ThePrint CutTheClutter: Journey of MiG-21 as it retires after 62 yrs, & IAF’s chronically troubled fighter jet acquisitions
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Sep 25, 2025 Celebrate the 62-year legacy of the iconic MiG-21 as it bids farewell. Discover its journey from deliveries in 1963 to its role in conflict and controversies. Explore the Indian Air Force's struggles with fighter jet acquisitions and how geopolitical factors shaped their choices. Shekhar Gupta reveals the IAF's preference for delta-wing designs while highlighting critical gaps and modernization efforts amid a turbulent history. Join in the nostalgia and technical insights surrounding this remarkable aircraft and its impact on India's defense.
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Final Flight Of The Bison
- The Indian Air Force reverently retired its last MiG-21 variant, the Bison, after 62 years of service.
- The ceremony took place at Chandigarh because it hosted the IAF's first operational squadron in 1966.
Why The MiG Is Called MiG
- 'MiG' combines the names of two Soviet designers, Mikoyan and Gurevich, explaining the aircraft designation.
- The first six MiG-21s arrived in India on March 2, 1963, in crates and were assembled locally.
Early Deliveries And Early Losses
- India received its first six MiG-21s in 1963 and lost three in early accidents and rehearsals.
- A second batch of six arrived, leaving nine MiGs available at the start of the 1965 war.
