On September 26, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) closed a major chapter in its aviation history, bidding farewell to its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets in a ceremony rich with nostalgia and national pride at the Chandigarh Air Force Station. For more than six decades, these needle-nosed Soviet-era jets had been the backbone of India’s aerial defense, shaping generations of pilots and witnessing the nation’s most dramatic military moments. But as the final two squadrons—No. 23 (Panthers) and No. 3 (Cobras)—took to the skies for one last flypast, it was clear that the era of the MiG-21 had come to an end, making way for a new generation of aircraft and aviators.
The MiG-21’s journey with India began in 1963, when it was inducted as the country’s premier interceptor. Back then, these jets were considered among the world’s finest, and their arrival marked a leap in India’s defense capabilities. According to AP, India procured 872 MiG aircraft of various models between 1966 and 1980, making it the largest operator of the type globally. Over the years, the MiG-21 played pivotal roles in conflicts such as the 1965 India-Pakistan War, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and the 1999 Kargil conflict, earning a reputation for both its valor and its vulnerabilities.
Yet, the MiG-21’s legacy is complicated. Frequent crashes—attributed to both human error and technical defects—earned it the grim nickname “flying coffin.” According to official figures cited by AFP and India Today, over roughly 40 years, there were 482 MiG crashes, resulting in the deaths of at least 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel, and one aircrew member. More than 20 crashes occurred since 2010 alone. Despite a series of upgrades, including the ‘Bison’ variant that boasted modern avionics and advanced missiles, the aircraft’s single-engine design remained prone to sudden flameouts and failures, making emergency landings and ejections all too common.
As the jets soared above Chandigarh for their final sortie, the air was thick with emotion. The ceremony was attended by Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who paid tribute to the aircraft’s enduring service. “The MiG-21 has the distinction of being an aircraft which has trained generations of Indian fighter pilots. It was a joy to fly. It made me the fighter pilot I am today,” said Group Capt. Indranil Nandi, as reported by AP. Rajnath Singh added, “It has played all kinds of roles in these years and it isn’t without reason that it was known as a bird of all seasons. It has made us proud in every historic mission, so this is also a farewell to our collective memories.”
The MiG-21’s final flight was especially significant for another reason: it was led by Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, a woman fighter pilot, symbolizing the breaking of gender barriers in the IAF. Women were barred from flying fighters until 2016, but once given the chance, they proved their mettle on these very jets. Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi became the first woman to fly the MiG-21 solo in February 2018, followed by Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh Jitarwal. As India Today highlighted, these women “tamed the beast just like their male counterparts, shattering decades of doubts.” Today, at least 16 women serve as fighter pilots in India, many of whom began their careers in the cockpit of the MiG-21 Bison.
But as the MiG-21s retire, the IAF faces a new set of challenges. The decommissioning leaves the force with just 29 fighter squadrons, well short of the 42 squadrons previously endorsed by the government. Each squadron comprises 16-18 jets. With Pakistan fielding an estimated 20-25 squadrons and China more than 60, India’s shortfall is a cause for concern, especially given the regional tensions underscored by the four-day clash with Pakistan in May 2025—the worst standoff since 1999.
To address this, India is racing to modernize its fleet. The IAF currently operates French-made Rafales, Mirage 2000s, Russian Su-30MKIs, MiG-29s, and the indigenous Tejas. However, many older jets, including MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s, are set to be phased out by 2035. The focus is now on ramping up domestic production and forming new international partnerships. On September 25, 2025, the Defense Ministry inked a $7-billion deal to acquire 97 additional Tejas Mk1A jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), bringing the total Tejas order to 180 aircraft. These jets feature upgrades like AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suites, and integration of Derby and indigenous ASTRA missiles.
Yet, delays persist. The delivery of the first two Tejas Mk1A aircraft, expected in October 2025, has already been pushed back by two years due to engine procurement issues from the U.S. and challenges in weapons and radar integration. HAL plans to produce 16 Tejas fighters annually starting in 2026, but deliveries are now projected to extend into the mid-2030s. Meanwhile, negotiations for local co-production of F414 engines with GE Aerospace remain slow, and the much-anticipated Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—a fifth-generation stealth fighter—is still in development, with a prototype years away.
India is also exploring additional foreign procurement. The country signed a multi-billion-dollar deal in April 2025 to purchase 26 more Rafale jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, supplementing its existing fleet of 36. Talks are ongoing for another 114 Rafales, with the possibility of some being delivered immediately and others built locally in partnership with Indian firms. The United States, for its part, has expressed interest in supplying F-35 stealth fighters, but India remains noncommittal as it prioritizes indigenous production.
To shore up its defenses in the interim, India has also invested in advanced air defense systems, including the Russian S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile system and its own Akashteer system, both of which performed admirably during Operation Sindoor. Military strategists believe these systems are essential for maintaining combat readiness while the fighter fleet is replenished.
The MiG-21’s retirement is more than just the end of a machine—it’s the closing of a chapter that saw India’s air power rise, stumble, and adapt. As the jets disappeared into the sunset, they left behind a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and transformation. Their story, marked by both triumph and tragedy, has paved the way for a new era in Indian aviation—one that promises to be just as eventful, if not more so, as the country balances tradition, innovation, and the ever-present demands of national security.