The MiG-21 was designed to combat spying aircraft like U-2 in the United States.
The Indian Air Force MiG-21 aircraft retired on Friday. It was given a final farewell at Chandigarh Airbase. In the farewell ceremony, its last flight with 6 jets of 23 squadron was filled by Air Force Chief AP Singh. This fighter Jet, who joined the Air Force in 1963, played an important role in many war. Whether it is an Indo-Pak war of 1965 or Bangladesh Mukti Sangram of 1965, Kargil War of 1999 and Balakot air strike of 2019. This is India’s first supersonic jet which has the power to fly faster than the speed of voice. Now Tejas LCA Mark 1A will replace it.
Let us know on this excuse why Chandigarh Airbase was chosen for the farewell of MiG-21, what is its full name and in whose name it was called MiG-21?
Why Chandigarh Airbase for farewell to MiG-21?
This is because Chadigarh Airbase is the place where MiG-21 was included in the Indian Air Force in 1963. Therefore, this airbase was chosen for farewell. A fleet of 13 MiG-21 aircraft was brought here to meet the demand of the Indian Air Force high altitude interceptor. It was especially designed to combat spying aircraft like U-2 in the US.
In 1963, MiG-21 was inducted into the Indian Air Force.
How was the name MiG-21?
The full name of MiG-21 is Mikoyan and Gurevich-21. This is the two names that designed this aircraft.It was created by the Soviet Union’s aircraft manufacturing company Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau. The company was named after Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. Mikhail was born in Russia.
The first prototype of MiG was flown in 1955 and in 1959 it was made part of the Soviet Union Air Force. After this, many countries imported MiG-21. India was also included in those countries. It started in India from 1963. Later, many of its variants were prepared by HAL.
Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, who created MiG-21.
Ever called Tiger of the Sky
The number of MiG-21 aircraft in the Indian Air Force was more than 800. Enemies also trembled with its speed, firepower and power. Due to its merits, MiG-21 was called the tiger of the sky. The MiG-21 was equipped with high-tech weapons for years and remained the need of the army as a ‘fighter aircraft’. However, due to many accidents, the image started getting tarnished, then it also came to be called a flying coffin.
Fighter Jet MiG-21 is making a share of air forces of many countries for more than 60 years, this record is with very few fighter aircraft in the world. One of its biggest features was that it was easy to maintain it with being cheap. Was available on a large scale. Therefore, it became a part of the armies of many countries of the world and recorded its name in history.
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