Indian Air Force to Retire MiG-21 Jets by September 2025, Tejas Mk1A to Take Over

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be phasing out its MiG-21 fighter jets by September 2025, after serving for over 60 years. Defence officials confirmed that the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A, an indigenously developed jet, will replace the MiG-21s in all current squadrons.

The MiG-21 aircraft are currently being operated at the Nal Air Force Base in Rajasthan. These jets were first inducted in 1963 and will be retired after 62 years of active use, marking the end of an important era in Indian military aviation.

Historic Role of the MiG-21

The MiG-21 was India’s first jet that could fly faster than the speed of sound, and it was bought from the Soviet Union. Though its use was limited in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, it played significant roles in later operations, including the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike.

One of the MiG-21 jets was shot down during the 2019 operation, resulting in the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who later returned to India. The jet has long been a key part of the IAF, though it's also been criticised for frequent crashes, earning it the nickname "flying coffin".

Recent Retirements and Replacements

In October 2023, the Indian Air Force’s Number 4 Squadron, known as the "Oorials" and based in Uttarlai, Barmer (Rajasthan), retired its MiG-21 and Su-30 MKI jets. This was a big change for the squadron, which had been flying MiG-21s since 1966.

Tejas Mk1A to Take Over

The Tejas Mk1A, made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will take the place of the MiG-21 jets. On July 17, 2025, HAL got its first set of wings for the aircraft, which were built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar praised the collaboration between HAL and L&T, calling it a step toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He encouraged further innovation and reduced dependence on foreign suppliers.