On September 26, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) closed a remarkable chapter in aviation history, bidding farewell to its last fleet of Mikoyan MiG-21 Bison fighters at Air Force Station Chandigarh. The day was marked by a lavish ceremony attended by top military brass, including India’s Defence Minister, and featured a final, thunderous flypast led by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh himself. For over six decades, the MiG-21—India’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor—formed the backbone of the IAF’s combat strength, soaring through both peacetime and conflict, and shaping the very character of the nation’s air power.
The MiG-21’s journey in India began in 1963, when the country became the first non-communist nation to operate the Soviet-designed jet. According to The Hindu, Indian pilots and technicians had trained in the Soviet Union in late 1962, and the first squadron, the “First Supersonics,” was established at Chandigarh the following March. The decision to opt for the MiG-21 over Western designs was, at the time, controversial. But as AFP and The War Zone report, it was shaped by strategic necessity: Pakistan’s air force had recently acquired the F-104 Starfighter, and India urgently needed a capable counter. The MiG-21, with its delta wing, Mach-2 speed, and promise of local license production, fit the bill perfectly. The deal also allowed India to pay in local currency, a significant economic advantage.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), newly established for the purpose, began producing MiG-21s under license in the 1960s. Over the decades, more than 600 aircraft were built in India, with successive variants—MiG-21F-13, MiG-21PF, MiG-21FL, MiG-21M, MiG-21MF, and MiG-21bis—rolling out of HAL’s factories. The MiG-21FL, in particular, was tailored to Indian requirements, boasting improved brakes, larger fuel tanks, and a new gunsight. By the late 1970s, the MiG-21 dominated the IAF, serving with 17 squadrons and becoming a fixture in the nation’s defense.
The MiG-21’s combat record is legendary. It first proved its mettle in the 1965 war against Pakistan, but it was during the 1971 conflict that the jet truly earned its stripes. As AFP recounts, the MiG-21 faced off against the F-104 Starfighter in four dogfights—and emerged victorious each time. The aircraft was equally crucial in subsequent crises with Pakistan, including skirmishes in 1999 and 2019, although some were lost in action. Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh, at the retirement ceremony, described the MiG-21s as “family members” of the IAF, reflecting on the “courage, sacrifice, and excellence” of the crews who flew them.
Technological evolution was a hallmark of the MiG-21’s Indian service. The 2000s saw the introduction of the MiG-21 Bison, an extensively upgraded variant co-produced by India, Russia, and Israel. According to The Hindu and The War Zone, the Bison featured a modern Kopyo radar, advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and the ability to launch Vympel R-77 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. Israeli-made Elbit EL/L8222 self-escort jamming pods and helmet-mounted sights gave IAF pilots a crucial edge in mock engagements, as demonstrated during the 2004 Cope India exercise, where Bisons reportedly outmaneuvered U.S. Air Force F-15C/Ds. These upgrades extended the MiG-21’s relevance well into the 21st century, a testament to both the original design’s versatility and India’s ingenuity.
Yet, the MiG-21’s legacy is not without blemish. The aircraft developed a reputation for a dubious safety record, with hundreds of crashes—many fatal—over the years. The War Zone notes that the MiG-21 fleet suffered approximately 26 accidents per 100,000 flight hours, a figure comparable to other aircraft of its generation, such as the F-104’s 30 accidents per 100,000 hours. Several factors contributed to this attrition: the MiG-21’s short range led to frequent takeoffs and landings (the riskiest phases of flight), and the jet was used extensively for training for more than a quarter-century, exposing it to higher risk. When measured per 100,000 flights, the accident rate drops to 15, and many IAF veterans argue that the aircraft’s reputation should not be defined solely by these losses. As one historian put it, “these losses will do little to tarnish the reputation of its first and longest-serving supersonic fighter, and one that played a unique role in the history of the country’s air force.”
The retirement ceremony at Chandigarh was more than just a military ritual—it was a national moment of reflection. The last unit flying the MiG-21, No. 23 Squadron “Panthers,” took part in the event, with Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh leading the final sortie. The ceremony was live-streamed across social media, drawing emotional tributes from veterans and aviation enthusiasts alike. For many Indians, the MiG-21 is not just a machine but a symbol of the country’s technological aspirations and resilience.
With India’s retirement of the MiG-21 after 62 years of service, the aircraft’s operational presence has dwindled worldwide. According to data from Cirium cited by The Hindu, only seven air forces now possess a combined total of 101 MiG-21s, with operational status uncertain. North Korea (26), Angola (23), and Yemen (19) are among the last significant operators, while Libya, Mali, Mozambique, and Sudan maintain smaller fleets. Eleven MiG-21s are preserved by private owners and museums, serving as reminders of a bygone era.
However, the MiG-21’s DNA lives on through the Chinese-built Chengdu J-7 and its export variant, the F-7. Together, these derivatives account for 695 aircraft still in service, with major users including Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, North Korea, and Pakistan. The MiG-21’s influence, therefore, continues to ripple across the skies of Asia and Africa, even as the original “Fishbed” takes its final bow in India.
Looking back, the MiG-21’s impact on Indian aviation cannot be overstated. Its selection over Western rivals set the stage for decades of Indo-Russian defense cooperation, while the experience gained in license production laid the groundwork for India’s own aerospace ambitions. The jet’s combat record, technological evolution, and cultural significance have secured its place as one of the most iconic aircraft in Indian—and global—military history.
As the last MiG-21s roared over Chandigarh one final time, they carried with them the memories of generations of pilots, engineers, and ground crew. Their departure marks not just the end of a legendary fighter’s service, but the closing of a chapter in India’s journey toward self-reliance and modern air power.