<p>The Indian Air Force (IAF) has temporarily grounded its fleet of around 50 MiG-21 fighter aircraft following the <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/national/three-civilians-dead-after-iafs-mig-21-fighter-aircraft-crashes-in-rajasthan-pilot-safe-1216768.html" target="_blank">crash of one of the jets in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh nearly two weeks ago</a>, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.</p>.<p>Three persons were killed after the MiG-21 aircraft crashed into a house in Hanumangarh shortly after it took off for a routine training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh on May 8.</p>.<p>The people cited above said all the MiG-21 aircraft are currently undergoing technical evaluation and checks, adding they will be allowed to fly only after clearance by the teams concerned carrying out the scrutiny.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/navy-to-receive-insv-tarini-on-may-23-after-her-17000-nm-voyage-1220527.html" target="_blank">Navy to receive INSV Tarini on May 23 after her 17,000-nm voyage</a></strong></p>.<p>The crash of the jet had again put the spotlight on the ageing fleet of Soviet-origin aircraft which were involved in around 400 accidents since their first induction in the early 1960s.</p>.<p>The MiG-21s used to be the mainstay of the IAF for a long period of time. After the first induction, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess.</p>.<p>However, the aircraft has a very poor safety record.</p>.<p>According to official data, MiG-21s were involved in 400 crashes in the last six decades.</p>.<p>At present, the IAF has three MiG-21 squadrons with a total of around 50 aircraft, according to officials.</p>.<p>The IAF last year finalised a timeline of three years to phase out the remaining MiG-21 fighter squadrons.</p>.<p>The IAF also plans to start the phasing out of the three squadrons of Mig-29 fighter jets in the next five years.</p>.<p>As part of the IAF's modernisation plan, the defence ministry in February 2021 sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 83 Tejas jets.</p>.<p>The IAF has already procured 36 Rafale jets to enhance its combat capabilities.</p>.<p>It is also in the process of acquiring 114 Medium Role Fighter Aircraft.</p>
<p>The Indian Air Force (IAF) has temporarily grounded its fleet of around 50 MiG-21 fighter aircraft following the <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/national/three-civilians-dead-after-iafs-mig-21-fighter-aircraft-crashes-in-rajasthan-pilot-safe-1216768.html" target="_blank">crash of one of the jets in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh nearly two weeks ago</a>, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.</p>.<p>Three persons were killed after the MiG-21 aircraft crashed into a house in Hanumangarh shortly after it took off for a routine training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh on May 8.</p>.<p>The people cited above said all the MiG-21 aircraft are currently undergoing technical evaluation and checks, adding they will be allowed to fly only after clearance by the teams concerned carrying out the scrutiny.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/navy-to-receive-insv-tarini-on-may-23-after-her-17000-nm-voyage-1220527.html" target="_blank">Navy to receive INSV Tarini on May 23 after her 17,000-nm voyage</a></strong></p>.<p>The crash of the jet had again put the spotlight on the ageing fleet of Soviet-origin aircraft which were involved in around 400 accidents since their first induction in the early 1960s.</p>.<p>The MiG-21s used to be the mainstay of the IAF for a long period of time. After the first induction, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess.</p>.<p>However, the aircraft has a very poor safety record.</p>.<p>According to official data, MiG-21s were involved in 400 crashes in the last six decades.</p>.<p>At present, the IAF has three MiG-21 squadrons with a total of around 50 aircraft, according to officials.</p>.<p>The IAF last year finalised a timeline of three years to phase out the remaining MiG-21 fighter squadrons.</p>.<p>The IAF also plans to start the phasing out of the three squadrons of Mig-29 fighter jets in the next five years.</p>.<p>As part of the IAF's modernisation plan, the defence ministry in February 2021 sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 83 Tejas jets.</p>.<p>The IAF has already procured 36 Rafale jets to enhance its combat capabilities.</p>.<p>It is also in the process of acquiring 114 Medium Role Fighter Aircraft.</p>