NEW DELHI, Continuing its transition to newer aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has retired another squadron of the Soviet-era MiG 21 fighter jets.

According to Kashmir Media Service, a spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of Defence shared that the 4th squadron of the IAF, based at Uttarlai near Barmer in Rajasthan state, has phased out the MiG 21 squadron. It will now be operating a Sukhoi 30-MKI squadron. Currently, the IAF still operates two MiG 21 squadrons, which are slated for decommissioning next year.

The Number 4 squadron, known as ‘Oorials’, has been a part of IAF’s fleet since 1966, flying various versions of the MiG-21. The aircraft has served the IAF for almost six decades. It’s worth noting that the MiG-21 has faced considerable criticism for its safety record. Over 400 of these aircraft have crashed in the past 60 years, causing numerous fatalities among pilots and civilians. More than half of the IAF’s MiG-21s were manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with approximately half of those crashing. Despite its checkered history, the aircraft underwent upgrades in 2000, including improved sensors and weaponry. One such modified MiG-21 was involved in the 2019 incident in which Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was shot down by Pakistani forces. Over the last four years, the IAF has reported 45 aircraft crashes, including six MiG-21 Bison crashes in just the past 20 months.

Given the frequent accidents, the MiG-21s have earned unsettling nicknames like “flying coffins” due to their compromised safety record.