Ageing MIG-21 Squadron At Srinagar To Be Phased Out Today

As part of the Indian Air Force’s plan to get rid of all of its Russian-made fighter jets by 2025, a squadron of old Mig-21 Bisons based in Srinagar will be phased out on Friday. IAF sources said that three more squadrons of Mig-21s would be needed for number plating.

The ‘Swordarms’ 51 Squadron was formed in Chandigarh on February 1, 1985, and was led by Wg Cdr VK Chawla. Fifteen months later, it moved to Srinagar.

In January 2004, the Squadron got Mig-21 Bison.

Over the past 38 years, the combat fighter jets have been a part of some very important missions. Squadron’s role in “Operation Safed Sagar” during the Kargil war in 1999 was the most important. The IAF said that offensive missions at Point 5140 and Tololling earned the 51 Squadron one Vayu Sena and three Mentions-in-Dispatches.

The 51 Squadron, also known as the “Guardians of Valley,” stopped flying Mig-21s on June 30 because so many fighter jets had crashed, making people question how safe they were.