How Tejas Mk-1A deliveries in October 2025 mark IAF’s revival post-MiG-21 retirement. Explore India’s air force modernization.

Image: Tejas Mk-1A in action, symbolizing India’s indigenous aviation resurgence.

Introduction: The End of an Era for the MiG-21 – India’s ‘Flying Coffin’ Takes Its Last Flight

On September 26, 2025, at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, the roar of MiG-21 Bison engines echoed one final time during a poignant farewell ceremony. Water jets arched skyward as the last squadron – No. 23 “Panthers” – taxied in for decommissioning, marking the retirement of an aircraft that defined six decades of Indian Air Force (IAF) history. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the gathering, called the MiG-21 “family members” of the IAF, honoring the “courage, sacrifice, and excellence” of its pilots who flew over 700 variants since 1963.

Inducted as India’s first supersonic fighter, the MiG-21 earned nicknames like “First Supersonics” for No. 28 Squadron and starred in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, 2019 Balakot strikes, and Operation Sindoor, a topic we’ve covered in our analysis of India’s missile defense evolution. Yet, its legacy is bittersweet. Dubbed the “flying coffin” due to over 400 crashes and 200+ pilot losses, its outdated avionics and airframe outlived its 20-25 year design life. As one X post noted post-ceremony: “MiG-21 retires after 62 years – a legend that flew too long, but with unmatched spirit.”

This retirement leaves the IAF at 29 squadrons against a sanctioned 42. But hope rises with the Tejas Mk-1A, delivering in October 2025 from HAL, a cornerstone of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a successor to the MiG-21’s light combat role. Let’s explore this pivotal shift.

The MiG-21 to Tejas Transition: From Soviet Workhorse to Indigenous Powerhouse

The MiG-21’s 1963 induction marked India’s shift to Soviet designs, with HAL producing over 700 units. Its Mach 2 speed and 1,100 km combat radius shone in dogfights, notably Kargil. But by 2025, despite Bison upgrades (R-73 missiles, helmet sights), crashes like Nal’s August 2025 tragedy exposed its obsolescence. The final phase-out in 2025, after 2024 retirements, strains IAF’s edge against China’s J-10Cs.

The Tejas Mk-1A, HAL’s light combat aircraft, steps in. Despite delays (first flight 2024, GE F404-IN20 engines March 2025), HAL confirms two jets for October 2025 from Nashik. X buzz confirms: “Tejas Mk-1A weapons trials done – Astra, ASRAAM firings nailed!” With 70% indigenous content, Uttam AESA radar, and 10 hardpoints for BrahMos-NG and Astra Mk-1/2, Tejas outclasses MiG-21’s 4 hardpoints. Its fly-by-wire agility and net-centric warfare integration mark a leap in BVR combat. For more on cutting-edge tech, read our Directed Energy Weapons in Indian Defence explainer.

IAF Modernization in 2025: Aatmanirbhar Bharat Takes Flight

The IAF’s 29 squadrons – a historic low – face pressure from China and Pakistan’s JF-17 Block III. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, after a final MiG sortie in August 2025, stressed faster Tejas inductions. 2025’s plan: 83 Tejas Mk-1A (₹48,000 crore), 97 more from FY27 (₹62,370 crore), and 114 MRFA jets (Rafale/F-21). HAL’s Nashik line, with Tata and L&T, targets 24 jets/year by 2026. Learn more about procurement in our Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) in India.

The AMCA stealth fighter, India’s 5th-gen leap, is next – dive into its timeline in our AMCA Complete Guide. X analyst @ShivAroor urges skipping foreign stopgaps for AMCA by 2035.

Conclusion: Wings of the Future – What’s Next for the IAF?

The MiG-21’s September 26, 2025, farewell closes a chapter, but Tejas Mk-1A’s October deliveries – with AESA and Astra – herald revival. HAL must deliver 16-24 jets annually to hit 35+ squadrons by 2030. Air Marshal AK Bharti calls for 6th-gen investments now. For a lighter take, check our 10 Fun Facts About India’s Elite Special Forces.

What’s Next for IAF? Our series starts next week, covering MRFA, AMCA, and squadrons.

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