The Indian Air Force is preparing for the return of the MiG-21 for the historic flights of the Heritage Flight program
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun reactivation of select MiG-21 aircraft that will join the Heritage Flight for program. The program’s mission is to keep historically significant aircraft in airworthy condition for official displays.
The decision comes a few weeks after the official retirement of the fighter jet, which was concluded with a celebratory ceremony on 26 September 2025 at the Chandigarh air base.
The aim of the initiative is to preserve the role of the MiG-21 in military aviation history in India and to emphasize the significant tasks it has performed since the 1960s. The reactivated aircraft are expected to participate in national parades, air shows and holiday flyovers, enriching the program’s educational collection.
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Heritage Flight expands its historic fleet
The program operates from Hindon Air Force Base near New Delhi and already includes such historic aircraft as the de Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth, the T-6G Harvard and the Douglas C-47 Dakota. These types from the 1930s and 1940s are regularly used at official events including Republic Day and Vijay Diwas celebrations.
The addition of the MiG-21 — retired Bison — marks the arrival of the first supersonic fighter in Heritage Flight’s fleet, adding a technological milestone to a collection of mainly propeller-driven aircraft.
Inspection and maintenance of aircraft
The structural condition of the aircraft stored at Nashik is being examined and their minimum airworthiness requirements are being determined. Machines that meet the specifications undergo maintenance work before entering the program.
The IAF has all the infrastructure and expertise required to operate the MiG-21. The type was operated from the 1960s by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) produced under license in India, where more than 870 copies were made. As a result, an extensive parts, engine and technical support ecosystem has developed. Engines and parts are still available at facilities such as the Koraput factory, which has been involved in the type’s maintenance cycle for decades.
Official Farewell in Chandigarh
The MiG-21 retirement ceremony was held in Chandigarh, where the aircraft was commissioned in 1963 by No. 51 Squadron. The event brought together servicemen and veterans and capped more than six decades of service in which the fighter jet participated in combat deployments and air defense missions.
Distribution of trunks for exhibition purposes
In addition to units returning to flight, the Indian Air Force also hands over decommissioned fuselages to schools, museums and government institutions for static display purposes. Models are delivered without engines, avionics and weapon systems. Government institutions get them for free, while private applicants pay a fee of around Rs 30 lakh each.
Source and Images: Indian Air Force | Wikimedia. This content is generated using artificial intelligence and has undergone editorial review.
