The indigenous light combat aircraft 'Tejas' will now become the Air Force's new strength.

New Delhi (HS): The MiG-21, which ruled Indian skies for 62 years and fought three wars with Pakistan, finally bid farewell to the Air Force's air fleet today. With its final flight, the aircraft will be remembered not only for its saga of bravery and valor, but also for the highest number of pilot fatalities. After the MiG-21 departs Chandigarh Airbase, the indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas Mark-1A will replace it as the Air Force's new strength.

The MiG-21, the first supersonic aircraft to join the Indian Air Force fleet in March 1963, has now completed 60 years. After serving the nation for 50 years, it was retired on December 11, 2013. However, since the 1970s, the MiG-21 has been plagued by safety issues, resulting in accidents that have killed over 170 Indian pilots and 40 civilians. Between 1966 and 1984, nearly half of the 840 aircraft were lost in accidents. Most of these aircraft suffered engine fires or were destroyed by bird strikes. The MiG-21's frequent crashes earned it the nickname "the flying coffin."

The MiG-21, a favorite of pilots due to its agility, precision strikes, and high speed, was later upgraded to the MiG-21 Bison. After manufacturing 11,496 MiG-21s, the Russian company upgraded its last MiG-21 to the MiG-21 Bison in 1985. This improved model addressed many of the shortcomings of earlier MiG-21 variants. The Russian company also upgraded the remaining 54 MiG-21s in the Indian Air Force to the MiG-21 Bison. Subsequently, the Air Force's MiG-21s were upgraded to the MiG-21 Bison, serving the nation to this day.

The MiG-21, a part of the Air Force's fighter fleet, has established its dominance in the skies, defeating the enemy in every military operation, both large and small. Just two years after its induction into the fighter fleet in 1963, the MiG-21 first demonstrated its prowess in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, crushing the enemy. Subsequently, in the 1971 war, it targeted the Raj Bhavan in Dhaka, forcing Pakistan to surrender. It then played a leading and crucial role in repelling the enemy during the Kargil War. During its service, the MiG-21 also played a leading role in training thousands of trained pilots for the Air Force.

The MiG-21 last made headlines when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, in retaliation for the Balakot airstrike, shot down a state-of-the-art American F-16 fighter aircraft, using the same aircraft. Pakistan denies this. His MiG-21 was also shot down during the incident, forcing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to parachute. The Pakistani Army captured them for landing in Pakistani territory, but after diplomatic pressure, they were released a few days later.

Over the past six decades as part of the Air Force's air fleet, the MiG-21 has enhanced the Indian Air Force's firepower and strength with its power, agility, and precision strikes.

After the MiG-21's retirement, the Air Force will be left with 29 fighter squadrons, compared to the requirement for 42. After a long wait, on September 25th, just a day before the MiG-21's departure, the Central Government placed an order for 97 LCA Mark-1A fighter aircraft with HAL for the Indian Air Force. HAL is now expected to produce a total of 180 LCA Tejas aircraft for the Air Force. In the future, the new indigenously developed aircraft, the LCA Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2, will replenish the Air Force's depleted squadrons.