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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ ... 081118.eceIndia to gift Mig-21 fighter jets to Russia
NEW DELHI, September 29, 2018 16:32 IST
Updated: September 29, 2018 22:00 IST
The aircraft will also get new registration numbers,
and may be adopted for vintage flight.
A highlight on the sidelines of the upcoming India-Russia bilateral summit
is likely to be the gifting of three MiG-21 fighter jets to Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in New Delhi
on October 4 and 5 for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Three MiG-21s are scheduled to be handed over to Russians
based on a request from their Defence Minister to our Defence Minister.
They comprise one Type 75 aircraft and two Type 77 aircraft,” an official source said.
The aircraft to be gifted are in flight-worthy condition
and the cost of crating and transportation
will be borne by the Russians, another official said.
This will be major symbolic gesture to showcase
the all-weather friendship and deep strategic partnership between India and Russia,
which has been put to test in recent times due to changing geopolitical conditions.
The aircraft will get new registration numbers and may be adopted for vintage flight.
However, it is not clear how the Russians intend to use them.
India inducted the MiG-21s in 1963
and got full technology transfer and rights to license-build the aircraft in the country.
It is the first supersonic fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
The IAF still has about 120 MiG-21s in service
which will all be phased out of service by 2021-22.
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