After serving the nation for over six decades, India’s MiG-21 fighter jets will retire from service on September 19, 2025. The Indian Air Force has planned a ceremonial farewell at Chandigarh airbase to honour the jet’s unparalleled journey. Introduced in 1963, MiG-21s became the backbone of India’s air defence and participated in every major conflict, including the 1965, 1971, and Kargil wars. With its supersonic capabilities, it was India’s first true interceptor and played a critical role in shaping IAF’s combat doctrines.
However, the aircraft earned a mixed legacy due to its ageing airframe and multiple accidents over the years, earning it the nickname “flying coffin” among critics. Despite these concerns, the MiG-21 remained operational due to successive upgrades and India’s delayed induction of replacement fighter jets.
The upcoming retirement marks the end of an era, paving the way for indigenous Tejas LCA Mk-1A and Rafale jets to strengthen India’s air defence fleet. The final sortie will witness veteran pilots and serving squadrons paying tribute to the warhorse that guarded the nation’s skies for 62 years with unmatched dedication.
The MiG-21’s story will forever remain a significant chapter in India’s military aviation history.
