IAF operates four variants of the MiG family. The IAF has been using MiG-21 since 1963 and a large number of them are still serving with a series of upgrades. In last few years, frequent crashes have chequered MiG-21's glorious history and service in the IAF. The force is in slowly phasing out the last of its variant, the MiG-21 Bis, from its inventory.

The 40 variable-sweep attack MiG-27 fighters have a maximum speed of Mach 1.7. It carries one GSh-6-30 six-barreled 30 mm cannons, 4,000 kg of general-purpose ordnance, SPPU-22 and SPPU-6 gun pods, and various guided air-to-surface missiles.

The upgraded avionics system include an automatic flight control system, an angle of attack indicator, a radio altimeter, navigation and attack system, a rangefinder and a bullet shaped antennae above each pylon associated with missile guidance. The stub-shaped nose has an in-built laser guidance system for accurate bombing. MIG-27's are identified by their call sign, Bahadur (Brave), and have undergone a successful upgrade programme.

India also has a fleet of 67 MiG-29 multi-role fighters that are being refurbished for $888 million (about Rs 4,192 crore) by the Russian company RSK-MiG. Once the process is complete the MiG-29s will remain in service for another 10-15 years.

The MiG-29 fighter is equipped with a 30 mm cannon along with R-60 & R-27 R medium range radar guided missiles. The upgrade programme includes fitting the jets with upgraded weapons and a new avionics suite, with the old N-019 radar being replaced by the Phazatron Zhuk-M radar. The MiG-29s will also be upgraded for mid-air refuelling to increase their endurance.

IAF has plans to replace MIG-21 with indigenously-built HAL Tejas, starting 2010 as MIG-21's are posing maintenance issues.