Day before MiG-21 retires, IAF likely to get boost of 97 fourth-gen Tejas deal today

The Indian Air Force will receive as many as 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighters under the largest-ever contract with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) worth Rs 66,500, a day after Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets were decommissioned.

According to a report by TOI, the major contract for 97 fourth-generation Tejas jets could be signed as early as Thursday, just a day before the retirement of 36 ageing MiG-21s, a move that will reduce the IAF to an all-time low of 29 fighter squadrons, each comprising 16 to 18 jets.

The order comes following Operation Sindoor, which saw Pakistan use Chinese-origin jets like J-10s armed with PL-15, and made IAF come to the conclusion based on an internal assessment that it will need far more than even its “authorised” 42.5 fighter squadrons.

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“The IAF was insistent the new contract should not be inked before deliveries of the earlier 83 jets begin, with HAL being held accountable. The defence ministry, however, must spend its budget within specified timelines…the initial payment will go to HAL once the contract is signed,” a source told the media outlet.

The IAF has consistently raised concerns over the painfully slow progress in developing the single-engine Tejas fighters, warning that operational readiness cannot be compromised indefinitely in the name of atmanirbharta (self-reliance).

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Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has openly acknowledged the shortfall, stating that the IAF is “very badly off in numbers” and must induct at least 40 fighter jets annually to maintain combat readiness.

MiG-21 retires

The legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet for over six decades, are finally set to retire from the IAF at a decommissioning event in Chandigarh, where the iconic aircraft was first inducted over six decades ago.

The official culmination of MiG-21 operations is set for September 26 with a ceremonial flypast and decommissioning event, marking the closure of a historic chapter in India’s air power.

The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23rd Squadron, nicknamed “Panthers”, will be given a farewell at the decommissioning ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force station.

On Friday, Air Chief Marshal Singh will fly the last sortie of the Squadron with the call sign ‘Badal 3’.

With inputs from agencies