December 9, 2013, 18:40 (MSK) | Economy | ITAR-TASS
Indian Air Force is removed from service MiG-21FL
NEW DELHI, Dec. 9. / Correspondent. ITAR-Tass Antipin /. India displays from the Air Force MiG-21FL.
Ceremony dedicated to this event, held on December 11, reported the Ministry of Defense. It will be attended by the commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Norman Anil Kuma Brown, one of the first piloted MiG-21, and other Indian captains.
Farewell to the MiG-21FL Kalaykunda held at an airbase in the eastern state of West Bengal. A tribute to the combat aircraft, a long time constitute the basis of military aviation in India over the airbase fly on parade MiG-27 and Su-30MKI and complete parade link MiG-21FL.
"At the ceremony, the last time we see these fighters in the air. Combat vehicles, opened the era of supersonic air forces of India, ever go down in history of military aviation, "- said the Indian Defense Ministry.
Soviet Union supplied MiG-21FL in India until 1966. Then began their licensed production in the republic. The first MiG-21FL entered service 28 Squadron of the Indian Air Force. By December 1971, new aircraft have already crossed eight squadrons. As highlighted in the report of the defense department, the fighters played an important role in the Indo-Pakistan conflict in 1965 and 1971.
In April, India celebrated the 50th anniversary of the beginning of deliveries of Soviet MiG-21. The agreement was signed in 1962, and they began a year later. In 1967th Corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over the first Indian Air Force MiG-21, which was built here under license from the USSR. India intends to withdraw all MiG-21 of various modifications / about 250 aircraft / out of service by 2018.
Many commanders in chief of the Indian Air Force began flying with the MiG-21. "I flew on these fighters more than 10 years - said in an interview with Trend. ITAR-TASS Marshal S. Krishnaswamy retired. - This outstanding aircraft for tactical and technical characteristics was one of the best front-line fighters from different countries at the end of XX century. "
As acknowledged by the current Indian Air Force Commander Brown, he also "started his career as a pilot on the MiG-21, and then became a pilot" Jaguar "/ co-production of France and Great Britain /". "I am often asked how I could move from one machine to another cruise, - he said. - On this question my colleagues and I answered: "We fly on another plane, but our heart is still with the MiG-21."
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