After six decades of service, India’s most iconic warplane, the MiG-21, is being retired, leaving behind a complex legacy of admiration and infamy. Once the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), making up two-thirds of its fighter fleet, the Soviet-era jet inspired deep loyalty among its pilots but also earned the grim nickname “flying coffin” due to its high crash rate in later years.
The aircraft has a storied but troubled history. Between 1966 and 1980, India acquired 872 MiG aircraft. However, from 1971 to April 2012, official figures recorded 482 MiG crashes, which claimed the lives of 171 pilots, 39 civilians, and nine other service and aircrew personnel.
Pilots who flew the needle-nosed supersonic jet remember it fondly for its blistering speed and ferocious climb rate. Air Marshal (retired) Prithvi Singh Brar, who flew the jet for 26 years, described it as a “clever bird” that protected him in combat. Originally designed as a high-altitude interceptor, the IAF adapted the MiG-21 into a formidable multi-role fighter, proving crucial in conflicts like the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Despite the pilots’ affection, critics argue the aircraft’s reputation is tarnished by the numerous fatalities. Analysts point out that the MiG-21 was kept in service far longer than it should have been due to bureaucratic delays in procuring a replacement. Its challenging engine and high landing speed contributed to many accidents, which were often attributed to an ageing airframe and stretched maintenance cycles.
With the retirement of its last two MiG-21 squadrons, the IAF’s strength will fall to 29 fighter units, well below its sanctioned requirement of 42. For the pilots who flew it, however, the MiG-21 was more than a machine; it was a legendary partner in the sky.
