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Indian Air Force loses third jet in two weeks
The Indian Air Force (IAF) lost another MiG-21 today after the jet crashed while on routine patrol in Rajasthan after what media reports said was a likely bird hit.
The IAF said in a statement that the MiG-21 had taken off from IAF's Nal airbase in Rajasthan.
"Today afternoon, a MiG-21 aircraft on a routine mission crashed after getting airborne from Nal near Bikaner," the IAF reported. "Initial inputs indicate the likely cause as bird hit after take off. Pilot of the aircraft ejected safely. A CoI [Court of Inquiry] will investigate the cause of the accident."
On February 27, the Pakistan Air Force had shot down two Indian aircraft after they violated Pakistani airspace over Azad Kashmir.
One of the aircraft, a MiG-21 Bison, had fallen inside Azad Jammu and Kashmir while the other fell in Indian occupied Kashmir.
One Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was arrested by troops and later released by the government as a gesture of peace intended to defuse soaring tensions with New Delhi.
'Vintage' equipment
In the aftermath of the air fight between the two rival countries, questions were raised regarding India's military equipment termed as "vintage" by a report in The New York Times.
"While the challenges faced by the India’s armed forces are no secret, its loss of a plane last week to a country whose military is about half the size and receives a quarter of the funding was still telling," The New York Times said. It also pointed out that the United States had sold India arms worth $15 billion in a decade.
"If intense warfare broke out tomorrow, India could supply its troops with only 10 days of ammunition, according to government estimates. And 68 per cent of the army’s equipment is so old, it is officially considered 'vintage'," the report said.
Comments (65) Closed
These are tangible and penetrating sights and sounds of old and obsolete "Made in Russia" technology, which even the Russians have stopped using since last many decades.
It's just is useful during air fight.
A vintage fleet operated by untrained staff.
IAF is to seriously think getting rid of MiG-21s and buy JF-17s.
Near Rajhastan which is not far from the border and that too hit by a bird. Sounds strange. Perhaps, the name of the missile that hit the plane was 'BIRD'--Border Intrusion Radar Defense.
62 billion dollars...where did all the money go.
It’s not just the MiG-21 but the quality of pilots flying those aircrafts. My understanding is that these MiGs have been upgraded to match or even exceed the performance of F-16s. French and Americans shall think about selling their fighters to Indian Air Force, because they may end up ruining Desault, Boeing or Lockheed Martin’s name brand and reputation!
Some how India will find a way to celebrate it as well.
Are these planes insure.?
They should sell MIG-21s to Nepal ....
2nd. Pilot of the third was killed by you. Ironic.
When it rains, its pours.
High time India gets rid of expired fleet of vintage aircrafts
If this keeps up, India will need more retired MIG’s from Russia.
A bird in a desert where there’s no water, maybe the bird had bad coordinates too like the pilots.
India will take it off by 2022
Bird hit can bring down any aircraft....MIG21 is outdated .. should be retired....
At the rate India is losing her planes, the nation might take lesson or two in arial warfare from Pakistan once normal diplomacy resumes. Will save them from lessons of humiliation in the future!
@SATT,
'It's just as useful during air fight.'
For target practice?
Airforce trying to justify Raphael deal
@LAHORI KID, you sound like an expert on Rajasthan bird life as well as flying a fighter jet!
@indRAT, atleast they were not a donation like your F16s!
India will soon fill its losseswith more fighter just that politics and curroption take away time. Now that all sorted soon india will phase out all MIG 21.
@manish,
..and crash like MiG-21.
Again. Where is abhi
Pakistan doesn't need to bring down the India's planes the nature is doing it for us.
High time to think on it by government officials
India is too poor a country to maintain an up-to-date equipment and train the armed forces as well. US is pushing India to a role it cannot fulfil. All these arms come at the cost of the phone of the Indian union.
India needs to recognize that it does not pay to apply their typical business philosophy of saving money by retrofitting old aircraft and reducing flight time for their pilots.
India spends most of its money on education and attempts to uplift millions out of poverty. Unlike the neighbor, it neither takes alms nor has a couple of sugar daddy's that it has to please. Obviously flies old fleet, yet the vintage Mig21 shot down an "advanced F16". Go figure.
They have better planes wonder why India is still using them?
@Jehengir khan, "Bird hit can bring down any aircraft.." Does the Geneva convention applies to birds?
@Waseem, by claiming the insurance and buying a new one.
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, In Aviation bird strikes are common , can bring down any aircrafs even a brand new A380, but i suppose your lack of understanding on the subject is acceptable around here.
All airforces lose aircrafts to accidents including dumbistan air force. It's just that your military is too insecure to reveal it.
@RationalBabu , What about Russia donating second hand scrap metal you call fighter jets to you its because that's all you deserve.!!
@Comments, JF 17s are useless. Rafales n Tejas are on the way
@Zak, Economy n its growth speaks all
@RationalBabu , we paid for the f-16,.get your source corrected.
thats the reason to blame congress, all money looted by Congress leading this situation.
Keep in mind Pakistan also flies licensed and modified Chinese MIG-21. They are about 25% of fighter jets Pakistan currently has. Similarly Pakistan mirages are even older. I think Pakistan maintenance of these planes is better.
India has to understand that there is a huge cost of imperialism which India wants to dictate, and there is no way India is ready for it. Please retire Mig-21 for the sake of your pilot's lives.
@Mougli, High time India gets rid of Airforce and feed it's people.
The old MiGs should be scrapped by India. They take precious lives.
It is India's decision but I would never buy Russian equipment.
@manish, not on moral grounds
This is good news for those against war. One less jet in indian military means 1 less jet that can be used in an unjust and aggressive war.
@RationalBabu , Irrational Bhalu we paid for them. Your knowledge is very limited & your comments biased.
@Anas Iqbal, Modi and Co. have their own interests which they can take easily from Russians firms as compared to american companies like Lockheed and Grumman who are accountable to senate and cannot do special favors.
@Ashton, in that case, Indian economy not doing so well.
This plane is Fantastic
@SK, where is that F16 any proof
Its actually 4 not 3! There was a same side goal.
@RationalBabu , For you information, the F16 were not donations. They were purchased with hard cash. In any case, now think of tackling JF17s!
@Ashton, You are right. But these JF17s brought down 1 Mig 21 Bison and one SU 30!!This only means your pilots are no match.
Pakistan has again proved that it has far more better equipment and mind than India . We seek quality than quantity ! These 768 Indian aircrafts are no match to 372 Pakistani aircrafts !
@Texas Ranger , I agree with you smarty. I think the Indian Air Force dropped this Mig on purpose so they can justify buying the Rafale as soon as possible! Hard bargaining....ain't it :)
@Ashton, "sour grapes"!!!!
@Ashton, Good enough to knock down MiG and Su30 .
It's good that the Indians haven't blamed the crash on Pakistan. They could have easily claimed that the bird came from across the border and was wearing particular colors.
@Anas Iqbal,
This is the whole idea to put pressure on Russia to buy latest aircrafts
@Yawar, 100% agree with you, they should have retired these antic pieces 20 years back.
@Sameer, Into BJP coffers for elections.
@Hassan, its in Bollywood.
Flying coffins