Decommissioning of the IAF MiG-21 Fleet: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

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GS-33 events · 2025-07-23 → 2025-09-26

For 62 years, it was the backbone of India's skies, yet it earned the grim moniker 'Flying Coffin.' On September 26, 2025, the final two squadrons of the supersonic MiG-21 officially vanished from the Indian Air Force's active roster, ending an era that defined Indian aerial warfare.

Overview

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully completed the planned decommissioning of its MiG-21 fighter jet fleet, a process that concluded in September 2025. This arc traces the final months of the Soviet-origin aircraft, which served India for over six decades. The transition involved a formal retirement announcement in July, a high-profile ceremonial flight by the IAF Chief in August, and the final standing down of the No. 23 'Panthers' and No. 3 'Cobras' squadrons. This move is a critical step in India's broader defense modernization strategy, aimed at replacing aging third-generation platforms with indigenous 4.5-generation aircraft like the LCA Tejas to enhance pilot safety and combat readiness.

How This Story Evolved

The IAF announced the September retirement timeline → prompted a ceremonial farewell sortie by the IAF Chief in August → culminated in the formal decommissioning of the final squadrons on September 26.

  1. 2025-07-23: MiG-21 Fighter Jets to Retire in September
    More details

    UPSC Angle: MiG-21 fighter jets to retire; end of an era for IAF.

    Key Facts:

    • IAF to retire MiG-21 fighter jets in September 2025
    • MiG-21 served for six decades
  2. 2025-08-26: IAF Chief flies MiG-21 before retirement
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant

    Key Facts:

    • IAF Chief Air Marshal Amarpreet Singh
    • MiG-21
    • No. 23 Sqn Panthers
    • September 26 2025 retirement date
  3. 2025-09-26: MiG-21 Squadrons Retired
    More details

    UPSC Angle: IAF retired its last two MiG-21 squadrons.

    Key Facts:

    • Last two MiG-21 squadrons retired: No. 23 Panthers and No. 3 Cobras
    • NATO codename: “Fishbed”

Genesis

Trigger

The IAF formally announced the final retirement timeline on July 23, 2025, setting a firm September deadline to phase out the remaining vintage airframes.

Why Now

The decision was driven by the nearing end of the airframes' technical life and the increasing availability of the indigenous LCA Tejas Mk-1A, which is slated to fill the operational gap left by the MiG-21s.

Historical Context

Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 was India's first supersonic fighter. It played a legendary role in the 1971 Longewala battle and the 2019 Balakot aftermath, where it famously shot down a Pakistani F-16.

Key Turning Points

  1. [2025-07-23] IAF announces formal retirement timeline

    It shifted the MiG-21 from a 'phased-out' status to a definitive 'decommissioning' deadline.

    Before: Uncertainty about the exact exit date. After: Clear operational deadline of September 2025 set.

  2. [2025-08-26] IAF Chief flies farewell sortie with No. 23 Sqn Panthers

    A high-level leadership endorsement of the transition, boosting morale and signaling the end of technical trust in the aging platform.

    Before: The jet was seen as a controversial safety risk. After: The jet was celebrated for its 62-year historical service.

  3. [2025-09-26] Formal decommissioning of No. 23 Panthers and No. 3 Cobras

    The official conclusion of the MiG-21 era in India.

    Before: IAF operated three types of Russian-origin fighters. After: A major move toward a multi-role, modern fleet dominated by Su-30MKI, Rafale, and Tejas.

Key Actors and Institutions

NameRoleRelevance
Air Marshal Amarpreet SinghChief of the Air Staff (IAF)He performed a symbolic final sortie in the MiG-21 on August 26, 2025, to honor the aircraft's legacy before its official decommissioning.

Key Institutions

  • Indian Air Force (IAF)
  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
  • No. 23 Sqn 'Panthers'
  • No. 3 Sqn 'Cobras'

Key Concepts

Delta-wing Design

A triangular wing planform that provides low drag at supersonic speeds and high structural strength, common in interceptors.

Current Fact: The MiG-21 'Fishbed' utilized this delta-wing design for high-speed interceptions for 62 years in India.

Indigenization

The process of replacing foreign-sourced military hardware with domestically designed and manufactured equipment to ensure strategic autonomy.

Current Fact: The retirement of the MiG-21 fleet in September 2025 facilitates the induction of the indigenous Tejas fighter.

Squadron Strength

The total number of operational units in the Air Force; the IAF aims for 42 squadrons but has been hovering around 30-32.

Current Fact: The retirement of No. 23 and No. 3 squadrons on Sept 26, 2025, marks the total exit of the MiG-21 from this count.

What Happens Next

Current Status

As of September 26, 2025, the MiG-21 is no longer an operational fighter in the IAF; the last two squadrons (No. 23 and No. 3) have been formally retired.

Likely Next

The retired airframes will be preserved in museums or used as static displays, while the personnel will transition to flying the LCA Tejas squadrons.

Wildcards

Delays in the delivery of GE-F404 engines for the Tejas could create a temporary 'squadron strength' deficit, forcing the IAF to extend the life of other older platforms like the Jaguar or MiG-29.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

  • Security challenges and their management
  • Indigenization of technology and developing new technology
  • Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Essay Angles

  • Modernization vs. Tradition in India's Defense Forces
  • The Road to Atmanirbharta (Self-reliance) in Aerospace

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

  • Identified 'Tejas' as the indigenous LCA handed to IAF in 2016. — The retirement of MiG-21 is the direct prerequisite for the full-scale deployment of the Tejas mentioned in this PYQ.
  • MiG-21 Bison shot down a Pakistani F-16 in Feb 2019. — This historical context is vital for Mains answers discussing the MiG-21's continued relevance despite its age.

Prelims Angles

  • NATO codename for MiG-21 is 'Fishbed'.
  • Last two operating squadrons were No. 23 Panthers and No. 3 Cobras.
  • The MiG-21 first entered IAF service in 1963.
  • LCA Tejas is the primary replacement platform for the MiG-21.

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: Discuss the strategic significance of decommissioning the MiG-21 fleet for the Indian Air Force. How does the transition to indigenous platforms address the twin challenges of fleet modernization and pilot safety?

Answer Structure: Intro: Context of MiG-21's 62-year service and 2025 retirement -> Body 1: Legacy and limitations (1971 role vs 'Flying Coffin' safety issues) -> Body 2: Strategic transition to LCA Tejas and Atmanirbhar Bharat -> Critical Analysis: Balancing squadron strength vs modernization -> Conclusion: Future of IAF in the context of 4.5 and 5th generation fighters.

Essay Topic: Technological Obsolescence: A Barrier to National Security or a Catalyst for Innovation?

Textbook Connections

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Security > p. 792

Documents the 2019 Balakot dogfight where a MiG-21 Bison shot down an F-16, proving the aircraft's combat utility even in its final decade.

Gap: The textbook focuses on the 2019 event; it does not cover the final 2025 decommissioning timeline and the specific squadrons involved.

Quick Revision

  • Final retirement date: September 26, 2025.
  • Total service duration: 62 years (1963–2025).
  • Last two squadrons: No. 23 (Panthers) and No. 3 (Cobras).
  • NATO Codename: Fishbed.
  • IAF Chief who flew the farewell sortie: Air Marshal Amarpreet Singh (Aug 26, 2025).
  • Design: Supersonic interceptor with a delta-wing configuration.
  • Successor: LCA Tejas (Light Combat Aircraft) manufactured by HAL.

Key Takeaway

The decommissioning of the MiG-21 fleet represents a pivotal shift from India's legacy dependence on Soviet hardware to a future-ready, indigenous-led air defense architecture.

All Events in This Story (3 items)

  1. 2025-07-23 [Defense & Security] — MiG-21 Fighter Jets to Retire in September
    The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to retire its MiG-21 fighter jets in September after six decades of service. This marks the end of an era for the MiG-21 in the IAF, which has been a significant part of its fleet.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: MiG-21 fighter jets to retire; end of an era for IAF.

    Key Facts:

    • IAF to retire MiG-21 fighter jets in September 2025
    • MiG-21 served for six decades
  2. 2025-08-26 [Defense & Security] — IAF Chief flies MiG-21 before retirement
    IAF Chief Air Marshal Amarpreet Singh flew a sortie on the MiG-21, which is set to retire on September 26, 2025, after 62 years of service. The IAF Chief visited No. 23 Sqn Panthers, the last squadron operating the fighter.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant

    Key Facts:

    • IAF Chief Air Marshal Amarpreet Singh
    • MiG-21
    • No. 23 Sqn Panthers
    • September 26 2025 retirement date
  3. 2025-09-26 [Defense & Security] — MiG-21 Squadrons Retired
    The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally retired its last two MiG-21 squadrons — No. 23 Panthers and No. 3 Cobras — marking the end of a six-decade era of the supersonic jet fighter and interceptor with delta-wing design.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: IAF retired its last two MiG-21 squadrons.

    Key Facts:

    • Last two MiG-21 squadrons retired: No. 23 Panthers and No. 3 Cobras
    • NATO codename: “Fishbed”

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