Zero
Indian Navy military aircraft horrible outdated.
India sent the old MiG-21 to intercept more modern F-16 / Flickr/Stefan Gawlista

During a recent air battle over the Kashmir air force India sent an old MiG-21 to intercept the more modern Pakistani F-16 fighter jets.

In new Delhi believe that in this decision there is nothing wrong. However, the fact is India did not have much choice, writes the National Interest. The newspaper reminds that on February 26 the Indian planes crossed the border from Pakistan and attacked by what the Indian side has called a training camp of terrorists near Balakot. The next day the Pakistani F-16 and other aircraft crossed the Indian line of control. In new Delhi claim that they tried to bombard the Indian military.

Read techiewife Insider: Nuclear war between India and Pakistan would undermine the climate of the Earth and cause world hunger

Indian MiG-21 and other fighter jets took to the skies to intercept and shoot down one of the Pakistani aircraft. In Pakistan claim that the battle ended with the destruction of two Indian MiG-21. Although new Delhi has missed only one. The Indian pilot was captured of Pakistan, where he stayed for two days before returning to his native country.

The publication notes that the Indian MiG-21 has been seriously upgraded. But they are still more than 30 years. Pakistani F-16s, which the Indians could shoot down, was a modification of the Block 52D. Islamabad bought these planes from the United States in 2005.

“MiG-21 in our Arsenal. Why do we not use them?”, – said the commander of the Indian Navy Marshal Birender sing Dhanoa, answering the question about air combat.

It is worth noting that in the 90 years India has updated their old MiG-21 to the standard “Buffalo”, to equip them with Western aircraft electronics, new radar and making them compatible with modern types of weapons.

“They are armed with the best systems of fire, the best missiles, air-to-air”, – said Dhanoa.

But the main reason why India sent the MiG-21 to fight against the F-16 that such aircraft in its military fleet, just most. Of course, in a dogfight, which killed as Indian and Pakistani fighters, took part of the formation, formed from the old and new models of aircraft. From the Indian side except for the two MiG-21 in the battle to take the four su-30 and two upgraded Mirage 2000. In Pakistan’s formation was eight F-16s and four Mirage III and four Chinese JF-17.

Read такжеNDTV: In the air battle between India and Pakistan agreed, the su-30 and F-16

India for many years tries to upgrade its large fleet of outdated Russian aircraft. As of 2018, the country’s air force was armed with 244 MiG-21, released in the 1960-ies. In addition, in the Indian Arsenal also have only 84 Nena a lot younger MiG-27. The publication notes that the MiG-21 is especially prone to accidents. 874 of these fighters, which were put into service India since 1963, about 490 crashed. Killed 200 pilots.

New Delhi wants to spend $ 18 billion for the construction of 115 new fighter that would replace the old Russian planes. These new combat vehicles will fly side by side with the European Jaguars, French Mirage 2000 and Rafale, the Russian MiG-29 and su-30, as well as “native” Indian fighters Teja. Who will build for India 115 aircraft, is not yet known. Actually, to order, expect a number of companies. Lockheed Martin offers new Delhi an updated version of the F-16, which the manufacturer calls “F-21”. Boeing wants to sell its F/A-18E/F, France offers Rafale. Also discusses the European fighter Typhoon, Swedish Gripen and Russian MiG-35 and su-35. Indian companies want to gather some of these aircraft under license from the original developer.

Read takute Atlantic: the Conflict between India and Pakistan, explains why North Korea will not give up nuclear weapons

At the same time, Russia wants to sell India the pack for the su-30 to the version of the su-30CM. It includes a number of systems developed for the latest su-35. But the complexity of the procurement process, most likely, will make new Delhi even many years to use mixed forces of old and new fighters. Of course, there is no reason to believe that the mixed formation will not be effective in battle. In the end, the old MiG-21 can be hazardous under certain conditions.

And not always more modern systems guarantee victory. Success depends on a number of factors such as pilot skills, support from other forces, ground-based radars and the like.