The Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire its last MiG-21 fighter aircraft by September 2025, marking the end of service for the iconic aircraft that once constituted the backbone of India’s air defence. The MiG-21s will be replaced by the domestically designed Tejas Mk1A aircraft, marking a new dawn in India’s air combat capabilities.
The IAF now operates 36 MiG-21s—a steep fall from the almost 900 that once operated over Indian skies, 660 of which were made locally. The MiG-21 initially entered the Indian fleet in 1963 on a trial basis and soon became the star of the show, ruling India’s air arsenal until the mid-2000s.
The last variant that remains operational is the MiG-21 Bison, which was equipped with new avionics, navigation equipment, and communication suites to upgrade its service life.
The MiG-21s of the No. 4 Squadron in October 2023 conducted a ceremonial last flight over Barmer, Rajasthan. The ceremony was a celebration and symbolic passing on of the role to the Russian-built Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, which have assumed responsibility for defending the borders.
“We will retire the MiG-21 fighter jet by 2025 and substitute it with the LCA Mark-1A,” stated former Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, reiterating the timeline.
A Phased Goodbye Amid Safety Concerns
The retirement comes after a string of crashes by the old aircraft, most recently a deadly crash in May 2023 when a MiG-21 crashed near Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, killing three villagers. The plane had flown off Suratgarh Air Force base before crashing as a result of a technical snag.
During 2022, the IAF declared a timeline of three years to phase out the remaining four MiG-21 squadrons. This is also slated to include retiring the MiG-29 fleet by 2027.
Among the pioneering squadrons retired was No. 51, which operated from Srinagar. The squadron took a central part in the 1999 Kargil war (Operation Safed Sagar) and was the reaction to Pakistan’s counter-strike following the 2019 Balakot strikes. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who became a hero after shooting down a Pakistani aircraft before he was held captive, served in this squadron.
Future-Ready: Indigenous Stealth Fighter in Progress
India is currently working on developing its fifth-generation stealth fighter—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This single-seat, twin-engine jet will have advanced stealth paint, internal weapon bays, and state-of-the-art avionics.
Developed largely by Bengaluru’s Aeronautical Development Agency, the project AMCA is expected to cost more than ₹15,000 crore and will put India in the league of elite countries with indigenous stealth technology.
