New Delhi: Valentine’s Day, 1955, Zhukovsky Airfield near Moscow temperatures barely nudged -5°C, yet the chill couldn’t dim the excitement around the Ye-2, a lightweight interceptor prototype that would evolve into the legendary MiG-21. Little did the world know that this sleek Soviet marvel, with its delta wings and iconic shock cone, would come to define generations of military aviation and leave an indelible mark on India’s defense history.
Eight years later, India acquired its first 12 MiG-21s, initiating a bond between the nation and the nimble supersonic fighter that would endure for more than six decades. Today, that chapter nears its close: exactly one month from now, India’s last MiG-21 squadron will be retired, marking the end of an era.
From High-Altitude Interceptor to Multi-Role Warrior
When India first inducted the MiG-21 in 1963, it sought a high-altitude interceptor capable of countering aircraft like the US U-2 spy plane. But the jet’s role soon transcended its original mandate. Over the decades, it served as a fighter, ground-attack platform, reconnaissance aircraft, and even as a training aircraft for new pilots.
The MiG-21’s unforgiving flight characteristics limited cockpit visibility, high landing speeds, and compact frame meant only seasoned pilots could initially master it. Yet, despite these challenges, it became the backbone of the Indian Air Force for decades, symbolizing not just power in the skies but also Indo-Russian defense cooperation.
Combat Proven Through the Decades
The MiG-21’s combat history is rich and storied. In the 1971 war with Pakistan, it dominated the skies, escorting deep-penetration missions and neutralizing enemy fighters. Through the 1980s, it provided reconnaissance and air cover in Sri Lanka, and in the 1999 Kargil conflict, it undertook ground-attack and air-defense roles with precision.
Even in the 2010s and 2020s, MiG-21s demonstrated their enduring relevance participating in retaliatory strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan following the 2019 Pulwama attack and patrolling the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh during heightened tensions with China. Few aircraft globally have sustained over fifty years of active combat service.
The Bison: MiG-21’s Modern Avatar
India’s last operational MiG-21 variant, the Bison, was an upgrade marvel. Equipped with Israeli jammers, Russian R-77 and R-73 missiles, partial glass cockpit, and helmet-mounted sights, it remained formidable despite its age. Its agility, rapid scramble times, and suitability for forward bases like Srinagar allowed it to outperform newer alternatives, as Group Captain Abhinandan Vardhaman’s 2019 F-16 engagement famously proved.
A Legacy Beyond Tragedy
While the MiG-21 earned the ominous nickname “flying coffin” due to crashes over the years including a May 2023 accident in Rajasthan that claimed three lives its legacy transcends the tragedies. It forged India’s aerospace and defense capabilities, trained thousands of fighter pilots, and brought supersonic aviation into the nation’s arsenal when India’s military was still in its formative years.
The MiG-21 was not merely a fighter jet it was a symbol of technological ambition, courage, and Indo-Russian camaraderie. Its retirement will close one of the most illustrious chapters in the Indian Air Force’s history, leaving behind a legacy of unmatched valor and a blueprint for the future of Indian military aviation.
The Final Salute
Last week, the MiG-21s of Rajasthan’s Nal Air Force Station flew their final sorties. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and generations of pilots marked the emotional farewell, honoring a machine that had become part of India’s identity in the skies. From Valentine’s Day in 1955 to its twilight over Bikaner in 2025, the MiG-21’s story is one of triumph, sacrifice, and a legacy that will never be forgotten.