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The Hindu
22-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Indian Air Force to retire MIG-21 jets in September
After over six decades in service, the Indian Air Force is preparing to formally retire its last MiG-21 Bison jets. A senior Defence official has confirmed the development has said that the jets will be retired in September this year in a ceremonial send-off that will be held in Chandigarh air base. It will bringing a close to 62-year journey that began in 1963. According to sources, there are plan to replace MiG-21 jets by the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft. MIG 21 jets, currently operated by the 23 Squadron — also known as the Panthers. The jets have played a role in several major conflicts that include 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the Kargil 1999, Balakot Airstrikes 2019 and most recently, the Operation Sindoor. It was a MiG-21 Bison flown by then Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman during Balakot airstrikes.
India Today
22-07-2025
- General
- India Today
Fighter jet MiG-21 to be retired after 62 years, ceremonial send-off in September
The Indian Air Force is set to retire the iconic fighter jet MiG-21 after 62 years. The last jet will be given a ceremonial send-off on September 19 at the Chandigarh airbase by the 23 Squadron (Panthers).Inducted in the Air Force in 1963, the MiG-21 participated in all major conflicts in India, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the Kargil War, the 2019 Balakot strikes, and Operation Sindoor.- Ends advertisement
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Business Standard
22-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Final flight: IAF's MiG-21 fighter jet to bow out in September
After providing more than 60 years of service, the MiG-21 fighter jet is scheduled for formal retirement, with a ceremonial send-off planned for September, according to a report by The Economic Times. The last batch of aircraft, belonging to the 23 Squadron, will be decommissioned at a ceremony at the Chandigarh airbase on September 19. The MiG-21 leaves behind a mixed legacy: it was India's first supersonic jet, granting a technological edge in the 1960s and 1970s, but later became infamous for frequent accidents, earning nicknames such as 'the flying coffin". Following the retirement of the MiG-21, the Indian Air Force's combat strength will drop to 29 squadrons, the lowest since the 1960s. Notably, even during the 1965 war, the Air Force maintained 32 squadrons of fighter jets. MiG-21 used by 60 countries worldwide India's longest-serving fighter jet, the MiG-21 was originally developed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the former Soviet Union and took its maiden flight in 1955. The supersonic aircraft has been used by nearly 60 countries worldwide. India became its largest operator. Why MiG-21 is dubbed 'the flying coffin' The MiG-21 has a troubled history of accidents. Reports indicate that more than 200 pilots and 50 civilians have lost their lives in crashes involving the jet. The first such incident was recorded in 1963. Of the 840 aircraft built between 1966 and 1984, more than half were lost due to accidents. Maintenance challenges and the quality of replacement parts have been cited as contributing factors. As a result of its poor safety record, the aircraft has earned grim nicknames including 'the flying coffin' and 'the widow-maker". The 2006 film 'Rang De Basanti' referenced the MiG-21, depicting an accident involving the jet and the subsequent death of a pilot. The film highlighted systemic corruption, further fueling public discourse around the aircraft's safety.
