The Indian Air Force (IAF) bid farewell to its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets in late September 2025, closing a remarkable chapter in India’s aviation history and launching a new era of modernization and strategic recalibration. The retirement of the MiG-21, after 62 years of steadfast service, is more than a technical milestone—it’s a moment that stirs national pride, nostalgia, and a sense of urgency about the future of India’s aerial defense.
The MiG-21 was first inducted into the IAF in 1963, as reported by Times News Network and The Print. It was India’s first supersonic fighter jet, a technological marvel at the time, and quickly became a symbol of the country’s modernity, confidence, and self-reliance. The jet’s arrival marked India’s entry into the world of supersonic air combat, and its impact was felt almost immediately. During the 1965 war with Pakistan, the MiG-21 served as a formidable interceptor, and in the 1971 conflict, it played a decisive role. The audacious strike on Dhaka’s Governor’s House by MiG-21s hastened Pakistan’s surrender and the birth of Bangladesh, as chronicled by The Print.
Throughout its storied career, the MiG-21 became synonymous with the IAF’s fighting spirit. It was not just a machine of war but a foundation stone for India’s aerospace ambitions. The transfer of technology and licensed production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) helped shape the nation’s aviation industry, cementing Indo-Russian defense ties that remain crucial to this day. The MiG-21’s versatility was evident in later conflicts as well, including the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Balakot standoff, where a MiG-21 Bison famously downed a Pakistani F-16, underscoring both the jet’s enduring combat worthiness and the prowess of IAF pilots.
Yet, time waits for no legend. The MiG-21’s aging design, mounting maintenance challenges, and a safety record increasingly out of step with modern warfare made its retirement inevitable. As One World News notes, the last 36 MiG-21s were phased out in 2025, leaving a significant gap in the IAF’s operational squadrons—now at 29, well below the sanctioned strength of 42 needed to manage a potential two-front conflict. This shortfall has cast a spotlight on HAL and its urgent responsibility to deliver the next generation of indigenous fighter jets, the Tejas Mk1A.
The transition from the MiG-21 to the Tejas Mk1A is emblematic of India’s push for self-reliance and technological advancement. The Tejas Mk1A, developed by HAL, features advanced indigenous systems such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite, and improved control surface actuators. These upgrades are critical for maintaining parity with regional adversaries—especially as Pakistan maintains 25 fighter squadrons and is acquiring up to 40 J-35 fifth-generation jets from China, according to One World News.
However, the road to modernization has been anything but smooth. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh publicly criticized HAL at the Bengaluru Aero India Show in February 2025 for failing to deliver any of the 83 Tejas Mk1A jets promised under a Rs 47,000 crore contract signed in 2021. Deliveries were supposed to begin in 2024 and conclude by 2028, but as of September 2025, only two jets are expected to be delivered this year. Engine supply issues from GE Aerospace in the United States have caused significant delays, with only three engines delivered so far. Without engines, even completed airframes cannot take to the skies.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Indian government signed an additional contract with HAL for 97 more Tejas Mk1A jets, valued at Rs 66,500 crore. HAL now faces the daunting task of delivering a total of 180 jets, ramping up production lines to meet both existing and new commitments. The timely induction of these jets is not just about numbers—it’s about ensuring operational readiness and maintaining a credible deterrent posture in a neighborhood marked by frequent tensions and rapid military modernization.
The IAF’s current fleet relies heavily on the Su-30MKI, Rafales, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s, and Jaguars. But the Su-30MKI fleet, with over 270 aircraft, is also in need of a technological facelift. The earliest Su-30MKIs, inducted in the early 2000s, are now technologically dated. To address this, the IAF has outlined the "Super-30" upgrade program, aiming to modernize 84 of the oldest Su-30MKIs at an estimated cost of over ₹20,000 crore. These upgrades include the indigenous Uttam AESA radar, modern avionics, advanced electronic warfare suites, and the integration of next-generation weapons such as the BrahMos-NG supersonic cruise missile, Rudram anti-radiation missiles, and the Air LORA long-range ballistic missile, as detailed by Times News Network.
Yet, modernization is not just a technical or logistical challenge—it’s also a matter of perception and national narrative. Austrian aerial warfare analyst Tom Cooper, in a widely discussed social media post cited by The Print, criticized India’s military public relations compared to Pakistan’s. Cooper recounted how German military historian Holger Müller faced bureaucratic hurdles in attending the MiG-21 retirement ceremony, only receiving permission at the very last minute. Cooper contrasted this with Pakistan’s proactive approach, where foreign journalists are welcomed and given extensive access during military events. "If India—and especially the Indian Air Force—can’t do at least this much to improve its own PR in ‘the West’… Well, dear Indians: please, do not wonder any more if the Pakistanis—and British journos paid by Islamabad—have it easy to spread their fantasies," Cooper remarked. He argued that better PR is essential for shaping international perceptions and countering narratives, especially in the context of cross-border terrorism and regional rivalries.
The MiG-21’s retirement ceremony itself was not without controversy. Inspector Kuldeep Kaur of Chandigarh Police was suspended for alleged misconduct and dereliction of duty during the high-profile event, following complaints from several guests and a preliminary inquiry, according to Times News Network. A departmental investigation has been launched, underscoring the importance of protocol and decorum at such symbolic occasions.
As India bids adieu to the MiG-21, the focus now shifts to the future—one where indigenous innovation, timely execution, and strategic communication will be as vital as raw firepower. The MiG-21 may no longer roar across Indian skies, but its legacy endures in the ambition it inspired and the security it provided for generations. The challenge ahead is clear: to ensure that the next chapter in India’s air power story is written with the same courage, ingenuity, and resolve that defined the era now passing into history.