India’s Next-Gen Air Power: Focus Should Be Beyond The MiG-21 Era

Indian Air Force Retires Iconic MiG-21 Fighter Jets - EBNW Story

The Indian Air Force (IAF) retired its last MiG-21 fighter jets in September 2025. The No 23 (Panthers) and No 3 (Cobras) squadrons, operating 36 jets, were decommissioned in Chandigarh. This marks the end of a six-decade era for the Soviet-era aircraft. The retirement marks challenges faced by the IAF in maintaining adequate fighter squadron strength amid delays in new aircraft induction. Historical Significance of MiG-21 in IAF Introduced in 1…

India’s Next-Gen Air Power: Focus Should Be Beyond The MiG-21 Era

The retirement of India’s MiG-21 fighters on September 26, 2025, marks the end of an era and the beginning of a cr...