The latest on the MiG-21 is that India officially retired its last fleet of MiG-21 fighter jets on September 26, 2025, marking the end of over six decades of service.

• The final two squadrons, Nos. 23 and 3, which operated around 36 jets, were decommissioned in a ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force Station.
• This event included flypasts, skydiving displays, and participation by senior defense and air force officials.
• The MiG-21 is a Soviet-designed supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft developed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the 1950s. It is known for its versatility, simple design, and high production volume, with approximately 11,500 units built worldwide. The MiG-21 was used by more than 40 countries and saw action in numerous conflicts, including the Vietnam War and several wars involving India.
• The MiG-21, inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1963, was the backbone of the fighter fleet for many years and saw action in several wars against Pakistan. Despite its historical significance, the aircraft had a high crash rate and some safety issues, notably with its engine.
• More than 500 MiG-21s crashed in India over 60 years, causing at least 170 pilot deaths. The retirement reduces the IAF's fighter squadron strength to 29, significantly below the sanctioned 42 squadrons.

Design and characteristics

The MiG-21 was a light fighter aircraft optimized for high speed.

• Aerodynamics: The aircraft features a distinct needle-like fuselage and a delta wing configuration, which allowed it to achieve speeds of up to Mach 2 with a single, relatively low-powered turbojet engine.
• Engine: Early variants were powered by the Tumansky R-11 engine, while later, more advanced versions like the MiG-21bis used the Tumansky R-25-300.
• Armament: Depending on the variant and era, the MiG-21 could carry a mix of armaments. These included a 23mm twin-barrel cannon and missiles like the K-13 (AA-2 Atoll) and R-60 (AA-8 Aphid).
• Upgrades: Over its long service life, many MiG-21s underwent significant upgrades to their avionics, including new radars, internal cannons, and countermeasures. 

Variants

Over its production run, the MiG-21 was developed into numerous variants.

• MiG-21F-13: One of the initial production models and the first to enter service with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• MiG-21PFM: An upgraded interceptor version with an improved radar and ejection seat.
• MiG-21M/MF: Versions built for export with enhanced engines and armament.
• MiG-21bis: A multirole variant with improved avionics, a more powerful R-25 engine, and better ground attack capabilities. This version also served as the basis for the heavily upgraded  MiG-21 Bison.
• MiG-21 Bison: An extensive Indian upgrade of the MiG-21bis, featuring modern avionics, radar, and beyond-visual-range missile capabilities. 

The latest variant: MiG-21 Bison

While the MiG-21 was originally a Soviet-era aircraft, the Bison is a significantly modernized version developed specifically for India. This variant, which saw service well into the 21st century, included several key upgrades: 

• New avionics: A multi-mode radar and integrated digital flight systems.
• Updated weaponry: Compatibility with modern Russian and Western air-to-air missiles, including beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles.
• Enhanced electronics: Advanced electronic warfare and countermeasures systems. 

The Bison was a result of an upgrade package offered by Russian, Israeli, and Romanian firms. It allowed the aging airframe to remain relevant and a threat to more modern adversaries for a time. 

Service history in India

In the Indian Air Force (IAF), the MiG-21 earned both renown as a workhorse and controversy due to its accident rate. 

• Induction: The MiG-21 was first procured by the IAF in 1963 and became the country's first supersonic fighter jet.
• Significant conflicts: It was a key platform in several conflicts with Pakistan:
  • 1971 War: Credited with scoring India's first supersonic jet-on-jet kill.
  • 1999 Kargil War: Played a key role in the conflict.
  • 2019 Balakot Airstrikes: A MiG-21 Bison flown by Wing Commander     Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16.

 
The MiG-21's retirement and legacy

The retirement of the MiG-21 has had a significant impact on the IAF:

• Ending a long legacy: The aircraft played a crucial role in several conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan and the 1999 Kargil conflict. However, it also gained a controversial reputation as a "flying coffin" due to a high number of crashes in its later years.
• Depleting squadron strength: With the removal of the final two MiG-21 squadrons, the IAF's total number of fighter squadrons dropped to 29, falling short of its sanctioned strength of 42.
• Looking toward indigenous replacements: The MiG-21 will be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A, with 83 aircraft already on order. This move is part of a larger plan to modernize the IAF's fleet and reduce reliance on foreign military hardware. 

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