End of an Era: India Phasing Out Its Controversial MiG-21 Fleet
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to retire its entire remaining fleet of Russian MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025. These aircraft, which have served as the IAF's "workhorse" for six decades since their induction in 1963, gained notoriety for their vulnerability after one was shot down by Pakistan in February 2019, leading to the capture of its pilot. The retirement will involve a ceremonial decommissioning of the remaining two active MiG-21 Bison squadrons at the Chandigarh airbase on September 19th.
India had procured over 700 MiG-21 aircraft of various variants over the years. The phasing out of this aging fleet was initially planned for 2022 but was delayed due to setbacks in inducting newer fighter jets, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, which are intended as replacements. Between 2017 and 2024, at least four MiG-21 squadrons were already retired, and the complete phasing out will further reduce the IAF's active fighter squadron strength, which currently stands at 31 against a sanctioned strength of 42.
Despite numerous upgrades to the MiG-21 Bison variant over the past three decades, including improvements to avionics, radar, and electronic warfare systems, the core limitations of its engine performance and load-carrying capacity due to the airframe remained. While the supersonic jet played a significant role in India's wars and conflicts, it also earned a mixed reputation due to numerous crashes. Estimates suggest India has lost over 400 MiG-21 jets since their induction, resulting in the deaths of over 100 pilots and some civilians.
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