Store
GS3 · Defence

MiG-21 retires after six decades

1 min readNavy & Aircraft
Battle IAS current affairs title card: MiG-21 retires after six decades (GS3 · Defence, 26 September 2025)

What happened

  • The IAF decommissioned the MiG-21 at Chandigarh on 26 September 2025 [PIB].
  • About 850 of the more than 11,500 MiG-21s built worldwide served with the IAF [PIB].

Background

  • The Raksha Mantri linked its legacy to LCA-Tejas and the upcoming AMCA [PIB].

Why it matters

  • Retirement adds pressure on squadron numbers until Tejas deliveries pick up.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Security; indigenisation of technology

  1. As per PIB (2025-09-26): the IAF decommissioned the MiG-21 at Chandigarh on 26 September 2025.
  2. Retirement adds pressure on squadron numbers until Tejas deliveries pick up.
Quotable data point

About 850 of the more than 11,500 MiG-21s built worldwide served with the IAF.

PIB: MiG-21 decommissioning, 26 Sep 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: MiG-21.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

MiG-21s that served the IAF

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Official source: PIB: MiG-21 decommissioning, 26 Sep 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending