The renowned fighter jet of the Indian Air Force, the MiG-21, is finally retiring from combat squadrons. On September 26, 2025, it bid farewell in a grand ceremony in Chandigarh, having served to protect the nation for an impressive 62 years.
The final two squadrons—No. 23 (Panthers) and No. 3 (Cobras)—included about 28 MiG-21 Bison aircraft. With their retirement, the Air Force now operates with 29 fighter squadrons, though 42 are required. The question now looms: what will happen to these retired jets? Fear not, they won't be discarded in junkyards. Instead, they’ll find new life in museums, educational institutions, and training centers.
Read More: India's First Supersonic Jet Reflects on 60 Years of Valor—A MiG-21 Farewell Gallery
The MiG-21, the first supersonic jet crafted by the Soviet Union, began its journey in India in 1963. A total of 874 MiG-21 jets were procured. Celebrated for its valor during wars in 1965 and 1971, Kargil (1999), and Balakot (2019), it now retires due to aging and accidents.
At the Chandigarh Air Base, the Air Chief Marshal, A P Singh, took the final solo flight. The jets received a dignified farewell complete with a water salute and flypast. These jets now cease frontline duty.
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Source: aajtak
After September 26, the MiG-21 Bison will head to Nal Airbase. Post-retirement, the No. 3 Squadron Cobras and the No. 23 Squadron Panthers will be plated, freezing their numbers and legacy.
Any new aircraft joining a squadron will adopt these names. Now, the No. 3 Squadron will receive the first LCA Mark 1A fighter. Upon reaching Nal Airbase, the MiG-21 will undergo thorough inspections. Usable parts will be extracted for educational or museum purposes, while the rest will be scrapped.
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Retired parts may be offered to engineering colleges for training or retained in military museums or war memorials. Civil enthusiasts desiring these jets for display must make requests to the Air Headquarters.
Source: aajtak
An eligibility list is created and checked. Jet frames are distributed per Air Force standards, including oversight. Retired jets frequently find homes in major universities, industry sites, or government buildings.
Many retired MiG-21s have been made suitable for display, including a single-seater showcased at the Indian Air Force Heritage Museum in Chandigarh—India’s first Air Force Heritage Center.
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In places like Delhi's IAF Museum and the Palam Air Force Station, near Kolkata's Nicco Park Salt Lake, Bijupatnaik Aeronautics Museum in Sunabeda, Odisha, Delhi's Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, Prayagraj's Chandrasekhar Park, and Bangalore's HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, the MiG is elegantly displayed. Variants are preserved in various sites post-retirement.
Source: aajtak
Some jets will serve as training tools, converting into supersonic target drones. This transformation provides pilots with real combat experience, breathing new life into its legacy.
According to Air Force regulations, institutions receiving airframes must ensure their maintenance. That includes preserving the aircraft's original color and paint as set by the Air Force. If a municipal authority's request is granted, the city may assist in maintaining them to prevent deterioration.
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Generally, pilots cannot alter their stream at will. The flying stream encompasses fighter, fixed-wing transport, and helicopter pilots. A fighter pilot may switch to transport or helicopter streams, contingent on the reason, with medical grounds being the most prevalent.
As the MiG-21 retires, its pilots have a valid reason to seek a stream change. The Air Force's pilot training program provides specialization options with different fighter jets after primary training. Should a MiG pilot opt for another fighter, a 3- to 6-month training is necessary due to distinct aircraft differences. A MiG-21 pilot may transition to test pilot, logistics branch, or administrative branch roles.
