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Sunday, September 14, 2025
TopicMiG-21

Topic: MiG-21

As IAF phases out yet another MiG-21 squadron, a look at the journey of the fighter aircraft

IAF equipped 28 fighter squadrons & 4 training units with MiG-21. 16 have been numberplated. Between 2015 & 2022, IAF phased out a squadron each year in March, with exception of 2021. 

Veteran of two India-Pakistan wars, IAF’s 1st supersonic squadron completes 60 years

No 28 Squadron inducted MiG-21s in 1963 & transitioned to MiG-29s in 1987. It played major role in attack on Governor's House in Dhaka that ultimately hastened liberation of Bangladesh.

Xi shells, bombs & blasts near Taiwan shore, and hand-me-down MiG-21’s flight into sunset

The best cartoons of the day, chosen by the editors at ThePrint.

On coronavirus, Indians can overcome fear the way I did on my MiG-21 in 1986

Fear for a soldier is the onset of doubt that a mission won’t be accomplished. But fear is never the solution, India should know that as it fights coronavirus.

IAF’s 26 Squadron celebrates 50th anniversary — it could well be the last

The 26 Squadron is likely to be number plated latest by March when the IAF phases out non-upgraded Bis and Type 96 versions of the MiG-21 fighter jets.

India gets modern Rafale, but is only major air force to fly these 6 outdated aircraft

From Soviet-era MiGs to British Avro transporters and French-origin Chetak/Cheetah helicopters, these 6 IAF aircraft need to be phased out soon.

Kargil’s little-known fact: How IAF used helicopters to target intruders at high altitudes

IAF had planned to use helicopters as primary strike weapons. But their slow speed meant they would be sitting ducks. So what did IAF do?

Haven’t counted Pakistan’s F-16s, says Pentagon after US magazine claimed it did

Foreign Policy magazine claimed Pakistan's F-16s were found to be intact after a count by US defence personnel, which goes against India's position that it downed one of the jets on 27 February.

NaMo TV’s launch without licence shows clear collusion between party & govt

ThePrint view on the most important issues, instantly.

MiG-21 fighter jet crashes at Bikaner, pilot ejects safely

The aircraft took off from the Nal airbase near Bikaner on a routine mission.

On Camera

Russian-style socialism dominated Nehru’s imagination. It was disastrous

It is necessary to break the spell of socialist dogma on the imagination of those attracted by its Utopia as the only scientific way of progress, wrote MA Venkatarao in 1963.

What’s behind bond yields’ logic-defying spike? The market’s concern over the future

While bond yields tend to fall amid low inflation & interest rate cuts, market experts say they’ve been rising due to concerns over tax collections, fiscal deficit & potential impact of US tariffs.

Navy gets first Tata-made Spanish 3D surveillance radar for its warships, 19 more to come

It is one of the most advanced long-range air defence and anti-missile radars. It has been acquired under an about USD 145-million deal signed in 2020.

Gen Zs have taken down the Nepal regime. Here’s why this will never happen in India

To be truly functional and durable, even eternal, a state doesn’t just need a leader, a party or an ideology. It needs functional and robust institutions.