After serving the nation for over 60 years and participating in every major Indian military conflict, the iconic MiG-21 fighter jet is finally preparing for its last flight.
The Indian Air Force is set to retire the iconic Russian-made fighter jet MiG-21 after 62 years.
A ceremonial farewell is scheduled for September 19 at the Chandigarh airbase, where the aircraft, currently part of the 23 Squadron—nicknamed the Panthers—will be formally retired.
Inducted in the Air Force in 1963, the MiG-21 participated in all major conflicts in India, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the Kargil War, the 2019 Balakot strikes, and Operation Sindoor.
Mig-21s will be replaced by indigenously developed and manufactured Tejas Mk1A.
MiG-21 (Mikoyan-Gurevich-21) has served India well for over 6 decades and has been a reliable asset during all these years.
The MiG-21 leaves behind a mixed legacy. It was India’s first supersonic fighter, offering a technological edge during the 1960s and 70s. However, frequent crashes in later years led to its grim nickname—the ‘Flying Coffin’.
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Its de-induction also marks a significant moment for the Indian Air Force, which will see its active combat squadrons drop to 29—the lowest number since the 1960s. Notably, during the 1965 war, the IAF had 32 combat squadrons.
