India's MiG-21 Fighter Jet Completes 60 Years of Service

India's MiG-21 fighter aircraft completed 60 years of service on March 1 making it one of the longest serving aircraft in any air force in the world.
"Acquired in March 1963, the MiG-21, a legendary fighter & the first supersonic aircraft in the IAF inventory has completed 60 years today," the Indian Air Force (IAF) said in a tweet.
Hero of the 1971 War & upgraded over the years to undertake multiple combat roles, the aircraft continues to serve the nation even today, the IAF said.

On the occasion of the IAF No 28 Squadron 'FIRST SUPERSONICS' completing 60 years, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Air Marshal PM Sinha flew in a large force engagement exercise comprising of a formation of 14 MiG-29 aircraft on Thursday, the IAF added.
According to open source information, Since 1963, the IAF is known to have acquired and operated some 1200 aircraft of which some 125 aircraft, upgraded to the Bison standard still remain in operation.
The MiG-21s have participated in several wars including the 1971 Into-Pak war and the 1999 Kargil war. Most recently, MiG-21 were involved in the 2019 Balakot air strikes.