US EditionMiG 21 Fighter Jets to Retire After 62 Years of Service, Tejas Mk1A to Takeover
INDIA, JUL 22 – The Indian Air Force will replace over 600 MiG-21 jets with indigenous Tejas Mk1A aircraft, reducing fighter squadrons to 29, the lowest since the 1960s, officials said.
- The Indian Air Force will formally retire its aging MiG-21 Bison fighter jets in a ceremonial event scheduled for September 2025 at the Chandigarh air base.
- The retirement follows decades of service since 1963 when the Soviet-origin MiG-21 first joined the IAF amid border tensions and the 1962 war with China.
- The MiG-21 Bison has been instrumental in various significant military engagements, including the Indo-Pakistani conflicts of the mid-1960s and early 1970s, the Kargil conflict at the end of the 20th century, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, during which Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman successfully shot down a Pakistani F-16.
- Reports indicate over 500 MiG-21 crashes have killed more than 170 pilots, raising safety concerns amid ageing technology and high accident rates, while the LCA Mark 1A is announced as their replacement.
- The retirement marks the end of a 62-year era as MiG-21 squadrons pass border defense roles to newer jets like the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A and Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters.
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Legendary MiG-21 Jets Set to Retire After over Six Decades in Service
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 aircraft are finally set to retire from the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September after remaining in service for over six decades, people aware of the development said on Tuesday. India News | Legendary MiG-21 Jets Set to Retire After over Six Decades in Service.
MiG-21s to retire by September: Journey of the fighter jet that won wars, but was always under accident cloud
Indian Air Force MiG-21 retirement explained: The MiG-21s have for long been the backbone of the Indian Air Force, but have earned the dubious label of 'the flying coffin' due to several fatal accidents. Here's how they were inducted, and why they are being phased out.
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Total News Sources21
Leaning Left2Leaning Right6Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Right
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Right
67% Right
L 22%
11%
R 67%
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