Archive · 23 Jul 2025
India's MiG-21 Fighter Jets Set to Retire in September
The Indian Air Force is saying goodbye to its old MiG-21 fighter jets.
These jets have been protecting India's skies since 1963.
They were very important in past wars.
India bought many of them, but sadly, many crashed over the years, causing the loss of lives.
The retirement was supposed to happen earlier, but it got delayed.
Now that they are going, the Air Force will have fewer fighter jets than it should, so they need to get new ones to keep the country safe.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire its MiG-21 fighter jets in September.
The MiG-21, introduced in 1963, was the IAF's first supersonic fighter and a key part of Indian defense.
India acquired over 700 MiG-21s, but over 400 were lost in accidents, leading to numerous pilot fatalities.
The retirement was delayed by the late induction of the indigenous Tejas Mark 1A.
The IAF will be left with only 29 squadrons, less than the sanctioned strength of 41, after the phase-out.
- Who
- Indian Air Force.
- What
- Retirement of MiG-21 fighter jets.
- When
- September.
- Where
- Indian Air Force.
- Why
- Ageing of the aircraft.
- Aircraft Name
- MiG-21
- Introduced
- 1963
- Total Procured
- Over 700
- Accidents
- Over 400
- Squadrons Remaining
- 29
- Sanctioned Squadron Strength
- At least 41