Core Points - The Indian Air Force officially retired its MiG-21 aircraft after 62 years of service, marking the end of an era for this fighter jet series [1][11] - The retirement ceremony took place in Chandigarh, with the last two squadrons, the 23rd "Black Panther" and the 3rd "Cobra," decommissioning a total of 36 MiG-21 Bison aircraft [1][11] - The event included a live broadcast, aerial displays, and the unveiling of commemorative items by the Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh [1][11][13] Summary by Sections Retirement Ceremony - The ceremony featured the last flight of six MiG-21 Bison aircraft, with one piloted by the Chief of Air Staff, General Amar Preet Singh [3][5] - A water salute was given by fire trucks to welcome the returning aircraft [5] - Other aircraft, including the "Tigre" attack aircraft and LCA "Tejas," participated in the aerial display [6][7] Historical Context - The MiG-21 was introduced to the Indian Air Force in 1963 to counter U.S. U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, with the first batch of 13 MiG-21F-13 delivered [13][15] - Over the years, the Indian Air Force operated various sub-series of the MiG-21, with a total of over 870 units, including more than 600 locally assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) [15][17] Upgrades and Capabilities - In 2001, 125 MiG-21 Bis aircraft were upgraded to the MiG-21 Bison standard, enhancing their combat capabilities with modern avionics and weapon systems [17] - The MiG-21 Bison became the only variant with active radar beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat capability [17] Current Implications - Following the retirement of the MiG-21s, the number of operational squadrons in the Indian Air Force will decrease to 29, significantly below the planned requirement of 42 squadrons due to a lack of new aircraft [17]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses India's strategic military developments in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, emphasizing its significance in countering China's influence in the Indian Ocean region and the broader geopolitical implications of these actions. Group 1: Military Developments - In July 2020, India deployed 10 "Tigershark" attack aircraft armed with anti-ship missiles to an airbase in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the India-China standoff in the Galwan Valley [1] - In November 2020, the Indian military conducted a test launch of a land-based BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile with a range of 450 kilometers, signaling a clear deterrent message [3] - The Modi government has significantly increased military presence and infrastructure in the islands since 2014, aiming to transform the region into a strategic maritime security hub [25][26] Group 2: Geopolitical Context - The Andaman and Nicobar Islands control several critical maritime routes, making them strategically important for both India and China [6][7] - Indian media has linked the border disputes with China's "Malacca Dilemma," suggesting that the islands can control four out of five alternative routes for China to access the Indian Ocean [4][38] - The region is viewed as a key area for India to assert dominance in the Bay of Bengal, which is seen as the first stop for China’s access to the Indian Ocean [34] Group 3: International Relations - The United States has shown interest in enhancing cooperation with India in the Southeast Asian region, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as it lacks reliable military bases in the Bay of Bengal [36] - A report from the RAND Corporation highlighted the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for future US-India collaboration in Southeast Asia [37] - The article notes that if India deploys long-range offensive weapons in the islands, it could threaten the safety of vessels passing through the Malacca Strait, potentially escalating security tensions with China [37]