In brief
The MiG-21, known for its speed and versatility, has been a crucial component of the Indian Air Force since its induction in the 1960s. Despite its iconic status, the aircraft has faced scrutiny for numerous crashes, earning it the nickname 'flying coffin.' As the MiG-21 takes its last flight, pilots reflect on their complex relationship with the jet, balancing fond memories with its troubled history.
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, who flew the MiG-21 for 26 years. After six decades of admiration - and later, infamy - India's most iconic warplane is finally taking its last flight on Friday. At its peak, the MiG‑21 was the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), making up two-thirds of its fighter fleet. However, it acquired the grim nickname 'flying coffin' after a series of deadly crashes in its twilight years. Since its introduction in 1963, the MiG-21 has been involved in numerous conflicts and has a remarkable operational history, being among the most widely used supersonic jets globally. Nevertheless, it has faced serious criticism for its high crash rates, with over 480 documented incidents leading to significant pilot and civilian casualties.Despite its chequered legacy, pilots recall a strong bond with the MiG‑21, feeling it was more than just a machine - it was a partner in the sky. Air Marshal Brar reflects on his last sortie in the MiG-21, calling it a 'beautiful airplane' that cemented his career as a pilot. With the retirement of the MiG-21, India faces the challenge of maintaining its fighter fleet as it transitions to new technology. As the country shifts away from the MiG-21 era, it does so with mixed feelings, honoring the jet's storied past while acknowledging the need for modernization.
