World’s Most Produced Supersonic Fighter Jet, MiG-21

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, also known as Fishbed, is one of the greatest aircraft of all time, which was used by over 60 countries. The aircraft remained in the longest production right from 1959 till 1985, making it the single most-produced supersonic fighter in history and over 11,000 aircraft were produced.

Today even after 59 years of service, MiG21 continues to fly with the Indian Air Force, sharing the sky with most modern fighters like the F-15, F-16, MiG29 or the Mirage2000.

Initially, this delta wing design was chosen to produce a simple, lightweight, reliable and most affordable Mach 2 supersonic fighter for the fastest interception of fighter-bombers. Later as the aircraft design proved, it was extensively exploited for every possible role which included air defence, ground attack, close air support, photo recce and lead-in fighter training.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had the privilege of producing nearly 575 fighters which changed the technological and manufacturing capabilities in the Indian aviation sector.

In the year 1963, six MiG21s were inducted in No. 28 Sqn, the “First Supersonics”.

The MiG21 right from the 1971 Indo-Pakistan conflict to Kargil War made numerous headlines as it shot down the F-86 Sabre jet, F-104 Starfighters and later a Pakistan Navy Atlantique aircraft on 10 Aug 1999.

No doubt, MiG21 also remained in news due to various crashes and the most important facts as the cause of accidents, will be known shortly as we see this video. Once upon a time, MiG21 aircraft were the backbone of the IAF and to replace them all was an unthinkable task.

Once again after a few decades, on 27 Feb 2019, MiG21 shot down a Pakistani F-16. The world was surprised to digest if this was true and even the top military experts forgot to note that this MiG21 Bison was the son of MiG21 Bis equipped with BVR missiles and modern avionics. More importantly, this Mig21 Bison was flown by a 21st-century Indian air force pilot, Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman.

Ladies and gentlemen, today you are going to meet the father of MiG21 aircraft, Air Cmde Surendra Singh Tyagi, VM who undertook a total of 6315 sorties and flew over four thousand flying hours (4003:45) which is the highest in the world. He has the distinction of holding various important assignments apart from training a large number of military pilots.

He is the pilot who after bombing the Dacca airfield during the 1971 war, made a victory loop knowing well about the threat by the surface to air missiles.

So let’s hear Air Cmde SS Tyagi and see what he has to say on the most Iconic Fighter jet of the Indian Air Force.

Jai Hind!

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