The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to retire its remaining MiG-21 Bison fighter jets by September 19, 2025, marking the end of a significant chapter in Indian military aviation. A decommissioning ceremony is scheduled to take place in Chandigarh.

Introduced in 1963, the MiG-21 was the IAF's first supersonic fighter and quickly became the backbone of its tactical airpower. Over 870 of these Soviet-designed aircraft have served in the IAF, participating in every major conflict since 1965, including the wars of 1965 and 1971, the Kargil conflict of 1999, and the Balakot air strikes in 2019. The MiG-21 played a crucial role in securing air superiority during the 1965 and 1971 wars. The upgraded Bison variant gained international attention when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the Balakot operation in 2019 while flying a MiG-21 Bison.

However, the MiG-21 has also been plagued by safety concerns, earning the grim nickname "flying coffin" due to a high accident rate. Over 400 crashes have claimed the lives of approximately 200 pilots and 60 civilians. More than half of the 840 aircraft built between 1966 and 1984 were lost in crashes. Poor maintenance and the quality of replacement parts have been cited as contributing factors.

The retirement of the MiG-21s is part of the IAF's modernization plan to replace older aircraft with more advanced platforms. The IAF is significantly below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, currently operating with 29. The original plan was to replace the MiG-21 squadrons with the indigenous Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). However, delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk1A have forced the IAF to extend the service of the MiG-21s to maintain squadron strength. The primary reason for the delay is the late supply of GE F404-IN20 engines from General Electric. Engine deliveries were initially expected to begin in March 2024, but production issues led to a one-year lag. HAL received the first engine only in March 2025, followed by a second in July. General Electric is now expected to ramp up supply to two engines per month until March 2026. Although HAL has completed at least six Tejas Mk1A airframes, they remain grounded due to the lack of engines. HAL Chairman D K Sunil confirmed that the company is prepared to deliver six aircraft by March 2026 if engine supplies stay on schedule.

The retirement ceremony on September 19 will mark the end of an era for the MiG-21, an aircraft that has played a vital role in India's air defense for over six decades. The IAF is looking to the future, focusing on the induction of the Tejas Mk1A and other advanced platforms to enhance its combat capabilities.