For nearly 60 years, the MiG-21 was the backbone of the IAF, with over 900 aircraft inducted. Almost every IAF fighter pilot since the 1960s has trained on the MiG-21 before moving to other fighters.
This will reduce the IAF's combat strength to 28 fighter squadrons, just two-third of the 42 squadrons it is authorised to fight a two-front war against Pakistan and China together
