MiG-21 to Retire in September 2025 After 62 Years of Legendary Service in India

India’s iconic MiG-21 fighter jet—the backbone of its air power for over six decades—is finally set to retire on September 19, 2025, after 62 years of service, bringing an end to one of the longest-serving aircraft careers in the world.

Inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1963, the MiG-21 “Vikram” was India’s first supersonic combat aircraft. Known for its speed, agility, and dependability, the MiG-21 played an active role in all major Indian conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the Kargil War of 1999, and even in Balakot air strikes in 2019. Its record in combat, combined with the skill of its pilots, made it a symbol of India’s air power for generations.

At its peak, India operated over 850 MiG-21s, with around 600 produced domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)—a testament to India’s growing defense manufacturing capability. The aircraft served not only as a frontline fighter but also as a training ground for generations of IAF pilots.

However, with age came problems. The aircraft became increasingly difficult to maintain and was involved in multiple crashes, leading to the infamous nickname “flying coffin.” Still, due to delays in acquiring replacements like the indigenous LCA TEJAS, its retirement was postponed multiple times.

Now, the final chapter is set. The last active MiG-21 unit, the 23 Squadron “Panthers”, will give the aircraft a ceremonial send-off at Chandigarh airbase on September 19, 2025. With this, India becomes the latest country to retire the MiG-21, closing a proud but complicated chapter in its aviation history.

Countries That Retired the MiG-21 and When:

Here is a list of countries that operated and retired the MiG-21, including India:

With this move, the Indian Air Force’s squadron strength will fall to 29—its lowest in decades, raising concerns about combat readiness in the face of regional threats. Until newer fighters like the TEJAS Mk1A, Rafale, or those from the MRFA programme arrive in greater numbers, the IAF will be working with fewer aircraft than required.

The retirement of the MiG-21 is both a farewell to a warhorse that protected Indian skies for generations, and a reminder of the urgent need to modernize the IAF’s fighter fleet.

A salute to the MiG-21—the jet that served India with unmatched loyalty, courage, and strength for over half a century.