End of an Era: India Retires MiG-21 Fighter Jets

A solemn farewell ceremony for Soviet MiG-21 fighters was held in India. The event was marked by a final demonstration flight.

Thus, the Indian Air Force officially ended the operation of these aircraft, which for decades remained an important element of national aviation, despite numerous disasters.

The Chandigarh air base was chosen as the venue for the ceremony. It was there that the first MiG-21 was put into service in 1963, marking the beginning of a new era for the Indian Air Force.

Over more than 60 years, India has purchased more than a thousand of these fighters. Some of them were manufactured at Indian enterprises under license, which allowed the country to develop its own aviation industry.

MiG-21 has been actively used in combat since 1965, particularly during the war with Pakistan and in Operation Sindoor. The aircraft has proven itself to be a versatile platform for performing various combat tasks.

Former and current pilots emphasize the symbolic significance of the MiG-21 for India, highlighting its historical contribution to the development of the country’s military aviation.

“MiG-21 was the backbone of the Indian Air Force, an icon and a testing ground for several generations of pilots,” said former pilot Nitin Sathe.

He added that the aircraft had taught aviators to think innovatively and act effectively.

Currently, India’s combat aviation is based on the Su-30MKI and MiG-29. There were plans to replace the MiG-21 with domestic LCA Mk1A fighters, but due to delays in their delivery, the country purchased French Rafale fighters.

The final decision to decommission the MiG-21 was made after a crash in Rajasthan in 2022, which killed two officers. The tragedy was a turning point in terms of safety.

In total, since January 2021, the Indian Air Force has lost six MiG-21s in various accidents. Five crashes occurred in 2021 and another in 2022. Five pilots were killed.

MiG-21s are gradually disappearing not only in Asia but also in Europe. In 2024, the Croatian Air Force also ended the operation of these aircraft and began to receive modern Rafale jets.