The Indian Air Force (IAF) has long relied on Russian-made MiG fighters, such as the MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-27, which formed the backbone of its fleet for much of the late 20th century.
While initially viewed as cost-effective solutions to bolster India's air power, these aircraft ultimately impacted the IAF's squadron strength due to their faster-than-anticipated aging and operational limitations.
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The MiG-21, inducted in the 1960s, was lauded for its agility, ease of maintenance, and...