IAF to retire MiG-21 after 62 years of service; final farewell at Chandigarh Airbase on September 19
PTC Web Desk: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to officially retire its MiG-21 fighter jets on September 19, marking the end of an era after 62 years of service. A ceremonial farewell will be held at the Chandigarh Airbase, where the last remaining MiG-21 aircraft—currently part of the No. 23 Squadron, also known as the Panthers—will take their final flight.
Introduced in 1963, the MiG-21 was India’s first supersonic jet, capable of flying faster than the speed of sound (332 metre per second). Over the decades, the MiG-21 played a pivotal role in several key military operations, including the 1965 Indo-Pak War, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, 1999 Kargil War, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike.
At its peak, India had procured over 900 MiG-21s, including more than 660 assembled domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to reports, only 36 MiG-21s remain in the IAF fleet today. They will now be replaced by more advanced Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft, marking a generational shift in India's air defence capability.
Despite its long-standing service, the MiG-21 has been at the centre of controversy due to its high crash rate. As per data from the Ministry of Defence, over 400 MiG-21s have crashed, leading to the deaths of more than 200 pilots. This grim record has earned the aircraft nicknames such as the "Flying Coffin" and "Widow Maker".
MiG-21 crashes since 2021
January 5, 2021 – A MiG-21 crashed in Suratgarh, Rajasthan; pilot ejected safely.
March 17, 2021 – A MiG-21 Bison crashed near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, killing an IAF Group Captain.
May 20, 2021 – Another crash in Moga, Punjab resulted in the pilot's death.
August 25, 2021 – A MiG-21 crash in Barmer, Rajasthan, with the pilot surviving.
December 25, 2021 – A MiG-21 Bison crash again in Rajasthan, leading to the pilot’s death.
July 28, 2022 – A tragic crash in Barmer, Rajasthan claimed the lives of two pilots.
May 8, 2023 – A MiG-21 crashed in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, with the pilot surviving.
India has been the third-largest operator of the MiG-21, after Russia and China. The aircraft, originally built in the Soviet Union, was introduced to the Indian Air Force in 1964 as its first supersonic fighter. In the years that followed, India acquired licensing rights to assemble and upgrade the aircraft domestically.
While Russia discontinued production in 1985, India continued to fly upgraded variants well into the 21st century. With its decommissioning, the MiG-21 leaves behind a legacy of courage, controversy, and transformation in India's military aviation history.
- With inputs from agencies
