After nearly 60 years of continuous service, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially retired its last operational Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Bison squadron. This marks the end of an era for India’s longest-serving fighter aircraft. In a strategic pivot toward indigenization and modernization, the IAF is now deploying the domestically developed HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) into frontline roles—a significant milestone for India’s aerospace industry and defense posture.
MiG-21 Legacy Ends After Six Decades
The MiG-21 first entered Indian service in 1963 under a major defense agreement with the Soviet Union. Over time, India became one of the largest operators of the type globally. The aircraft played pivotal roles in multiple conflicts—including the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan—and was instrumental in establishing air superiority during those engagements.
However, despite several upgrades over the decades—most notably to the MiG-21 Bison standard—the platform has faced growing scrutiny due to its aging design and safety record. Over 400 MiG-21s have been lost in accidents since induction, earning it grim nicknames like “flying coffin” in Indian media circles.
The final squadron to operate the Bison variant was No. 4 Squadron “Oorials” based at Uttarlai Air Force Station in Rajasthan. The unit formally stood down in late September 2025 following a ceremonial flypast attended by senior IAF leadership.
HAL Tejas Takes Over Frontline Duties
The retirement of the MiG-21 coincides with a broader modernization effort within the IAF that includes replacing legacy Soviet-era platforms with domestically built or Western-origin systems. At the center of this transition is Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A—a fourth-generation multirole fighter designed to meet both air defense and ground attack requirements.
Developed by HAL and overseen by India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Tejas features:
- Fly-by-wire flight control system
- Glass cockpit with multifunction displays
- Elta EL/M-2032 multimode radar (to be replaced by Uttam AESA radar on Mk1A)
- Composite airframe for reduced radar cross-section
- GE F404-IN20 turbofan engine
The IAF has already inducted two squadrons—No. 18 “Flying Bullets” and No. 45 “Flying Daggers”—with additional orders placed for 83 upgraded Mk1A variants under a ₹48,000 crore (~$6 billion) contract signed in February 2021. Deliveries are expected to commence in early 2024 and continue through 2029.
Operational Implications and Deployment Strategy
The deployment of Tejas to forward bases such as Jodhpur and Uttarlai reflects its growing operational maturity. These locations are strategically positioned near India’s western border with Pakistan—underscoring New Delhi’s confidence in using indigenous platforms for high-readiness missions.
The LCA is expected to fulfill roles previously handled by legacy fighters like MiG-21s and Mirage 2000s—including quick reaction alerts (QRA), combat air patrols (CAP), and precision strikes using PGMs such as laser-guided bombs or Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missiles.
While not yet a full replacement for heavier twin-engine platforms like Su-30MKI or Rafale F3R jets in terms of payload or range, Tejas offers a cost-effective solution for short-to-medium range tactical missions—especially when deployed en masse across multiple squadrons.
Challenges Ahead: Production Bottlenecks & Export Goals
Despite its recent successes, the LCA program continues to face challenges—particularly around production scalability and export competitiveness:
- Production Rate: HAL currently produces around eight aircraft per year but aims to ramp up capacity to at least 16 annually via a new assembly line inaugurated in Nashik.
- AESA Radar Integration: The indigenous ‘Uttam’ AESA radar developed by DRDO is still undergoing trials; initial Mk1As will use Israeli radars before transitioning fully to domestic systems post-certification.
- Export Push: While Malaysia shortlisted Tejas for its light fighter requirement earlier this year, it ultimately selected South Korea’s FA-50 Golden Eagle due to faster delivery timelines and existing support infrastructure.
Nations such as Argentina, Egypt, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka have expressed interest but no firm export contracts have materialized yet—highlighting ongoing hurdles related to after-sales support ecosystems and geopolitical alignment.
A Broader Shift Toward Indigenous Capability
The phasing out of Soviet-era fighters like MiG-21 aligns with India’s broader push toward strategic autonomy through indigenous defense production under initiatives such as “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India). Beyond LCA Tejas, other key programs include:
- Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF): Navalized carrier-based fighter under development by ADA/DRDO targeting INS Vikrant deployment post-2030.
- Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA): A fifth-generation stealth fighter program currently entering prototype phase; first flight projected around 2028–29.
- LCH Prachand & LUH: Indigenous rotary-wing platforms entering service across Army Aviation Corps and Air Force units—replacing older Chetak/Cheetah fleets.
The End of an Era—and Dawn of Another
The retirement of India’s last MiG-21 squadron marks not only an end but also a beginning—a symbolic handover from imported legacy systems to homegrown solutions tailored for India’s unique threat environment. While challenges remain on both technical and industrial fronts, the operational deployment of HAL’s LCA Tejas into frontline roles represents a tangible step forward toward greater self-reliance in aerospace defense capabilities.
