Indian Air Force To Retire MiG-21 Fighter Jet Fleet In September

Currently, 36 MiG-21 aircraft remain active, a dramatic reduction from the original fleet of nearly 900 aircraft, of which approximately 660 were manufactured domestically.

The Bison, the final and most upgraded version of the MiG-21, featured improved avionics, navigation, and communication systems.

Source : ANI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to retire its ageing MiG-21 fighter jets in September, marking the end of an era for the iconic aircraft that has served the force for decades.

Often referred to as the IAF’s longest-serving combat aircraft, the MiG-21 has been in service since the 1960s and has played a crucial role in multiple military operations. The ageing fleet will make way for the indigenous Tejas Mk1A jets, which are set to take over their role in the IAF’s combat arsenal, reported NDTV.

Currently, 36 MiG-21 aircraft remain active, a dramatic reduction from the original fleet of nearly 900 aircraft, of which approximately 660 were manufactured domestically.

Introduced into Indian service in 1963, the Soviet-origin aircraft was initially inducted on a trial basis but went on to form the backbone of the Air Force for several decades. It remained a critical component of India's air defence strategy until the mid-2000s, after which newer models like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI began to dominate the skies.

The Bison, the final and most upgraded version of the MiG-21, featured improved avionics, navigation, and communication systems. These jets will now be formally retired after decades of service.

#WATCH | Marking the end of an era, the MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft of the No 4 squadron of the Indian Air Force flew for the last time over the Uttarlai town in Barmer, Rajasthan. On this occasion, the MiG-21 Bison flew alongside the Su-30 MKI. pic.twitter.com/2lyRgcEDZj

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2023

A Legacy of Combat and Controversy

In October 2023, aircraft from the No. 4 Squadron conducted a final ceremonial flypast over Barmer, Rajasthan. This symbolic farewell coincided with the handover of regional defence responsibilities to Sukhoi fighters.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, during his tenure, had stated: “We will stop flying the MiG-21 fighter aircraft by 2025 and will replace them with the LCA Mark-1A.”

The IAF had earlier committed to a three-year plan to phase out the four squadrons that still operated the MiG-21. Additionally, the MiG-29 fleet is expected to be retired by 2027.

The retirement of the MiG-21 comes after repeated concerns over its safety record. In one of the most recent incidents in May 2023, a MiG-21 aircraft crashed during a routine sortie after taking off from Suratgarh Air Force Base. The aircraft went down near Bahlol Nagar in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district, killing three civilians on the ground. The entire MiG-21 fleet was grounded following the accident.

Notably, the Srinagar-based No. 51 Squadron—one of the earliest to be decommissioned—played a pivotal role during the 1999 Kargil conflict under Operation Safed Sagar and responded to Pakistani action in February 2019. Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who famously downed a Pakistani jet before being captured across the border, belonged to this squadron.

India Eyes Fifth-Generation Capabilities

In parallel with the MiG-21's retirement, India is advancing its defence capabilities with the development of a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project will feature a single-seat, twin-engine configuration with stealth technology and internal weapons bays. Estimated to cost over Rs 15,000 crore, the project is being spearheaded by Bengaluru’s Aeronautical Development Agency.

Once operational, the AMCA will position India among a select group of nations—currently only three—that possess such next-generation air combat capabilities.