Reserved, Scrapped or Drones !! IAF to decide Post-retirement role of Mig-21s

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) iconic MiG-21 Bis fighter jets, a mainstay of India’s air power for decades, are set to retire by the end of 2025. As the final chapter of the MiG-21 Bis comes into view, discussions have emerged about the potential repurposing of these aircraft, with innovative but contentious proposals for their future use.

One of the most prominent suggestions is to convert the retired MiG-21 Bis aircraft into unmanned platforms to be used as aerial targets. These targets would serve as practice for India’s long-range air defence systems, particularly under Project Kusha, a DRDO-led program aimed at developing advanced air defence capabilities.