For over 50 years, MiG-21 variants have been doing duty in Indian skies and their quick reaction time still makes them potent for interception and ground attack roles. The new chief flew the Type-96 fighter as a mark of trust in the backbone of the IAF.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The newly appointed Indian Air Force (IAF) chief flew solo in a MiG-21 Type 96 fighter on his first visit to a forward operational base.

"The Air Chief Marshal flew MiG-21 Type-96 aircraft solo, which is the oldest fighter fleet in the IAF inventory. He flew the same type of aircraft during Kargil Operations and carried out many night strike missions in the mountainous terrain," read a statement by the IAF.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa flies a MiG —21Type 96 fighter aircraft at Air Force Station Utarlai @SpokespersonMoD 1/2 pic.twitter.com/k8gN2SBJRI — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 12, 2017

The IAF chief's sortie with the oldest aircraft is considered a step towards inserting confidence among fighter pilots. The MiG remained accident prone for a number of years because spare parts were difficult to source after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

The MiG-21 stands tall in its performance and has been the IAF's backbone for over 53 years. As against the high crash rate of one per month after the breakup of the Soviet Union, the attrition rate has stabilized. In the last decade, attrition totaled 25 MiG 21 fighters of different variants. "There is a dire need to replace the MIG 21 aircraft which is nearly obsolete. It is not that we are not alive to this problem. Long term thinking has already started on this," said a defense official.

Chief of the Air Staff ACM B S Dhanoa on a 3 day visit to Air Force Station Utarlai flew a MiG- 21Type 96 fighter @SpokespersonMoD 2/2 pic.twitter.com/XNXWRCaQ62 — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 12, 2017

The shortage of fighters has compelled the IAF to continue with MiG-21 till 2024. According to the India's Ministry of Defense, there is a gap in force levels since the rate at which fighter aircraft are retiring exceeds the replacement rate.

India has inducted over 1,200 MiG variants since 1963, and more than 100 are still operational. The MiGs have been the high point of cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi and participated with distinction in India's external conflicts in 1965, 1971 and 1999.

The Indian government has shown interest in a single engine replacement for the MiG 21. But sources close to the Ministry of Defense say tendering may take more than three years.

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