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.
-
16:37
-
16:23
-
15:33
-
15:16
-
15:07
-
14:12
-
13:56
-
13:49
-
13:44
-
13:28
-
13:09
-
12:33
-
11:20
-
10:53
-
10:52
-
10:05
-
09:46
-
09:29
-
09:19
-
09:00
-
08:58
-
08:55
-
08:41
-
08:36
-
08:27
-
08:21
-
08:00
-
07:42
-
07:31
-
07:14
-
07:04
-
06:47
-
19:05
-
18:44
-
18:25
-
18:10
-
17:48
-
17:33
-
17:15
-
17:00
