The iconic MiG-21 fighter jets, which were officially retired on September 26 after serving the Indian Air Force (IAF) for over six decades, is being brought out of retirement. This time, the fighter aircraft will not be guarding India's skies, but will form part of the heritage wing of the IAF, which flies such retired fighter jets during air shows and commemorative events.
The heritage wing of the IAF specialises in showcasing the historical legacy of the IAF through flying vintage and retired aircraft during commemorations, air shows, and special events. The wing plays a major role in preserving and showcasing the rich history of the IAF.
According to a report by The Tribune, the MiG-21 fighter jets will soon join the heritage fleet. While the main challenge of maintaining a legacy aircraft such as this is sourcing spare parts, in the case of MiG-21s, this will not be a problem as the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was licence-producing the aircraft, and hence the company has an inventory of parts.
ALSO READ: Legacy of MiG-21: India's enduring warrior of the skies
The report in The Tribune does not say how many MiG-21s will form part of the heritage wing.
The last of the MiG-21 jets of IAF, belonging to No. 23 Squadron, nicknamed 'Panthers' was given a farewell at the decommissioning ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force station on September 26.
The MiG-21 fighter jets used to be the mainstay of the IAF for a long time. They were the dominant platforms during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. The fighters also played a major role in the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as the 2019 Balakot air strikes.