In brief
The MiG-21, India's iconic and controversial fighter jet, is set to retire after over six decades of service. Despite its glory days during numerous conflicts, the aircraft’s history is marred by a high crash rate, earning it the nickname 'flying coffin' among airmen. As it takes its last flight, veterans share their contrasting memories of admiration and concern about its legacy.
The first time he throttled the MiG‑21 to full power, soaring 20km above the Earth at twice the speed of sound, the young fighter pilot felt utterly weightless, as if the sky itself had let him go.
At Mach 2 you can feel the lightness in the stomach. The MiG‑21's turns at that speed are vast - banking sharply can carry you over many kilometres before completing a full arc, recalls Air Marshal (retired) Prithvi Singh Brar. He joined the Air Force in 1960, switched to the Soviet jet in 1966, and flew it for the next 26 years.
After six decades of admiration - and later, infamy - India's most iconic warplane is finally taking its last flight on Friday. The MiG‑21 was the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), making up two-thirds of its fighter fleet. It inspired fierce loyalty among its pilots, yet also acquired the grim nickname flying coffin after a series of deadly crashes in its twilight years.
According to official figures, between 1966 and 1980, India procured 872 MiG aircraft of various models. Between 1971‑72 and April 2012, 482 MiG crashes were recorded, claiming 171 pilots, 39 civilians, and eight service personnel, attributed to both human error and technical defects.
Designed by the Soviets and first inducted in 1963, the needle-nosed MiG-21 was razor-slim, blisteringly fast and could climb with ferocious speed. It became the cornerstone of IAF squadrons, prized for its versatility across multiple combat roles.
Despite the sweat-inducing cockpit and challenging landings, veterans recall their bond with the MiG-21 fondly. However, as the last squadron retires, India questions its military readiness compared to sanctioned units, and for the pilots, the MiG-21 will always be more than an aircraft; it was a partner in the sky.
