HYDERABAD: The phasing out of MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been involved in several accidents over the years, will happen over the next two to three years, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said on Saturday. He added that this would pave the way for the induction of the 36 Rafale jets by 2022, and then the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) would be added.
Speaking at the combined graduation parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Bhadauria said that mere ageing of aircraft doesn’t make them accident-prone. “Discontinuation of flying the MiG-21 immediately is not the answer. In another 2-3 years they will be phased out as soon as they get to their life’s end.
