India bids farewell to MiG-21 jets after 60 years of service
After more than six decades in service and a heavy toll of 200 pilot deaths, the Indian Air Force officially retired its last MiG-21 fighter jets on 26 September 2025. These aircraft, often nicknamed “flying coffins” due to their accident record, have played a central role in India’s air defense since the 1960s.
The farewell ceremony took place near Chandigarh, where the first MiG-21s had been delivered. Crowds gathered to see off the 36 remaining aircraft, as India simultaneously signed a $7 billion contract for 97 locally designed Tejas fighter jets.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, senior Air Force officials, and former MiG-21 pilots attended the final flight display. The Indian Air Force had originally planned to retire the MiG-21s in the mid-1990s but extended their service due to a shortage of modern aircraft.
Over 874 MiG-21s were delivered to India, and while domestic production of fighter jets repeatedly faced setbacks, bureaucratic delays and corruption allegations also slowed foreign acquisitions. Despite their flaws, the MiG-21s were effective in combat, notably during the 1971 war against Pakistan. However, aging engines, hydraulic failures, and electrical issues contributed to their high accident rate.
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