Mig 21 retirement: On 26 September 2025, the Indian Air Force’s oldest fighter aircraft MIG-21 retired from Air Force fleet forever. After 62 years of long service, this aircraft has now been recorded in history. Its last flight took place from Chandigarh Airbase, where the Air Force Chief and several senior officials gave it a salute.

MIG-21 was not only the backbone of the Indian Air Force, but due to its high speed and brilliant performance in the war, it was considered the most trusted aircraft of the Air Force for decades. However, over time, this aircraft also became a victim of many accidents and also came to be called by names like ‘Udta Coffin’ and ‘Widow Maker’. In such a situation, let us know how many crashes were made from MiG-21 and how many pilots gave martyrdom.

How many crashes were made from MiG-21 and how many pilots martyred

MIG-21 was first inducted into the Air Force in India in 1963. This was India’s first supersonic fighter jet, which could fly a loud flying even more. Its maximum speed was 2,230 km per hour. The history of its accidents as well as its accidents has been very long along with the strength and bravery of MIG-21. In total, around 900 MIG-21 aircraft were bought by India, out of which more than 400 have been crashed. More than 200 pilots have been martyred in these accidents. Apart from this, many common citizens and military personnel have also died. Therefore, over time it was called flying coffin and widow maker.

MIG-21 history related to Indian Air Force

In 1961, there was an agreement between India and Russia on the MIG-21 aircraft. In 1963, its first two squadrons were included in the Air Force. After this, from 1967, it started to be assembled through HAL in India itself. With this, in 1965, MIG-21 participated in the war for the first time. It competed with many American F-104 fighter jets of Pakistan. The 1971 war proved to be a game changer for MIG-21. It demolished many airbase of Pakistan. 1999, Mig-21 successfully attacked enemies locations in inaccessible hills even in the Kargil War. Group Captain Abhinandan Vardhman killed F-16 of Pakistan while flying from MIG-21 Bison. Apart from this, Mig-21 was also fully kept on alert in Operation Sindoor and the terrorists’ hideouts were targeted in it.

Also read MIG 21 Retire Indian Air Force: How many countries in the world have MiG-21, have these fighter jets retired there too?