MiG-21 shaped India’s military history: Rajnath

Chandigarh, Sep 26: As the MiG-21 fighter jet formally retired after nearly six decades of service on Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the aircraft had provided critical strength to the Indian Air Force in conflicts ranging from the 1971 war to ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Speaking at a decommissioning ceremony here, Singh, said the MiG-21 was not confined to a single battle or event but had shaped India’s military operations across several decades. “For a long time, the MiG-21 has been a witness to numerous deeds. Its contribution has not been limited to a single war,” he said.
He noted the aircraft’s role in the 1971 conflict, recalling the strike on the Governor’s House in Dhaka which, according to him, influenced the outcome of the war. He also referred to its use in the Kargil conflict, the Balakot airstrike, and in Operation Sindoor. “There has not been a moment when the MiG-21 did not provide strength to our armed forces,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister described the farewell as marking not just the end of a fleet but also the closing of a chapter in India’s military history. He said the aircraft had repeatedly enhanced the honour of the national flag during historic missions, and its record represented a story of courage, sacrifice and professionalism.
Tracing its history, Singh said the MiG-21 was inducted in 1962 and went on to become India’s first supersonic fighter. For over sixty years, it shaped operational confidence and strategy, he said, and contributed to India’s standing on the global stage. “For all of us, this is not just a fighter jet but something we have had a deep association with,” Singh said.
Responding to criticism of its age, Singh said the aircraft flown in recent years were not from the 1960s but were at most four decades old. He said such a lifespan was common in fighter fleets around the world. “The MiG-21 aircraft that came in the 1960s and 1970s were retired long ago. The ones in use now were not older than 40 years,” he said.
On its operational life, Singh said the aircraft had been modernised repeatedly, with radars and avionics upgraded to meet new requirements. He credited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for carrying out these updates, noting that the MiG-21 had flown under names such as Trishul, Vikram, Badal and Bison during different phases of service.
The retirement formally closes the MiG-21’s chapter in the Air Force. Known for its speed and agility, it served as the backbone of the fleet for decades. The IAF is now looking to replace it with modern indigenous aircraft, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.