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MiG 21 Fighter Jets to Retire After 62 Years of Service, Tejas Mk1A to Takeover
INDIA, JUL 22 – The Indian Air Force will replace over 600 MiG-21 jets with indigenous Tejas Mk1A aircraft, reducing fighter squadrons to 29, the lowest since the 1960s, officials said.
- On September 19, 2025, the Indian Air Force's 23 Squadron 'Panthers' will retire their last MiG-21 fighter jets at Chandigarh airbase, marking the end of a 62-year legacy.
- Amid safety concerns over aging airframes, the Indian Air Force accelerated its modernisation drive, supporting indigenous platforms like Tejas Mk1A, to address fleet obsolescence.
- Having flown in four major wars, the jets cemented their legacy, underscoring their safety concerns with over 400 crashes and more than 200 pilot deaths.
- Senior Air Force leadership and veterans will gather for the ceremony, flypasts and static displays will mark the farewell, and the aircraft's retirement will reduce combat squadrons to 29, the lowest since the 1960s.
- With Tejas deliveries ramping up, the IAF’s next-generation fleet is taking shape, a defence official said, as the MiG-21s are set to be replaced.
31 Articles
31 Articles
The story of Tejas Mk-1A that will replace IAF's MiG-21s set to phase out in September
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is ready to bid adieu to its MiG-21 fighter jets after over 60 years of service. The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A aircraft will replace the ageing planes. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the new version of Tejas is an indigenous 4.5 generation, multi-role combat aircraft powered by the American GE F404 engine
IAF to phase out its last MiG-21 fighters next month
India is set to formally retire its remaining MiG-21 fighter jets in September, drawing the curtain on the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) longest-serving and most controversial combat aircraft. Currently operated by the IAF’s 23 Squadron, known as the Panthers, the aircraft will be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. India inducted over 700 MiG-21s over the years, including several variants such as the Type-77, Type-96, BIS…
Legendary MiG-21 Jets Set to Retire After over Six Decades in Service
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 aircraft are finally set to retire from the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September after remaining in service for over six decades, people aware of the development said on Tuesday. India News | Legendary MiG-21 Jets Set to Retire After over Six Decades in Service.
MiG-21s to retire by September: Journey of the fighter jet that won wars, but was always under accident cloud
Indian Air Force MiG-21 retirement explained: The MiG-21s have for long been the backbone of the Indian Air Force, but have earned the dubious label of 'the flying coffin' due to several fatal accidents. Here's how they were inducted, and why they are being phased out.
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