After 62 years of service, the Indian Air Force will bid farewell to its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets at a grand decommissioning ceremony in Chandigarh on Friday. These Russian-origin supersonic jets have been a cornerstone of India’s air power since the 1960s.
A Historic Send-Off
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh will fly the last sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft, marking the culmination of decades of operational service. The ceremony will include a ceremonial flypast, a water cannon salute, and the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the chief guest.
Among the pilots participating will be Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, who will be remembered as the last woman fighter pilot to fly the MiG-21. The number 23 Squadron, nicknamed ‘Panthers,’ will take part in the farewell.
A Legacy of Service
The MiG-21 has played a pivotal role in India’s military history. More than 870 jets were inducted over the decades, forming the backbone of the IAF during key conflicts including the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.
The aircraft, celebrated for its agility and combat capabilities, was also involved in multiple accidents over the years, drawing attention to the challenges of operating an aging fleet.
A Ceremony of Remembrance
Friday’s event will see the presence of top defence officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and six former IAF chiefs. Representatives from the Defence Ministry, DRDO, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will also attend.
A full dress rehearsal was conducted on Wednesday at the Chandigarh Air Force Station. The ceremony will feature flypasts by the Jaguar and Tejas aircraft, highlighting the transition to modern Indian fighters.
Looking Back
The MiG-21’s final operational flights were conducted at the Nal Air Force Station in Bikaner a month before the official retirement. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh’s solo sorties on August 18-19 marked a poignant farewell for the jets that served generations of IAF pilots.
In a tribute posted on X, the IAF said, “Six decades of service, countless tales of courage, a warhorse that carried pride of a nation into the skies.”
The retirement of the MiG-21 closes a significant chapter in India’s air power history while paving the way for next-generation fighters like the Tejas to take the lead in India’s defence strategy.
