About this stamp
The MiG-21
The MiG-21 was the Soviet Union’s first truly modern, second-generation jet fighter. Testing began in 1955 and the first version entered service in 1959. Its “tailed delta” design gave it speed and manoeuvrability, and over 6,000 MiG-21s of more than 12 types were flown by over three dozen nations.
In the Indian Air Force
The IAF received its first MiG-21s from the Soviet Union in 1963. Over the next 25 years more than 800 were inducted, over 500 of them built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in three variants: the MiG-21FL, MiG-21M and MiG-21 BIS. For around three decades the MiG-21 was the mainstay of the IAF’s combat fleet.
Combat Service
The MiG-21 served in the 1965 and 1971 wars, when eight squadrons scored eight air-to-air kills, and in the Kargil conflict. It was used in the air-defence role during the Balakot strikes in 2019 and during Operation Sindoor in 2025. The Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp on 8 October 2026 to honour its long service.
