The iconic MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been the mainstay of India's aerial defence for more than 60 years, are scheduled to be retired from active service by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September 2025. The introduction of the indigenous and more sophisticated Tejas Mk1A fighter jets will be made possible by the phase-out.
At present, the IAF has 36 MiG-21 aircraft remaining in its fleet—a stark contrast to the nearly 900 that were once operational. Of these, approximately 660 were manufactured under license in India. These jets played a pivotal role in safeguarding Indian airspace and responding to external threats for generations.
In 1963, the MiG-21 was first deployed on a trial basis. Created and manufactured in the Soviet Union, it swiftly established itself as the IAF's mainstay during the 1970s and 1980s, holding sway until the mid-2000s, when the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters arrived. The MiG-21 Bison, the last version to serve India, had improved communication systems, navigation aids, and avionics that enabled it to function in more contemporary combat situations.
One of the most symbolic farewells occurred in October 2023, when MiG-21 aircraft from the No. 4 Squadron performed a final flypast over Barmer in Rajasthan. The event was both a sendoff for the legendary fighter and a salute to the new aircraft assuming its role in the region, including the Russian-origin Sukhois.
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Then-Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari had stated, “We will stop flying the MiG-21 fighter aircraft by 2025 and will replace them with the LCA Mark-1A,” emphasising the IAF’s transition to a newer fleet. The IAF announced in July 2022 that it would retire the final four MiG-21 squadrons over a three-year period. The MiG-29s will be phased out by 2027, according to the roadmap.
The decision was made in response to safety concerns raised by a string of crashes involving the ageing MiG-21 fleet. In May 2023, a MiG-21 carrying out a routine mission from the Suratgarh Air Force Base crashed close to Bahlol Nagar in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, killing three civilians on the ground. This was a particularly tragic event. The entire fleet of MiG-21 aircraft was grounded for inspection after the crash, which was ascribed to a technical glitch.
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The No. 51 Squadron, based in Srinagar, is one of the prominent squadrons that has already been retired. Following the Balakot airstrikes against terror camps, this unit was crucial to the 2019 aerial engagement with Pakistan and to Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil War in 1999. This squadron included Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was a Wing Commander at the time and is renowned for having shot down a Pakistani F-16 before being captured and subsequently returned.
Looking ahead, India is focusing on building a new generation of air superiority. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is presently being developed in the nation. Advanced stealth technology, such as internal weapons bays and radar-absorbing coatings, will be incorporated into this single-seat, twin-engine multirole jet.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), based in Bengaluru, is largely responsible for designing and building the AMCA, which is anticipated to cost more than 15,000 crore and put India in the elite group of countries with such advanced fighter capabilities, which are currently only available to the US, Russia, and China. The MiG-21 leaves a legacy of bravery, ingenuity, and decades of devoted service to India's defence as it gets ready for its last flight.
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