<p>A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Hanumangarh in the western state of Rajasthan, killing three people and injuring as many. The news agency ANI reported citing sources that the pilot is safe, with rescue operations underway. The jet crashed during a routine training sortie after suffering a technical snag.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Initial reports mentioned that the jet, which had taken off from Suratgarh, crashed on a house in Bahlolnagar and killed three villagers. According to local media reports, police said that all three killed in the crash were women.&nbsp;A video shared by the news agency showed locals gathering at the crash site. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pilot, meanwhile, jumped out of the aircraft and landed safely in a drain area with the help of their parachute and sustained minor injuries. Reports mentioned that an IAF helicopter was sent to rescue the injured.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a tweet, IAF wrote: "A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The air force also mentioned that an inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>IAF also noted that the "pilot experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures. Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Local police have informed about the accident in the Sadar police station area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Om Prakash, Inspector General of Police, Bikaner, said: "The pilot made all efforts to avert human casualties and crash-landed the plane on the outskirts of the village."&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries.<br />
An inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.</p>
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1655446544164995075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed near Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. The aircraft had taken off from Suratgarh. The pilot is safe. More details awaited: IAF Sources <a href="https://t.co/0WOwoU5ASi">pic.twitter.com/0WOwoU5ASi</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1655439620098899968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>MiG-21 jets have served as the backbone of the country's air force for decades after first entering Indian service in the 1960s, but s number of crashes in the past few decades has raised concerns over the planes and their safety.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, an Indian Army chopper crashed in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, near Machhna village in the district's Marwah tehsil. Reports said that three people onboard the chopper sustained injuries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In March, a Cheetah helicopter crashed near the Mandala hills area in Arunachal Pradesh, killing the pilot and co-pilot. The pilots were identified as Lieutenant Colonel VVB Reddy and Major Jayanth A.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In January, two fighter jets – Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 – crashed near Morena in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, killing one pilot. The air force said that the jets had taken off from Gwalior and the aircraft were on a routine operational flying training mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Hanumangarh in the western state of Rajasthan, killing three people and injuring as many. The news agency ANI reported citing sources that the pilot is safe, with rescue operations underway.

A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Hanumangarh in the western state of Rajasthan, killing three people and injuring as many. The news agency ANI reported citing sources that the pilot is safe, with rescue operations underway. The jet crashed during a routine training sortie after suffering a technical snag. Initial reports mentioned that the jet, which had taken off from Suratgarh, crashed on a house in Bahlolnagar and killed three villagers. According to local media reports, police said that all three killed in the crash were women. A video shared by the news agency showed locals gathering at the crash site. The pilot, meanwhile, jumped out of the aircraft and landed safely in a drain area with the help of their parachute and sustained minor injuries. Reports mentioned that an IAF helicopter was sent to rescue the injured. In a tweet, IAF wrote: "A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries." The air force also mentioned that an inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. IAF also noted that the "pilot experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures. Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection". Local police have informed about the accident in the Sadar police station area. Om Prakash, Inspector General of Police, Bikaner, said: "The pilot made all efforts to avert human casualties and crash-landed the plane on the outskirts of the village." A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries. An inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 8, 2023 × #WATCH | Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed near Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. The aircraft had taken off from Suratgarh. The pilot is safe. More details awaited: IAF Sources pic.twitter.com/0WOwoU5ASi — ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2023 × MiG-21 jets have served as the backbone of the country's air force for decades after first entering Indian service in the 1960s, but s number of crashes in the past few decades has raised concerns over the planes and their safety. Last month, an Indian Army chopper crashed in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, near Machhna village in the district's Marwah tehsil. Reports said that three people onboard the chopper sustained injuries. In March, a Cheetah helicopter crashed near the Mandala hills area in Arunachal Pradesh, killing the pilot and co-pilot. The pilots were identified as Lieutenant Colonel VVB Reddy and Major Jayanth A. In January, two fighter jets – Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 – crashed near Morena in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, killing one pilot. The air force said that the jets had taken off from Gwalior and the aircraft were on a routine operational flying training mission. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: IAF MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan, killing at least three civilians; rescue operation underway

<p>The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to phase out the remaining four squadrons of the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter aircraft within a three-year time frame, with one of them likely to retire from service in September this year, according to reports.</p>

<p>The air force plans to retire all&nbsp;four MiG-21 squadrons by 2025. Currently, the IAF has around 70 MiG-21 aircraft and 50 MiG-29 variants.</p>

<p>Apart from that, plans are also afoot to retire the MiG-29 fleet, with the officials drawing up a timeline to phase out in the next five years.</p>

<p>Notably, the decision comes days after two IAF pilots died after MiG-21 fighter aircraft they were flying crashed in western Rajasthan's Barmer district on Thursday. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.</p>

<p>But the officials maintained that the plan to retire the ageing fleet is part of the IAF’s modernisation drive and not linked to Barmer incident, according to PTI news agency.</p>

<p>Srinagar-based No. 51 squadron, which is also known as “Sword Arms,” is set to be retired by September 30. The squadron generally comprises 17 to 20 aircraft.</p>

<p><strong>MiGs long stay in the IAF</strong></p>

<p>The MiG-21 is India’s longest-serving fighter plane. However, the aircraft has had a very poor safety record of late.</p>

<p>The aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (OKB) of the erstwhile Soviet Union, and it made its maiden flight on 16 June, 1955.</p>

<p>The first fleet of the MiG variant was inducted into the IAF in 1963 and India procured over 700 MiG-variants in the subsequent decades.</p>

<p>India’s decision to buy MiG series should be looked through the prism of 1962 war China and growing hostility from Pakistan. At the time, India was desperately scaling up its military capability to prepare for attack despite cash-strapped economy.</p>

<p>The Soviet Union was willing to sell this fighter aircraft on extremely favourable terms and even agreed for licensed production by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).</p>

<p>Since then the plane has seen several updates and modifications.</p>

<p>In 2000, Indian MiG-21s were upgraded with new censors and weapons. The modified version was later used by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down a F-16 fighter of Pakistan in 2019, a day after India had carried out air strikes in Balakot.</p>

<p><strong>Number of crashes and deaths</strong></p>

<p>Though MiGs are the backbone of the IAF, the aircraft has earned numerous monikers, such as ‘flying coffin’&nbsp;and ‘widow maker’ due to frequent crashes.</p>

<p>According to a Times of India newspaper report, over 400 MiG-21s have crashed since 1971-72, killing over 200 pilots and another 50 people on the ground.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-air-forces-mig-21-crashes-in-rajasthan-three-pilots-killed-501552" hreflang="en">Indian Air Force's MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan, two pilots killed</a></p>

<p>Bharat-Rakshak.com, an aviation website that works closely with the IAF, has documented the accidents that the MiG has seen since its induction. The first two MiG crashes took place in December 1963.</p>

<p><strong>Why is India still using MiG-21?</strong></p>

<p>According to reports, the MiG-21 had completed its retirement period in the mid-1990s.</p>

<p>It is not as if IAF was impervious to the series of crashes and the faulty mechanism of the MiGs. Due to delays in induction of new fighter aircraft, the IAF has been forced to keep the ageing flights to maintain a certain squadron strength to guard India's skies.</p>

<p>Apart from that, there have been delays in the indigenous Tejas programme, political controversy surrounding the Rafael deal and slow-paced procurement procedure. With no avenues to increase the fleet strength, the IAF had to keep MiGs in service longer than usual.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to phase out the remaining four squadrons of the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter aircraft within a three-year time frame, with one of them likely to retire from service in September this year, according to reports.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to phase out the remaining four squadrons of the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter aircraft within a three-year time frame, with one of them likely to retire from service in September this year, according to reports. The air force plans to retire all four MiG-21 squadrons by 2025. Currently, the IAF has around 70 MiG-21 aircraft and 50 MiG-29 variants. Apart from that, plans are also afoot to retire the MiG-29 fleet, with the officials drawing up a timeline to phase out in the next five years. Notably, the decision comes days after two IAF pilots died after MiG-21 fighter aircraft they were flying crashed in western Rajasthan's Barmer district on Thursday. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. But the officials maintained that the plan to retire the ageing fleet is part of the IAF’s modernisation drive and not linked to Barmer incident, according to PTI news agency. Srinagar-based No. 51 squadron, which is also known as “Sword Arms,” is set to be retired by September 30. The squadron generally comprises 17 to 20 aircraft. MiGs long stay in the IAF The MiG-21 is India’s longest-serving fighter plane. However, the aircraft has had a very poor safety record of late. The aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (OKB) of the erstwhile Soviet Union, and it made its maiden flight on 16 June, 1955. The first fleet of the MiG variant was inducted into the IAF in 1963 and India procured over 700 MiG-variants in the subsequent decades. India’s decision to buy MiG series should be looked through the prism of 1962 war China and growing hostility from Pakistan. At the time, India was desperately scaling up its military capability to prepare for attack despite cash-strapped economy. The Soviet Union was willing to sell this fighter aircraft on extremely favourable terms and even agreed for licensed production by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Since then the plane has seen several updates and modifications. In 2000, Indian MiG-21s were upgraded with new censors and weapons. The modified version was later used by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down a F-16 fighter of Pakistan in 2019, a day after India had carried out air strikes in Balakot. Number of crashes and deaths Though MiGs are the backbone of the IAF, the aircraft has earned numerous monikers, such as ‘flying coffin’ and ‘widow maker’ due to frequent crashes. According to a Times of India newspaper report, over 400 MiG-21s have crashed since 1971-72, killing over 200 pilots and another 50 people on the ground. Also read | Indian Air Force's MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan, two pilots killed Bharat-Rakshak.com, an aviation website that works closely with the IAF, has documented the accidents that the MiG has seen since its induction. The first two MiG crashes took place in December 1963. Why is India still using MiG-21? According to reports, the MiG-21 had completed its retirement period in the mid-1990s. It is not as if IAF was impervious to the series of crashes and the faulty mechanism of the MiGs. Due to delays in induction of new fighter aircraft, the IAF has been forced to keep the ageing flights to maintain a certain squadron strength to guard India's skies. Apart from that, there have been delays in the indigenous Tejas programme, political controversy surrounding the Rafael deal and slow-paced procurement procedure. With no avenues to increase the fleet strength, the IAF had to keep MiGs in service longer than usual. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian Air Force to retire all MiG-21 fleet in 3 years, MiG-29 phase out also in pipeline

Another MiG-21 has crashed in India. The trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan killing 2 pilots. There have been 6 reported crashes involving MiG-21 in the last 20 months. Why is this aircraft not be retired? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Another MiG-21 crashes in India, 2 pilots killed

<p>Both pilots of a twin-seater MiG-21 that crashed in the Barmer district of Rajasthan have died according to District Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhargava.</p>

<p>After the accident, the Indian Air Force issued a statement saying '' IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families.''</p>

<p>''A court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,'' it added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Rajasthan: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details regarding the pilots awaited <a href="https://t.co/5KfO24hZB6">pic.twitter.com/5KfO24hZB6</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1552696029044060161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian Air Force chief Marshal VR Chaudhari spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to brief him about the crash.</p>

<p>Two fire brigades of Cairn Vedanta reached the spot of the accident but they struggled to control the fire.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan. Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness. <a href="https://t.co/avKi9YoMdo">https://t.co/avKi9YoMdo</a></p>
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1552709650235043846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>MiG-21, which is a single-engine multirole fighter or ground attack aircraft, was upgraded in 2006 with features including better avionics, powerful multi-mode radars, and the capability of transporting a wide range of guided munitions.</p>

<p>This is not the first time the&nbsp;Soviet-origin plane has crashed. Since 1963, 872 MiG-21s have been inducted by the IAF.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the past 51 years, over 400 MiG-21s have crashed and killed more than 200 pilots and almost 50 civilians on the ground.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Both pilots of a twin-seater MiG-21 that crashed in the Barmer district of Rajasthan have died according to District Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhargava. After the accident, the Indian Air Force issued a statement saying '' IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families.

Both pilots of a twin-seater MiG-21 that crashed in the Barmer district of Rajasthan have died according to District Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhargava. After the accident, the Indian Air Force issued a statement saying '' IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families.'' ''A court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,'' it added. #WATCH | Rajasthan: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details regarding the pilots awaited pic.twitter.com/5KfO24hZB6 — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022 × Indian Air Force chief Marshal VR Chaudhari spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to brief him about the crash. Two fire brigades of Cairn Vedanta reached the spot of the accident but they struggled to control the fire. Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan. Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness. https://t.co/avKi9YoMdo — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 28, 2022 × MiG-21, which is a single-engine multirole fighter or ground attack aircraft, was upgraded in 2006 with features including better avionics, powerful multi-mode radars, and the capability of transporting a wide range of guided munitions. This is not the first time the Soviet-origin plane has crashed. Since 1963, 872 MiG-21s have been inducted by the IAF. In the past 51 years, over 400 MiG-21s have crashed and killed more than 200 pilots and almost 50 civilians on the ground. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Indian Air Force's MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan, two pilots killed

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India: IAF MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan, killing at least three civilians; rescue operation underway

Indian Air Force to retire all MiG-21 fleet in 3 years, MiG-29 phase out also in pipeline

Gravitas: Another MiG-21 crashes in India, 2 pilots killed

Indian Air Force's MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan, two pilots killed