IAF’s MiG-21 fighter jets make last sorties before retirement | WATCH

The Indian Air Force’s legendary MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been at the core of India’s aerial combat power for over 60 years, are preparing for their final farewell. On August 18 and 19, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and IAF pilots took a series of sorties in the last remaining MiG-21s at Nal Air Force Station in Bikaner, an emotional moment ahead of their official retirement on 26 September in Chandigarh.

What did the Air Chief say about the MiG-21?

Speaking after his sortie, the Air Chief Marshal said, “It’s an amazing aircraft to fly, very agile and manoeuvrable, and it has been the workhorse of the IAF since the 1960s. But now it is time to move on to newer platforms like the Tejas and Rafale.”

How did the IAF honour the jet’s legacy?

In a statement, the IAF said, “Honouring the enduring legacy of MiG-21, the Chief of the Air Staff visited No. 23 Sqn ‘Panthers’, the last squadron operating the legendary fighter. The CAS flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Sqn Ldr Priya, symbolising both tradition and transformation. On 26 Sep 2025, the MiG-21 retires after six decades of glorious service in the IAF.”

What role did the MiG-21 play in India’s wars?

First inducted in 1963 as the country’s first supersonic fighter, the MiG-21 quickly became a symbol of national pride. It saw action in the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the 1971 conflict, the Kargil War of 1999, and the Balakot strikes in 2019. It played decisive roles in dogfights, interceptions, and establishing air dominance.

IAF spokesperson Jaideep Singh highlighted its combat record, saying, “MiG-21 has a history of shooting down all generations of aircraft. And the last one was the F-16, which was shot down. It had also shot down, in the 1971 war, the F-104s. The way the Indian Air Force has utilised the MiG-21 operationally, none of the air forces in the world have utilised this.”

Why is the aircraft being retired?

Despite its unmatched history, the MiG-21’s ageing design has been marred by safety concerns. More than 400 crashes have taken place over 62 years of service, resulting in the deaths of over 200 pilots and 60 civilians. Reliability issues have forced the IAF to phase out the fleet in favour of modern fighters.

What lies ahead for the last squadron?

Since the 1960s, the IAF inducted over 870 MiG-21s, making it one of the largest operators of the aircraft. The final few, part of No. 23 Squadron, will officially retire in a ceremonial send-off at Chandigarh next month, marking the end of an era in Indian military aviation.