As India retires the MiG-21 Fishbed, the jet’s six-decade career prompts reflection beyond its home country’s borders. For Bangladesh, memories of the 1971 Liberation War remain vivid, and the MiG-21’s role in that conflict is a defining chapter in a shared history of struggle, resilience, and the birth of a nation’s air power.

The MiG-21’s contribution to the 1971 war extended far beyond routine patrols. In the conflict’s opening days, MiG-21s struck East Pakistani airfields such as Kurmitola and Tejgaon, undermining air operations and helping to establish air superiority in the eastern theater. Perhaps the most enduring moment came on 14 December 1971, when MiG-21s conducted a high-impact strike on the Government House in Dhaka (then the Governor’s House). Pilots from No. 28 Squadron, led by Wing Commander B. K. Bishnoi, launched dive-rocket attacks using 57 mm rockets. The strike, captured by Western journalists at the Intercontinental Hotel, reportedly left the governor visibly shaken, signaling a shift in the balance of power during the last days of the war. The surrender of East Pakistani forces followed on 16 December 1971, culminating in a turning point for the birth of Bangladesh. The remark attributed to Lt. General A. A. K. Niazi at the surrender ceremony—“Because of you—the Indian Air Force”—is often cited as a blunt testament to air power’s influence in the conflict.

First inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 propelled the Indian Air Force into the supersonic era. Designed as a lightweight, single-engine interceptor, it featured short delta wings and a long fuselage, optimized for high-speed interception of strategic bombers.

Over its long service life, the MiG-21 proved startlingly versatile: it performed ground-attack missions, engaged in dogfights, conducted electronic warfare, and adapted to numerous mission profiles.

Globally, the MiG-21 became one of the most widely produced Russian jets, with more than 50 countries operating variants. India emerged as the largest single user, with numbers exceeding 700 aircraft at peak deployment.

The type’s longevity cemented its presence in air forces and popular memory alike, even as newer platforms emerged.

The Bangladesh connection: Kilo Flight and the air force’s birth

The war highlighted the emergence of the Kilo Flight, a small group of eight volunteer pilots who carried out audacious air operations from Dimapur. Their missions included parachuting relief supplies and conducting air strikes against Pakistani targets, contributing to air operations in the eastern theater at a critical juncture.

The bravery and effectiveness of the Kilo Flight and related air operations helped catalyze the formation of a fledgling national air force. After independence, these experiences influenced the evolution of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), shaping its early doctrine, structure, and aspirations.

The MiG-21’s involvement in 1971 stands as a symbol of transnational solidarity and shared struggle, marking a moment when air power played a decisive and memorable role in shaping the region’s history.

Retirement and reflection

As India retires the MiG-21—an aircraft widely praised for its performance and long service life—the broader historical significance persists. For Bangladesh and many in the region, the MiG-21’s legacy is intertwined with 1971’s sacrifices and the birth of a sovereign nation.

Analysts note that the retirement invites reflection on how air power shaped the histories of two nations and how contemporary air forces can honor past sacrifices while investing in modern capabilities.

The MiG-21’s story underscores the importance of air power in regional security dynamics, and it highlights how technology, training, and international cooperation intersected during a pivotal era.

For researchers and enthusiasts, the 1971 war remains a case study in strategic bombing, air superiority, and rapid political change catalyzed by aerial operations.

Bangladesh’s current and future air-power development continues to honor the Kilo Flight’s legacy and the broader efforts that contributed to the nation’s independence.