In Episode 13 of Control Alt Defence, India's leading podcast on military, aerospace and defence, hosts Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som turn their attention to the MiG-21 fighter aircraft, an icon of Indian military aviation now set for retirement. Joining them is aviation historian Anchit Gupta, whose deep research and writing on the Indian Air Force bring valuable insight into the aircraft's six-decade-long service.

The episode explores the MiG-21's complex legacy, its role in shaping India's aerial combat capabilities since 1963, its emotional and cultural resonance, and the persistent controversies around its safety record. With the last of the jets scheduled to retire by September 2025, the conversation separates fact from myth, addressing why the aircraft earned the grim nickname "flying coffin" and what truly lay behind its troubled reputation.

Far from a technical overview, this is a nuanced and historically grounded discussion about an aircraft that has been both revered and criticised, an emblem of India's past and a reflection of its long journey toward modernisation. For those seeking clarity over sentiment, this episode is essential listening.

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