The Indian Air Force will retire its MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025, officially bringing an end to the aircraft’s long and historic service of over 60 years. Once considered the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet, the MiG-21 is set to be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A.
Defence officials confirmed that the last remaining MiG-21 squadrons are currently based at Nal air base in Rajasthan. The aircraft has faced criticism in recent years due to safety concerns and a series of crashes, but its retirement also marks the conclusion of a key chapter in India’s military aviation history.
Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 was India’s first-ever supersonic jet. It played a limited role in the 1965 Indo-Pak war but later proved its worth in several conflicts, including the 1971 war and the Kargil conflict. Most recently, it was involved in the 2019 Balakot airstrike, during which a MiG-21 was downed and its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was captured and later released by Pakistan.
The Tejas Mark 1A, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will begin replacing the MiG-21s in phases. HAL has committed to delivering at least six Tejas aircraft by March 2026. However, delays in the delivery schedule have been flagged by the IAF, with HAL citing late engine supplies from U.S. defence manufacturer GE Aerospace as a major reason.
Despite the delays, the phase-out of the MiG-21 is a key step in modernising the IAF and reducing dependency on legacy platforms. The decision reflects India’s broader push toward self-reliance in defence and a shift to newer, safer, and more capable aircraft for future missions.
