The Unsung Hero: How The Ubiquitous MiG-21 Shaped Subcontinental Air Warfare

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will formally retire its last active MiG-21 fighter jet on September 19, bringing an end to the aircraft's distinguished service of over six decades, during which it served as a cornerstone of India's aerial defense capabilities.

The MiG-21 was originally developed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau and first flew in 1955

It played a pivotal role in every major conflict from the 1965 Indo-Pak war to the 2019 Balakot airstrike, contributing significantly to India’s air dominance.

In the 2019 Balakot operation, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 with his MiG-21 Bison before being captured and later released.

It entered Indian Air Force service in 1963, becoming India's first supersonic fighter jet. (Image: Meta AI)