MiG-21 Fighter Jets Decommissioned After Six Decades of Service

The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, which served as the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for over six decades, were formally decommissioned at a ceremony in Chandigarh on 26 September 2025..

Historic Role in India’s Defence

The MiG-21 earned a formidable reputation in multiple theatres of war and conflict. From its decisive strikes in the 1971 war—including the attack on the Governor’s House in Dhaka that hastened India’s victory—to its active role in the Kargil conflict, the Balakot airstrike, and Operation Sindoor, the aircraft etched its name in military history.

First Supersonic Jet of the IAF

Inducted into service in 1963, the MiG-21 was India’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft. Designed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the 1950s, it was considered a technological marvel of its time. The aircraft was retired at the same airbase where it was first inducted.

Decline and Safety Concerns

While the MiG-21 proved its combat mettle, its extended use beyond its intended service life, coupled with inherent design limitations and rising maintenance challenges, resulted in frequent malfunctions over the years. The aircraft’s retirement marks the end of an era in India’s military aviation.