Current Affairs - International - Discussion

India is to gift three MiG-21 fighter jets to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin is to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi be in New Delhi on October 4 and 5 for the annual summit. The handing over of 3 MiG-21s is based on a request from Russian Defence Minister to Indian Defence Minister. The gifts comprise of one Type 75 aircraft and two Type 77 aircraft. This is a major symbolic gesture to showcase the all-weather friendship and deep strategic partnership between India and Russia, which has been put to test in recent times due to changing geopolitical conditions. About MiG-21: Design Group: Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the 1950s Type: Fighter and interceptor aircraft National Origin: Soviet Union MiG-21 is a product of the Soviet Union It made first flight in 1956 and entered service in 1959. From 1985, Russia stopped producing the aircraft while India continued operating the upgraded variants.