What Next For Retired MiG-21 Fighter Jets? Explained In 5 Points

Last Updated:September 26, 2025, 14:28 IST

With the fleet retiring, the question arises — where will these fighter jets, first inducted in the early 1960s, be preserved?

IAF’s MiG-21 | Image: File

The Indian Air Force on Friday bid farewell to its legendary MiG-21, retiring the legacy fighter after 62 distinguished years on the frontline marked by historic milestones.

At the farewell ceremony in Chandigarh, held in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew the final sortie in honour of the MiG-21.

With the fleet retiring, the question arises — where will these fighter jets, first inducted in the early 1960s, be preserved, and what is planned for their future?

What Next For MiG-21?

• Although no official announcement has been made yet, it is widely expected that at least one MiG-21 will find a permanent place at the Indian Air Force Museum in Palam, Delhi — a fitting tribute to the country’s first supersonic fighter.
• Several of the retired aircraft are likely to be distributed to aviation museums and institutions both within India and abroad, preserving their legacy for future generations. There is also speculation that a limited number could be kept airworthy to form a ceremonial “vintage squadron” for special events and flypasts.
• What remains uncertain is whether the IAF will retain the upgraded MiG-21 Bison, equipped with modern avionics, or one of the older models for this vintage role. Aviation enthusiasts are keenly watching to see which variant takes on the mantle of a heritage aircraft.
• Over the years, the MiG-21 formed the backbone of India’s air defence. From its induction in 1963 onward, the IAF inducted more than 870 aircraft across multiple variants, significantly strengthening the nation’s combat capability during critical decades of regional conflict.
• Now, six decades later, the jet has been given a ceremonial send-off at the Chandigarh air base. Its retirement paves the way for indigenous fighters like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, seen as the closest successor to the MiG-21 in filling the gap in the IAF’s frontline fleet.

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