IAF to phase out MiG-21 fighter jets by September after 60 years of service

The last remaining squadrons of the MiG-21s are currently stationed at the Nal air base in Rajasthan.

Updated on: Jul 22, 2025, 15:50:38 IST

By HT News Desk

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After more than six decades of service, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to retire the iconic MiG-21 fighter jets by September this year, marking a significant shift in India's military aviation history.

MiG-21 has long been under scrutiny due to a series of crashes over the years. (X)

According to defence officials, the last remaining squadrons of the MiG-21s are currently stationed at the Nal air base in Rajasthan, ANI reported. MiG-21 has long been under scrutiny due to a series of crashes over the years.

"Indian Air Force to phase out the MiG-21 fighter jet by September this year. The squadrons operating the aircraft are currently in Nal air base in Rajasthan. The LCA Mark 1A aircraft would be replacing the MiG-21s in the IAF," a defence official said.

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Once the backbone of the IAF's combat fleet, MiG-21 will soon be replaced by the more modern and indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A.

The Indian Air Force will get at least half a dozen Tejas Light Combat Aircraft by March 2026, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd CMD D K Sunil has said, weeks after the IAF chief flagged serious concerns over delays in the delivery of the jets.

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Sunil, chairperson and managing director of the aviation behemoth, attributed the delivery delays to US defence major GE Aerospace missing the deadline for the supply of its engines to power the fighter jets.

All about MiG 21 fighter jets

First inducted in 1963, MiG-21 is India's first-ever supersonic jet. The aircraft has had limited use in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, but was subsequently used in multiple military conflicts since, including the 1999 Kargil War and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

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The aircraft was also used during the 2019 Balakot airstrike against terrorist camps in Pakistan. During the operation, one MiG-21 was downed, leading to the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan.

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HT News Desk
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