” and “Widow Maker” … Read more
The Indian Air Force is currently facing a significant challenge with its ageing fleet of fighter jets. Many of the IAF’s current fighter jets, such as the MiG-21 have been in service for decades and are well past their expected lifespan. As these aircraft continue to age, maintenance costs increase, and their operational readiness decreases, … Read more
The dogfight for picking the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) for the security of the Indian skies is beginning anew, this time for a much larger number than the 2007 figure of 189 asked by the Indian Air Force (IAF) — an estimated 400 for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 60 for the Indian … Read more
An Indian Air Force plan to replace its MiG fighter fleet with a ‘Made in India’ combat aircraft is heading for trouble. As of now the choice is between two aircraft from Sweden and the US, both of which failed a comprehensive technical evaluation process in 2010. Plus, there are grumbles that other countries which … Read more
An Indian Air Force MiG-21 crash-landed at the Srinagar Airport on Tuesday. The pilot ejected from the aircraft safely, but the runway has been damaged. The plane is believed to have overshot the runway during landing. “The fighter jet made an emergency landing at the Srinagar Airport after the pilot noticed a technical snag in the … Read more
In the early hours of June 13, 1999, at the height of the Kargil War, Indian Air Force fighter pilots were minutes away from launching a full-fledged air attack deep inside Pakistan. Targets had been assigned, route maps finalized; Pistols to be carried by pilots had been loaded with ammunition and Pakistani currency collected, … Read more