Iconic MiG-21 Fighter Jet Retires From Service : September 26th

September 23

In a rare occurrence, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is set to lead the flypast on the final day of the MiG-21’s service, which will be observed on September 26.

The iconic MiG-21 fighter jet – the “backbone" of the Indian Air Force when it was commissioned and later infamously known as the “flying coffin" – will retire from service on September 26.

To honour the aircraft’s legacy, Air Chief Marshal Singh will fly a MiG-21 aircraft to bid it farewell. It is rare for a Chief of the Air Staff to fly an aircraft during a flypast or on such an occasion.

With the MIG-21’s retirement, the IAF will close a historic chapter in Indian military aviation. The aircraft leaves behind a record of unmatched service and a legacy that will be remembered as India transitions to a new generation of fighter jets.

The aircraft is likely to be replaced with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A. In its nearly 60-year service, the aircraft has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s air power.

Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 has served for nearly six decades and has been a cornerstone of India’s air power. Its first squadron, the 28 Squadron, raised in Chandigarh, was nicknamed ‘First Supersonics’ as India’s first supersonic fighter.
The MiG-21 aircraft saw extensive action in multiple operations, including the 1971 war with Pakistan, where it proved its combat effectiveness. They struck the governor’s residence in Dhaka, leading to Pakistan’s surrender.
The aircraft has shot down multiple generations of enemy fighters – from F-104s in 1971 to the F-16 in 2019 – making it one of the most battle-tested jets in IAF history.
The MiG-21 was also fielded in the Kargil war. It was often the first choice of commanders, as it provided unmatched flexibility due to its unique attributes of high agility, fast acceleration, and quick turnaround, as per the Press Bureau of Information (PIB).
It has trained generations of fighter pilots, many of whom recall it as both challenging and rewarding. The versatility of all the MiG-21 variants has shaped the IAF’s operational philosophy for decades.
Also known as ‘Badal’, a total of 874 MiG-21s were inducted into the IAF with variants, including T-66, T-77, T-69, T-96, T-75 and Bison. The MiG-21 Bison aircraft (CU-2788) is the oldest in the current fleet. At present, 3 Squadron (Cobras) and 23 Squadron (Panthers) are the two operational squadrons of MiG-21.
The term “flying coffin" emerged in the Indian media and public discourse in the 1990s and 2000s after a series of MiG-21 crashes that claimed the lives of many pilots.