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“Flying Coffin” Retired: India Phases Out Last Soviet-Era MiG-21s After Decades of Fatal Crashes
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India has officially withdrawn the last of its MiG-21 fighter jets from service, ending more than sixty years of operational use of the Soviet-designed aircraft. The final squadron, known as the “Sword Arms,” based in Suratgarh, Rajasthan, was decommissioned this week, according to a statement from the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The MiG-21, often referred to in Indian media as the “flying coffin” due to its safety record, first entered IAF service in 1963. Since then, India acquired over 870 units, making it the largest operator of the type outside the former Soviet Union. The jet played a major role in conflicts with Pakistan, including the wars of 1965, 1971, and the Kargil conflict in 1999.
However, the aircraft’s reputation was marred by frequent accidents. Indian parliamentary data cited in The Hindu indicates that more than 60 MiG-21 crashes occurred between 1970 and 2019, leading to the loss of over 200 pilots and 50 civilians.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed in 2022 that the phase-out process would be completed by 2025, in line with the air force’s modernization program.
“The MiG-21 served the nation well during its time, but the Air Force has now moved to induct more advanced platforms, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Rafale, and soon the domestically manufactured Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),” Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari said during a ceremony marking the retirement, as reported by Hindustan Times.
India’s decision closes a significant chapter in its military aviation history. The IAF now plans to focus resources on integrating newer technologies and expanding domestic production capacity to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
Earlier, it was reported that India is expected to skip a full fighter-jet competition and instead procure more Rafale jets to replace retired MiG-21s, as its squadron strength has already dropped.
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