‘Flying coffin’? IAF veterans defend MiG-21’s safety record in Netflix’s The Last Salute

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) iconic MiG-21 fighter jet has been the subject of much debate, particularly after Netflix's documentary "The Last Salute" highlighted its 62-year journey with the IAF. While the MiG-21 served through wars and conflicts, its long service was marred by a significant number of accidents, leading to its nickname, the "flying coffin."

Former Air Force officers have defended the MiG-21's safety record, arguing that it needs to be viewed in the context of how extensively the aircraft was flown. BS Dhanoa, who flew the MiG-21 for 1,000 hours without an accident, points out that the aircraft's safety record is comparable to other IAF fighter jets. He emphasizes that the accidents were often due to bird hits, which are common in single-engine aircraft and resulted in safe ejections by the pilots.

Air Marshal (Retd) NJS Dhillon stresses that the "flying coffin" image should not be taken at face value. He argues that the aircraft's extraordinarily long service with the IAF disproves the media's portrayal of it as unsafe. Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, a pilot who flew the MiG-21 during its final chapter, understands the pain of criticism, as it can be particularly demoralizing for those who have operated the aircraft.

The MiG-21 was inducted into the IAF in 1963 and operated more than 700 aircraft across different variants. After six decades of service, the final two MiG-21 squadrons were decommissioned in September 2025, marking the end of an era. The decision to retire the aircraft is likened to losing a close relationship, with Wing Commander Sunil Yadav expressing his disappointment at saying goodbye to the MiG-21.