New Delhi, July 22, 2025 – The Indian Air Force plans to retire its remaining 1.5 squadrons of MiG-21 jets this September. This marks the end of an era for the old fighter planes that have served for over 60 years. The Tejas Mk1A, a home-built jet from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, will step in to fill the gap. Officials say this shift boosts the force with newer tech and safer options.
The MiG-21s left are from No. 3 Squadron, known as the Cobras, based in Bikaner, Rajasthan. That’s about 24 jets in total for the 1.5 squadrons. India first got these Soviet-made planes in 1963, and they’ve flown in wars like 1965 and 1971 against Pakistan. Over time, they’ve been updated to the Bison version with better radar and weapons. But crashes have been a big issue – more than 200 incidents since the 1990s, with many pilots lost. The last crash was in May 2023, killing three people on the ground.
Retiring them has been talked about for years. The IAF once had over 800 MiG-21s, but now only these few remain. The full phase-out by September clears the way for modern fighters. A ceremony might happen to honor their service.
Tejas Mk1A as the Replacement
The Tejas Mk1A is India’s own light combat aircraft. It’s designed to handle air defense, ground attacks, and more – roles the MiG-21 used to do. The Mk1A version has upgrades like active radar, better engines, and electronic warfare tools. It can carry missiles, bombs, and has a top speed over 2,200 km/h.
HAL is making 83 of these for the IAF under a Rs 48,000 crore deal from 2021. The first ones should join service soon after the MiG-21s leave. Two squadrons are already flying the basic Tejas Mk1 in Sulur, Tamil Nadu. This push supports India’s goal to build more local weapons and cut reliance on imports.
What This Means for the Air Force
Switching to Tejas helps fix the IAF’s low squadron count – they’re at 32 now, below the needed 42. It also means safer flights for pilots with newer designs. Experts say this retirement is long overdue, given the MiG-21’s age and accident record.
The IAF is looking at more buys, like 97 extra Tejas jets. For now, September’s changeover is a key step toward a stronger, self-reliant force. More details on the handover should come soon.
