'Flying coffins': India to retire MiG-21 fighter jets after six decades

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire its remaining fleet of MiG-21 fighter jets in September, concluding over six decades of service.

A ceremonial decommissioning is scheduled at the Chandigarh airbase on September 19, according to The Indian Express.

Originally inducted into the IAF in 1963, the Russian-origin MiG-21 served as a backbone of India's air combat fleet for years. More than 700 units of various MiG-21 variants—including Type-77, Type-96, BIS, and Bison—were procured over the decades.

The IAF currently operates two squadrons of the MiG-21 Bison, the most advanced variant of the aircraft. At least four squadrons were phased out between 2017 and 2024. The retirement of the remaining jets will further reduce India’s active fighter squadron strength, which currently stands at 31 against a sanctioned strength of 42.

Initially designed as an interceptor, the MiG-21 was later upgraded to support multi-role combat operations, including ground attacks. The Bison upgrade included modern avionics, electronic warfare systems, GPS navigation, radar, and cockpit enhancements. However, limitations in engine performance and airframe design remained unresolved, hindering its overall capabilities.

The planned retirement was originally set for 2022 but was delayed due to slower-than-expected induction of replacement aircraft, particularly the domestically developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

The MiG-21 has been involved in numerous military operations but has also drawn scrutiny for its safety record. Since its induction, over 400 MiG-21 aircraft—including trainer variants—have reportedly crashed, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 pilots and civilians.