The Indian Air Force has formally retired the MiG-21 fleet after more than six decades of service, bringing an end to an era once described as the backbone of the force. The farewell ceremony culminated in a final flight by Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, who took the controls of a MiG-21 Bison using the callsign ‘Cloud 3’ for the last sortie.
The MiG-21 retirement underscores a troubled operational record: out of about 876 MiG-21 aircraft acquired over the years, some 490 were lost in accidents. Those losses cost the lives of more than 200 Indian pilots and over 60 civilians, contributing to the jet’s notorious nickname, the ‘flying coffin’, among aviators and the public alike.
Despite its long service and the role it played in India’s air defence for decades, the MiG-21 Bison became synonymous with a high accident toll and mounting safety concerns. The decision to retire the type marks a significant shift for the Indian Air Force and closes a contentious chapter in regional military aviation history.
The aircraft also drew international attention in 2019 when, during Pakistan Air Force Operation Swift Retort, Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s MiG-21 was downed in Pakistani airspace, an incident that heightened scrutiny on the aircraft’s safety and operational record.
As the MiG-21 retirement is completed, the event is being watched across South Asia for its symbolic and practical implications, reflecting both the legacy of the type and the changing priorities of regional air forces.
