A supersonic legend for 6 decades: Indian Air Force sets date for MiG-21 retirement
July 22, 2025
On 19 September, the Indian Air Force will formally retire its last MiG-21 fighter jet, closing the curtain on a legacy that helped shape the nation’s aerial combat history.
With a final ceremonial sortie by No. 23 Squadron, the Panthers, from the Chandigarh airbase in northern India, the journey of India’s first supersonic jet will come to a reflective and significant close.
The Indian Air Force and the MiG-21
The MiG-21, developed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the former Soviet Union, first flew 70 years ago in 1955.
It was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1963, becoming the nation’s first supersonic fighter and its first non-Western combat aircraft.
That induction marked a decisive shift in India’s military aviation strategy and a deepening defence relationship with the Soviet Union.
India would go on to become the largest operator of the MiG-21 outside the USSR, with more than 850 aircraft acquired and nearly 600 manufactured under licence by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
For decades, the aircraft formed the backbone of India’s tactical airpower and laid the foundation for its indigenous aerospace ambitions.
The MiG-21 participated in all of India’s major military operations, including the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the Kargil conflict of 1999, and the 2019 Balakot air strikes on terror camps. In the 1971 war, MiG-21s helped the IAF secure crucial air superiority, flying numerous missions in both offensive and defensive roles.
The MiG‑21’s original powerplant, the Tumansky R‑25, was remarkably capable for its era. It enabled the aircraft to exceed Mach 2 while relying on a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet.
Known by its NATO reporting name “Fishbed”, the aircraft’s role in shaping India’s air dominance cannot be understated. As the IAF’s first supersonic fighter, it symbolised a leap in capability, introducing Indian pilots to high-speed, high-altitude air combat.
Keeping the MiG-21 relevant as the years go on
In 1976, the IAF inducted the MiG-21bis, a third-generation variant designed for multi-role air superiority and ground attack.
This version, regarded as the definitive tailed-delta fighter design, replaced the older “M” subtype. The MiG-21bis assumed the role of India’s prime air defence fighter, equipping squadrons 15, 21, and 23, which had previously flown the Gnat light fighter.
The MiG-21 Bison, the final and most advanced variant in Indian service, saw considerable upgrades in radar, avionics, and weapons systems.
Equipped with helmet-mounted sights and R-73 air-to-air missiles, the Bison proved to be a capable dogfighter. During the 2004 Cope India exercise, Bison jets reportedly outperformed US F-15s in close combat, a reminder of the MiG-21’s agility when flown by well-trained pilots.
Upon completion of the upgrade programme, initially known as MiG‑21 UPG and later designated MiG‑21 Bison squadrons equipped with Type‑88 and MiG‑21‑93 aircraft adopted the nickname “Bison”.
Ageing MiG-21s became the ‘flying coffin’ of the Indian Air Force
Despite its historic value, the MiG-21 grew increasingly outdated. Its long service life extended far beyond what was originally intended, and came at a human and operational cost.
At least 400 crashes have been recorded, resulting in the deaths of over 200 pilots and more than 60 civilians.
Concerns over ageing airframes, quality of spare parts, and outdated systems led to the aircraft earning grim monikers such as the ‘Flying Coffin’ and ‘Widow Maker.’
“Phasing out of aircraft and their replacement with new generation aircraft depends upon national security, strategic objectives and operational requirements of the defence forces and is reviewed by the government from time to time,” a Defence Ministry official tells AGN. “This is a continuous process.”
In Europe, the last MiG-21 retired in 2024, as Croatia stood down its final Fishbeds. In India, however, the MiG has remained in service due to delays in the induction of modern alternatives like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
The IAF was compelled to extend the life of these aircraft through regular overhauls and mid-life upgrades, a decision driven more by necessity than preference.
This retirement marks more than the end of a storied aircraft. It reflects the Indian Air Force’s commitment to modernisation and national security. With the introduction of advanced platforms like the Tejas, Rafale, and the continued service of Su-30MKI fighters, the IAF is actively working to rejuvenate its combat fleet.
While the Indian Air Force continues to face a shortfall in squadron strength with around 31 squadrons against an authorised strength of 42, the phasing out of the MiG-21 is seen as an essential step toward long-term safety and capability enhancement.
The IAF retirement of the MiG-21 will be an emotional send-off
For countless Indian pilots, engineers, and airmen, the MiG-21 was more than just a jet. It was the cockpit where they trained, fought, and sometimes fell. It was a platform that taught India the dynamics of supersonic flight and stood guard over the nation for more than 60 years.
As the final MiG-21 lifts off this September, it will not merely mark the end of an aircraft’s service. It will honour the sacrifices of those who flew and maintained it, and acknowledge its role in shaping the Indian Air Force.
A chapter will close, not with fanfare, but with reverence, reflection, and quiet pride.
