Indian Air Force prepares the return of the MiG-21 for historical flights under the Heritage Flight program
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun the process of reactivating selected MiG-21 aircraft, which will join the Heritage Flight program, responsible for maintaining historical models in flying condition for official presentations.
The decision comes weeks after the aircraft’s operational retirement, marked by a ceremony held on 26 September 2025 at Chandigarh Air Base.
The goal of the initiative is to preserve the MiG-21’s legacy in Indian military aviation, reinforcing its historical role in missions since the 1960s. The reactivated aircraft are expected to participate in events such as national parades, air demonstrations and commemorative flyovers, expanding the program’s educational collection.
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Heritage Flight expands its historical fleet
The program operates from Hindon Air Base near New Delhi and already includes historically significant aircraft such as the de Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth, the T-6G Harvard and the Douglas C-47 Dakota. These models, dating from the 1930s and 1940s, are regularly used in official events, including Republic Day and Vijay Diwas.
The incorporation of the MiG-21 — which ended its service under the designation Bison — marks the addition of the first supersonic fighter to the Heritage Flight lineup, adding a technological milestone to a fleet composed predominantly of propeller aircraft.
Aircraft inspection and maintenance
Units stored at the Nashik depot are undergoing inspection procedures to assess structural conditions and determine minimum flightworthiness requirements. Aircraft approved in this phase will receive maintenance to meet safety standards before joining the program.
The IAF has the infrastructure and technical expertise to operate the MiG-21. Produced under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) since the 1960s, more than 870 units were manufactured in India, establishing a consolidated ecosystem of parts, engines and technical support. Engines and components remain available at facilities such as the Koraput factory, which was involved in the model’s maintenance cycle for decades.
Official farewell in Chandigarh
The MiG-21 retirement ceremony took place in Chandigarh, where the aircraft was incorporated into the IAF in 1963 by the 51st Squadron. The event brought together service members and veterans and marked the end of more than six decades of service, during which the fighter took part in combat operations and air-defence missions.
Distribution of airframes for exhibition
In addition to returning some units to flight, the Indian Air Force is also allocating decommissioned airframes to schools, museums and government institutions for static display. The models are delivered without engines, avionics or weapons systems. Public institutions receive them free of charge, while private applicants pay a fee of approximately 300,000 rupees per unit.
Source and images: Indian Air Force | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
