Mangaluru: National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, on Tuesday unveiled a retired MiG-21 aircraft installed in front of Main Building on its campus.Air Marshal (retd) BU Chengappa said the aircraft was a twin-seater trainer variant featuring tandem cockpits. Powered by an R-13 turbojet engine, its delta wings provided manoeuvrability and stability for training Air Force pilots. It could also carry an external gun pod and bombs on underwing pylons.The aircraft remained in active service with Indian Air Force (IAF) until Sept 2025 and was among more than 100 trainers acquired and operated by the force, he said.Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said more youngsters from the district were showing interest in serving in armed forces. He said the installation should encourage students to embrace the spirit of service and excellence represented by the aircraft.MM Murugappan, chairman of Board of Governors, NITK Surathkal, said the installation would inspire future generations and highlight the discipline, values and purpose needed to build a stronger nation.MiG-21, a supersonic fighter and interceptor developed in the 1950s, was inducted into IAF in 1963. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd began manufacturing it at Nashik in 1966 under licence from Soviet Design Bureau. It served IAF during the 1965, 1971 and 1999 wars before its final ceremonial flight in Sept 2025.Srinivasa Rao Kola, in-charge of NITK Academy for Defence, Adventure and Leadership, said NITK requested a retired aircraft from IAF in Dec 2023. IAF allotted it in Jan 2026, and its components reached the campus in July. An IAF team assembled it in Aug and guided its installation in Sept 2026.
