Iconic MiG-21 fighters are set to become history, while the IAF faces an aircraft shortage

By September, the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) remaining 40 of the most celebrated warplanes and India’s first supersonic fighter jet—the Russian-origin MiG-21—will retire from service. That will deplete the firepower and war readiness of the IAF, which is now struggling to get adequate fourth- and fifth generation replacements for the retiring warhorses like MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Jaguars and Mirages.    

The saga of MiG-21s

The Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG-21), a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau of the erstwhile Soviet Union, was first introduced in 1959. Following the India-China tensions, the Indian government decided to bring MiG-21s into India; they were first inducted in 1963. Of the 900-plus MiG-21 and its variants used since then by the IAF, about 840 were made in India.

Since the first Chinese conflict, the MiG-21and its variants have proved their mettle, as the IAF was earlier reliant on old-generation fighters like the Vampire FBMk.52 and Gnats. By the start of the 1970s India modernised its old Gnats and advanced MiG-21FLs were introduced, besides inducting the Sukhoi Su-7BM. The MiG-21 also triggered the indigenous manufacturing and assembling of fighter jets. By the mid-1970s, the IAF got aircraft like the Jaguar, the MiG-29s, and the Mirage 2000. But the MiGs remained India's main air firepower.

The MiG-21s played a restricted role in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, as their numbers were limited. They, however, played a crucial role in the 1971 war, giving the IAF air superiority over vital points and areas on the western border. In the first-ever supersonic air combat over the sub-continent in 1971, an Indian MIG-21FL shot down a PAF F-104 Starfighter with its internal twin-barrelled guns. By the end of the 1971 war, the IAF Mig-21s had claimed four Pakistani F-104s, two F-6s, one F-86 Sabre and a Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The pinpoint accuracy attack on the Governor's House at Dhaka by IAF pilots flying the Mig-21s proved to be a turning point in the war, forcing the adversary to negotiate an eventual surrender, say military historians.

The MiG-21 was also fielded in the 1999 Kargil war, as it was often the first choice of commanders for its unmatched flexibility, high agility, fast acceleration and quick turnaround skills. During the conflict, the MiGs and Mirages provided precision air support in Operation Safedsagar in high-altitude terrain. With the old fighters causing accidents, the IAF slowly grounded MiG squadrons and replaced them with Sukhois.

IAF’s requirement

The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) estimates the IAF currently has an active inventory of 1,716 aircraft. Of these, 542 are fighters, 498 are helicopters, 282 are transport aircraft, and 272 are trainer aircraft. Of the 542 fighters, 259 are Russian Su-30MKI multirole fighters, the largest fleet. Apart from 79 attack Jaguar IS, the IAF has 40 MiG-21 interceptors and 40 MiG-29 multirole fighters. Besides, the IAF has 37 M2000H bombers, 31 multirole Tejas MK-1s, 28 Rafales, 12 MIG-29 UPGs, 8 multirole Rafale DHs, and 8 Jaguar Ms for maritime strike. The 349 aircraft on order, which are set to be delivered in the current procurement year or the subsequent years, include the domestically made Tejas—73 Tejas MK-1s and 14 Tejas MK1.IT fighter trainers, says WDMMA.

HAL's dilemma

The Tejas MK-1 is an indigenously developed fourth-generation single-engine, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). With a view to replace old fighters, Tejas, the smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic fighter jets, made its first flight in 2001 and entered into service with the IAF in 2015. It has three variants—Mark 1, Mark 1A and a trainer/light attack variant. HAL is also developing a heavier and advanced Tejas Mark 2.

The IAF has currently placed an order for 123 Tejas aircrafts and is planning to procure 97 more aircraft. On February 3, 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL for the first large order of 83 Tejas MK-1s at a cost of almost ₹48,000 crore. On April 12, 2024, the MoD issued a ₹65,000-crore ($7.7 billion) tender to HAL for another 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets.

The IAF wants to have at least 324 aircraft or 18 squadrons of Tejas in all variants, but so far has only two Tejas Mark 1 squadrons in operation. As of May 2025, the IAF has received 36 Tejas fighter jets, for an order that comprises 32 single-seat fighters and 8 twin-seat trainers. The remaining four aircraft are yet to be delivered. The main issue faced by HAL, which has set up multiple units in Bengaluru and Nashik for production, is the inability of the U.S.-based General Electric to supply the engines (GE F404-IN20) on time due to multiple issues, including supply chain problems. Sources say the production schedule is running behind by many months. Sources say GE now promises to deliver two engines per month from July 2025 to March 2026. That may help IAF replace the historic MiGs with India-made Tejas fighters in the coming years.