Why in News?

IAF bid farewell to Mikoyan-Gurevish MiG-21, ending over six decades of service.

• Single-engine, single-seater, multi-role supersonic fighter jet by Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau.
• Joined IAF in 1963 as an interceptor; later upgraded for ground attack and other roles; known as “bird of all seasons”.
• Variants included Trishul, Vikram, Badal, Bison with modern radars, avionics, weapons.
• Played key roles in 1971 War, Kargil conflict, Balakot airstrike & Operation Sindoor.
• Nicknamed "flying coffin" due to high crash rates.