As Operation Safed Sagar Soars on Netflix’s Global Top 10, Platform Announces The Last Salute: A Tribute to the MiG-21 Fighter Aircraft of the Indian Air Force!

As Operation Safed Sagar Soars on Netflix’s Global Top 10, Platform Announces The Last Salute: A Tribute to the MiG-21 Fighter Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

Operation Safed Sagar ranks No. 2 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV List, featuring in the Top 10 across 40 countries. From the creators of the series comes The Last Salute, a compelling documentary honoring the MiG-21’s extraordinary 62-year legacy with the Indian Air Force.

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Mumbai, August 19, 2026: Hailed by critics as a razor-sharp war drama and praised by audiences worldwide as a must-watch, Operation Safed Sagar has struck a deep chord through its gripping narrative, powerful performances, immersive aerial action, and authentic depiction of the Indian Air Force. That groundswell of appreciation has now translated into a global milestone, with the six-episode series holding a firm position on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV List for two consecutive weeks. This week, it ranks at No. 2 globally, making the Top 10 across 40 countries and holding the No. 1 spot in 10 countries!

The landmark military drama has captured hearts with its portrayal of courage, camaraderie, and selfless duty. Inspired by an extraordinary yet lesser-known chapter of the Indian Air Force’s role during the 1999 Kargil War, the show earned rare validation from the IAF itself—Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, publicly lauded the series for being “very close to reality” and accurately recreating the atmosphere of the conflict. Produced by Matchbox Shots and Feel Good Films, Operation Safed Sagar serves as a tribute to the men and women whose dedication continues to inspire the nation.

As viewers continue to celebrate Operation Safed Sagar, the legendary MiG-21 fighter aircraft stands at the heart of the show’s high-octane aerial sequences. Flown by the Golden Arrows Squadron during the Kargil War, the series also captures the last time the iconic jet was filmed in action before its retirement from active service. Following this response, Netflix is turning the spotlight toward the machine itself with The Last Salute, a poignant documentary film from the creators of Operation Safed Sagar that serves as a love letter to the MiG-21 as it bids adieu to the Indian Air Force.

Produced by Matchbox Shots and directed by Kushal Srivastava, The Last Salute premieres on Netflix on August 26. Featuring Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, alongside veteran pilots who flew the MiG-21 over decades, the documentary brings together personal memories, untold stories, and never-before-seen footage celebrating the aircraft’s enduring legacy.

Reflecting on the success of Operation Safed Sagar and the upcoming documentary, Tanya Bami, Series Head, India, Netflix, said: 

“We are so excited and humbled by the love and adulation that the show is getting from across the country, the world and the armed forces. You know a story has connected with the audience when the conversations and recommendations are palpable. Ever since its launch, Operation Safed Sagar has taken over the internet with rave reviews about the storytelling, characters, the authentic world of the Indian Air Force and the depth of research from critics and audiences alike. When a project is made with genuine passion, it resonates extraordinarily with audiences. We’ve seen this across several of our titles this year, but Operation Safed Sagar stands out as the clearest example — its reception has been nothing short of a resounding success and we are extremely thankful to the audience for making this story their symbol of national pride this Independence Day. The show is making us all extremely proud as it’s hit the #2 spot on the Global Non-English list today! It’s incredibly rewarding to see a well-told, distinctly Indian story resonate so powerfully with audiences across the globe.

And we are taking our collaboration with the IAF further through another story from this world. The MiG-21 became such an integral part of the stories we heard from pilots that we knew its legacy deserved to be explored in its own right. The Last Salute, coming to Netflix on August 26, is a tribute to its 62 years with the Indian Air Force, and to the generations of pilots for whom it became much more than an aircraft.”

Sharing his thoughts on the response and the project, Sanjay Routray, Producer, Matchbox Shots, stated:

“Operation Safed Sagar on Netflix introduced audiences to an untold and incredible chapter of the Indian Air Force’s story, and the response from around the world has been incredibly humbling. While making the series, we realised that the MiG-21 wasn’t just an aircraft, it was an emotion for generations of air warriors. The Last Salute takes that story further, exploring the extraordinary bond between the MiG-21 and the generations of fighter pilots who flew it. We hope audiences who connected with Operation Safed Sagar will now experience this deeply personal tribute to an aircraft that helped shape Indian aviation history.”

Together, Operation Safed Sagar and The Last Salute shed light on a defining era in Indian aviation history, honoring the remarkable people and machines at its core.

Operation Safed Sagar is currently streaming on Netflix.

The Last Salute premieres August 26, exclusively on Netflix.

By Keerti Kadam