Explained: Why is the MiG-21 called a 'flying coffin'

The death of 2 Indian Air Force pilots in Rajasthan's Barmer during a training sortie has yet again brought the safety of the MiG-21 aircraft in question.

The Russian MiG-21s are India’s longest serving fighters jets with the first one being inducted in 1963. Over the years, the jet has been dubbed the flying coffin.

According to an India Today report, over 400 MiG-21 aircraft have crashed in last 60 years killing 200 pilots and 60 civilians.

According to an Indian Express report, there have been 6 crashes involving the Bison version of MiG-21 in the last 20 months. 5 pilots died in those crashes.

The Indian Express report also states that more than 170 pilots have lost their lives in MiG-21 crashes according to Defence Ministry data and more than 20 crashes have been reported since 2010. The report further adds that 38 MiG-21s crashed between 2003 and 2013.

Also watch: Two pilots of Indian Air Force killed in MiG-21 crash near Barmer

An India Today report quoted experts as saying that the number of Mig-21 crashes are high because they form the bulk of the Indian Air Force’s inventory.

The report also says that delays in induction of new fighter jets has led to the Indian Air Force keeping the MiG-21 in service for longer.

Currently, the Indian Air Force has 4 MiG-21 squadrons with around 70 jets and it plans to retire the Soviet-origin aircraft fleet by 2025. One of the squadrons will be phased out in September this year. The remaining three will be phased out over the next three years.