MIG-21 Dhanush: Has it made the most famous and controversial warfare of IAF. Sensible news

When India began scouting for a supersonic jet in the early 1960s, its western options and geopolitics were forced by both. The United States was closely aligned with Pakistan through a security treaty such as Sito and Santo since the 1950s, already equipped Islamabad with advanced aircraft, including F -86 saber and F -104 starfighters. The requests by New Delhi for similar platforms were rejected, partly to preserve the strategic inclination of Washington.

Britain also refused to allow licensed production of its lightening jets. It opened the door to the Soviet Union, which not only offered MiG -21, then among the most advanced fighters, but also a rare package of technology transfer and local construction. The proposal was formed in the Nehru era with India’s developed defense currency, emphasizing strategic autonomy and indigenous capacity by Defense Minister VK Krishna Menon.

In August 1962, India signed an agreement with the USSR. The first batch of MiG -21 arrived next year, with number 28 squadron, later dubbed “First Supersonics”, which turned on in Chandigarh. By 1966, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had started licensed production, laying the foundation for one of the most prestigious aircraft programs of the Indian Air Force.

How did MiG -21 develop over time?

Initially designed as a light, high-speed interceptor, the role of Mig-21 within IAF quickly expanded. Its early versions, Type -74, had limited capabilities, which were equipped with only two k -13 heat -accelerated missiles. But as the demand demand increased, Indian engineers and pilots began modifying the aircraft to carry cannons, bombs and rockets. By the time of Type-77, it was no longer only a point-defense interceptor, but there was a platform that was able to do an air-to-ground strike.

The next significant jump took place with Type -96 introduced in the 1970s. This version improved better radar, high fuel capacity and more versatile weapons. It was also adapted to electronic warfare duties in the late 1970s, carrying Swedish Cheaterbox Jaming Pods. In the absence of a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft, the MiG -21 was also fitted with British Winton cameras, serving as India’s primary strategic photo -rich platform until Jaguar’s induction.

By the 1980s, the MiG -21 BIS, equipped with a more powerful engine and radar -directed missiles, became India’s workhrokers for the airfield and important sector defense. In the absence of an advanced jet trainer, IAF converted several MIG-21 squadrons into training units under the MOFT (MIG Operational Flying Training) program, despite the jet-demanded flight characteristics.

The last version, the bison, was included in the early 2000s. This heavy advanced version featured a Russian radar, Israeli electronic warfare system, a French inertial navigation system and an Indian radar warning receiver. Its arsenal included R-77 and R-73 missiles, KH-31 anti-radiation weapons, and laser-directed bombs, converting it into a competent fourth-generation fighter at a fraction of the cost.

How did MiG -21 shape India’s wars?

MiG -21 first entered the war during the 1965 Indo -Pakistan War, although it was limited to a single squadron. Although it did not register any murder during the conflict, its performance offered IAF important text on the need for extended firepower and multi-singular abilities.

By the time of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, MiG -21 had matured in a malignant property. On the eastern front, the aircraft played an important role in reducing Pakistan’s air capabilities. MiG -21 organized a glide bombing standing at Tejgaon Airfield in Dhaka, giving it inactive and given to IAF air superiority.

The turn came on 14 December, when the Four MiG -21 flight launched a rocket strike at Dhaka Governor House, where a closed door meeting was held by the citizens and military leadership of East Pakistan. The attack with surgical precision inspired Governor M Malik and his cabinet resignation in the United Nations, widely seen when the political structure of East Pakistan collapsed. Within 48 hours, the Pakistani Army surrendered.

In the western region of the 1971 war, the MiG -21 was mainly assigned to aerial defense, but also participated in the bold, low -level night raids. India’s strategy and air Combat Development Installation (TACDE) pilots flew deep single missions in the Pakistani region, targeting the airbase using 500 kg bombs.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, MiG -21 was central for India’s quick -reaction strategy. In the 1999 Kargil conflict, Mig-21 was one of the first fighters deployed after being involved in the IAF operation. Flying from bases like Srinagar and Avantipur, it operated the strike mission against enemy supply lines, bunkers and logistics camps at high altitude. In the absence of advanced navigation AIDS, IAF pilots rely on hand-holding GPS units and stopwatch, which targets bombs and rockets without thinking in difficult terrain. Jets also flew aerial defense and war damage evaluation trimmed. By the end of the war, MiG -21 completed over 500 strike missions and 460 air petrols.

A few weeks later, on August 10, 1999, a MiG -21 again made headlines, when it intercepted and shot a Pakistani Navy Atlantic Maritime Petrol aircraft, which was infiltrated to the Indian airspace over Kutch’s ran. The missile strike hit all 16 personnel on the ship and was seen as a clear performance of India’s air dominance in the later atmosphere of Kargil.

Two decades later, the aging fighter will once again enter the global headlines. On February 27, 2019, a day after IAF attacked terrorist camps in Balkot, Pakistan began an retaliation at LOC. A scuffle from an operational readiness stage, two MiG -21 Bison Jets intercepted the upcoming aircraft. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathman fired the R -73 missile and is credited with the shooting of Pakistani F -16. Although Abhinandan’s aircraft was also hit and captured after taking it out in LoC, three days later his return and the unexpected victory of MiG -21 became a decisive moment in contemporary IAF history.

Why did MiG -21 acquire ‘Flying Coffin’ surname?

Despite its many achievements, MiG -21 developed a disturbed security record. The aircraft’s high landing speed, limited cockpit visibility and single-engine design disable it to new pilots. Its extended use in training roles reduces these risks, due to delay in getting advanced jet trainers.

According to data reported by Indian expressMore than 500 MiG -21 have crashed in the last 60 years, claiming the lives of more than 170 pilots. In recent years, civilian casualties have also occurred, such as 2023 accidents in Rajasthan that killed three people on the ground. While the reason for technical defects and bird hits to spatial disorientation was the reason, public concern in the early 2000s reached a crasendo. It was a high accident rate due to which MiG -21 was widely dubbed “Flying Coffin”.

A case that brought the safety record of the aircraft into a national focus was the death of 2001 flight Lieutenant Abhijeet Gadgil, who was killed when his MiG -21 crashed immediately after the take -off from Suratgarh. His mother publicly challenged the IAF’s initial suggestion that the pilot was convicted, instead of technical failure. After the dispute, he got the dispute after receiving a letter from the then Inspector General of Flight Safety, accusing him of demolishing the force, a letter that was later withdrawn from the air chief with an apology.

His long campaign for accountability and better safety standards eventually inspired a major subplot in the 2006 Bollywood film Rang de Basanti,

Why is the retirement of MiG -21 so symbolic?

On September 26, 2025, MIG-21 will formally exit Indian service after more than six decades, allowing the longest serving fighter in IAF history and one of the longest fighter aircraft serving in any Air Force worldwide. The farewell ceremony in Chandigarh, where the first squadron was based, will feature a formal flypate under the leadership of a trained MiG -21 pilot, Air Head.

Once retired, airwriting aircraft will be distributed to museums and training installations. Swadeshi LCA Tejas will take its place in frontline roles, marking the innings of a generation.

The exit of MiG -21 is more than a regular retirement. This reflects the conclusion of an important chapter in India’s military history, one not only defined by combat sorters, but also with the arrival of industrial successes, diplomatic recurrence and age of Indian air power.