Explainer | End of an Era: India Retires MiG-21, the ‘Workhorse’ That Defined IAF for 60 Years

After more than six decades of service, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to retire the last of its MiG-21 fighter jets. This aircraft, once regarded as the backbone of Indian airpower, later faced criticism for its poor safety record.

The official farewell for the MiG-21 Bison squadron, known as the “Panthers,” will take place on September 19 at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, marking the end of the MiG-21’s operational career in India.

The retirement of the MiG-21 not only concludes a significant chapter in Indian military aviation but also reduces the IAF’s fighter strength to its lowest level in over sixty years.

Why Is the MiG-21 Being Retired?

The MiG-21, introduced in 1963, was India’s first supersonic fighter jet. Purchased from the Soviet Union, it was later produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Over time, India operated more than 850 MiG-21s, including various variants such as Type 77, Type 96, MiG-21 Bis, and the upgraded MiG-21 Bison.

Initially, the MiG-21 was admired for its speed, agility, and reliability. However, it gradually became outdated due to limited avionics and a high crash rate, particularly in recent decades. It led to it earning the unfortunate nickname “Flying Coffin.” Over 400 crashes have been linked to this aircraft, resulting in the loss of more than 200 pilots, many of whom were young officers during training.

Despite these issues, delays in acquiring replacement aircraft meant that the MiG-21’s service life was repeatedly extended, far beyond its expected timeline.

What Does This Retirement Mean for the IAF?

The decommissioning of aircraft will reduce the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational fighter squadrons to 29, which is significantly below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons needed to effectively respond to potential conflicts with China and Pakistan on two fronts. This reduction marks the lowest squadron strength since the 1960s, during which India fought the 1965 war with Pakistan, operating with 32 squadrons.

The IAF plans to replace the MiG-21 with the indigenously built HAL Tejas Mk-1A. However, production delays have hindered this transition. While the IAF has ordered 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, the first deliveries are not expected until late 2025, which puts added pressure on the IAF’s frontline readiness in the meantime.

A Legacy of War and Transformation

Despite its controversial safety record, the MiG-21 was a formidable force in its early decades and played a vital role in multiple wars:

• 1965 War: Limited role but introduced the IAF to supersonic combat.
• 1971 War: Proved decisive; MiG-21s bombed critical enemy infrastructure, including the Governor’s House in Dhaka, accelerating Pakistan’s surrender.
• Kargil Conflict (1999): Deployed for air patrols and ground support.
• Balakot aftermath (2019): MiG-21 Bison shot down a Pakistani F-16, a moment that shocked global observers and reaffirmed the aircraft’s combat worthiness even in its final years.

This history has made the MiG-21 more than just a fighter jet. As one veteran pilot put it, “It wasn’t just a machine, it was a rite of passage for Indian fighter pilots.”

Why Was It Called the ‘Flying Coffin’?

The MiG-21 had an impressive combat record, but its single-engine design, limited visibility, and outdated ejection system resulted in a high accident rate, particularly during the final years of the Bison variant. As the airframes aged, mechanical failures became more common, often occurring during routine flights and training missions.

Between the early 1990s and the 2000s, there was a notable increase in crash reports, which ignited nationwide discussions about flight safety and pilot training. From 1993 to 2013, 198 crashes resulted in the deaths of 151 pilots. For many, the term “Flying Coffin” became a chilling reminder of the dangers associated with delayed modernisation in aviation.

What Comes Next?

The MiG-21’s exit clears the runway for a new generation of Indian fighters:

• Tejas Mk-1A: Indigenous single-engine multirole fighter jets designed to eventually replace the MiG series.
• MRFA Project: India is pursuing a global tender for 114 medium multi-role fighters from foreign vendors like Dassault (Rafale), Boeing (F-15EX), Saab (Gripen), and others.
• AMCA Program: A 5th-generation stealth fighter under development by DRDO and HAL.

However, none of these projects are expected to be completed or fielded in large numbers before the end of the decade, raising concerns about a capability gap in the short term.

Honouring a Fighter That Defined Generations

The IAF has planned a grand farewell for the MiG-21, including static displays, ceremonial flypasts, and the participation of veterans who flew and maintained the aircraft. It will be both a moment of celebration and reflection — a salute to a jet that shaped Indian aerial warfare and trained generations of pilots.

“No other fighter has served as long, or so deeply influenced the IAF’s institutional memory,” said a retired Air Marshal. “Its departure is overdue — but still bittersweet.”

Final Sortie

As the MiG-21 flies off into history, it leaves behind a complex but undeniable legacy — of triumph in war, resilience in service, and tragedy in peace. Few machines have defined the fortunes of a nation’s air force the way the MiG-21 did. With its departure, India turns a page, but not without acknowledging the chapter that made the IAF what it is today.

Team BharatShakti