The Indian Air Force has decided to retire the iconic fighter jet MiG-21 by September. The decision may not have come as a surprise. After decades of service, the MiG-21 has drawn scrutiny in recent years over safety concerns.
Reports claimed that the MiG-21’s general operational life came into sharp focus, following numerous crashes. Two years ago, a MiG-21 crashed near Bahlol Nagar in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh after taking off from the Suratgarh Air Force base. It was just a routine exercise. But the crash, attributed to a technical glitch, killed three villagers.
Experts believe the decision was not surprising given the aircraft’s frequent mishaps.
There have been strong questions around the MiG-21’s safety record — aging airframes, poor-quality replacement parts and maintenance challenges were the other prominent concerns.
Public engagement on the issue deepened in 2006 following the film Rang De Basanti’s release. It brought the concerns into popular consciousness through its portrayal of a MiG-21 crash and the death of a young pilot.
Yet, its rise in stature is a story to be handed down to generations. The MiG-21 was tried out as a trial in 1963. Over the years, the MiG-21 rose in stature not just as a fighter jet. It became India’s steadfast guardian. This aircraft served as a symbol of bravery and tenacity during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the rocky heights of the Kargil battle in 1999, and finally the Balakot attacks in 2019.
It served as the cornerstone of India’s air defense for many years, bearing the burden of the country’s aspirations and anxieties.
Media reports highlighted its heyday. The IAF operated nearly 900 MiG-21s. Around 660 were built domestically. Over time, the fleet was upgraded.
The final variant, the Bison, had more sophisticated avionics, navigation, and communications systems.
The mid-2000s called for a change.
Newer aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI had more relevance.
We may recall that the Air Force announced in July 2022 that the four surviving MiG-21 squadrons would be phased out over a three-year period. The MiG-29s would also be retired by 2027, according to the proposal. Only 36 MiG-21s are currently in active service.
The last operational MiG-21s belong to the 23 Squadron, known as the Panthers. According to reports, a farewell ceremony will be held on September 19 at the Chandigarh airbase to mark their retirement. A similar tribute took place in October 2023, when aircraft from the No. 4 Squadron flew their final sortie over Barmer in Rajasthan — a “farewell and thank you for the memories” moment shared with their successors, the Russian-made Sukhois.
The Tejas Mk1A, a more recent, quicker, and more nimble fighter jet created in India for contemporary combat requirements, will take the place of the MiG-21 as it leaves the stage. Built on the heritage of a fighter that characterised generations of Indian air force, the Tejas marks a new era for the IAF.
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