Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 08:41am on 22 Jul 2025,Tuesday Defence
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire all MiG-21 Bison fighter jets by the end of 2025, marking the end of an era. These jets, introduced in 1963, have served for over six decades and played a key role in the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The IAF has already phased out three MiG-21 squadrons since 2022, with the final unit, based in Rajasthan’s Nal, set to retire by year-end. Known for both their legacy and accident record, the MiG-21s are being replaced with advanced aircraft like the Tejas. The decision is part of IAF's larger modernisation and fleet upgrade strategy. (PC: The Sunday Guardian & AFP)
