India retires MiG-21s after six decades as air force pushes modernization
Farewell ceremony marks end of an era for a jet once central to India's defense; plans move forward to replace it with Tejas, possible Rafale builds, and potential foreign buys
India retired its last MiG-21 fighter jets on Friday, bringing six decades of service to a close for a Soviet-era aircraft that helped shape the Indian air force but later earned a grim nickname for its safety record.
The farewell took place at the Chandigarh air base, where the final sortie was led by Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. After the landing, the aircraft was honored with a water cannon salute.
With the MiG-21s out of service, the air force now operates 29 fighter squadrons, well short of the 42 previously endorsed for the service. Each squadron typically fields 16 to 18 jets, meaning a sizable gap remains as New Delhi seeks to deter potential threats from China and Pakistan on multiple fronts.
Inducted in the 1960s, the MiG-21 formed the backbone of India's air defense and saw action in wars with Pakistan and China. However, its safety record became a point of concern as crashes mounted over decades. India procured 872 MiG aircraft of various models between 1966 and 1980, making it the largest operator of the type in the world. Between 1971 and April 2012, official figures show 482 MiG crashes, with 171 pilots killed along with civilians and service personnel; analysts cited human error and technical issues. The crash data has not been updated since.
The retirement underscores the urgency for the air force to expand and modernize its fleet as it seeks to counter evolving threats on two fronts. New Delhi is banking on speeding the introduction of homegrown Tejas light-combat jets and is potentially open to foreign fighters that would be built locally to bolster a depleted fleet. Today, India operates a mix of Rafale fighters from France, Mirage 2000, Russian Su-30, MiG-29, and the indigenous Tejas, among others.
To address the shortfall, the air force has contracted to buy 87 Tejas jets from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Deliveries were expected earlier but have faced delays largely due to shortages of engines that must be imported from the United States. In a separate development on Thursday, the Defense Ministry signed another contract with HAL to procure an additional 97 Tejas jets, with deliveries anticipated to begin in 2027. The air force is also weighing a proposal in an early stage to procure Rafale fighters that could be built locally by Dassault Aviation in partnership with an Indian firm.
The United States has signaled interest in supplying F-35 stealth fighters, but New Delhi has not indicated a firm preference, focusing instead on accelerating domestically produced platforms while selectively importing advanced foreign aircraft when it suits strategic needs. Analysts say the mix of locally built and foreign aircraft will be central to India’s broader goal of expanding its air power without compromising industrial gains at home.
The MiG-21’s departure marks a formal transition from a jet that once defined an era of Indian air power to a diversified, modern fleet aimed at countering evolving threats and sustaining regional deterrence. While the MiG-21 will be remembered for its role in the country’s aviation history, the focus now is on meeting current and future security challenges through a broader, domestically supported modernization program.