Farewell to the MiG-21: India's Legendary Fighter Jet Retires

Mon Sep 29 2025 00:16:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

After decades of service, the MiG-21, a symbol of the Indian Air Force, has officially retired, leaving behind a legacy filled with both admiration and controversy.

The MiG-21, once the backbone of the Indian Air Force and a key player in various conflicts, made its last flight recently after over 60 years of service. Pilots remember it fondly, though it gained a dangerous reputation due to high accident rates. The aircraft's adaptability and historical significance have left a lasting mark on India's aviation landscape.

The first time he throttled the MiG‑21 to full power, soaring 20km above the Earth at twice the speed of sound, the young fighter pilot felt utterly weightless, as if the sky itself had let him go.

At Mach 2 you can feel the lightness in the stomach. The MiG‑21's turns at that speed are vast - banking sharply can carry you over many kilometres before completing a full arc, recalls Air Marshal (retired) Prithvi Singh Brar. He joined the Air Force in 1960, switched to the Soviet jet in 1966, and flew it for the next 26 years.

After six decades of admiration - and later, infamy - India's most iconic warplane is finally taking its last flight. At its peak, the MiG‑21 was the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), making up two-thirds of its fighter fleet. Yet it acquired the grim nickname flying coffin after a series of deadly crashes in its twilight years.

Between 1971‑72 and April 2012, 482 MiG crashes were recorded, claiming 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel and one aircrew, highlighting the duality of the aircraft’s legacy: a beloved warplane that became notorious for its crash rate.

Defence analysts point out that while the MiG-21 was a cornerstone of the IAF and helped shape India's defense ties with Russia, it faced challenges from ageing airframes and maintenance issues that led to a stretched service life.

Despite its mixed reputation, pilots remember the MiG-21 as a partner in the skies with an unparalleled character and a history woven into the fabric of India's military heritage. As it retires, the MiG-21 leaves behind a complex legacy of courage, sacrifice, and transformation.