The Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire its legendary MiG-21 fighter jets after over six decades of service. A ceremonial farewell will be held on September 19 at the Chandigarh airbase, with the final aircraft flown by the 23 Squadron, also known as the Panthers.

First inducted into the IAF in 1963, the MiG-21 became a symbol of India’s air power. The jet played important roles in many military operations, including the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, the Kargil War in 1999, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and Operation Sindoor.

Despite its legacy, the MiG-21 also gained a darker reputation over time. In recent years, the aircraft was involved in more than 400 accidents, causing the deaths of several pilots. These incidents earned it the nickname ‘flying coffin’, raising concerns about its safety.

The MiG-21, short for Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, was designed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau. Known for its supersonic speed and sharp design, the jet has been used by nearly 60 countries around the world.

Although the MiG-21 was upgraded several times, it had long outlived its original service timeline. The aircraft stayed in service longer than planned because of delays in production and delivery of India’s indigenous fighter jet — the LCA Tejas Mk1A, which is meant to replace it.

As of now, the IAF still operates two MiG-21 Bison squadrons, which include 31 aircraft.

Once the MiG-21 is retired, the IAF’s strength will fall to 29 fighter squadrons, its lowest number since the 1960s. This is below the IAF's sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, and even fewer than the number available during the 1965 war.

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