The Indian Air Force’s legendary MiG-21, the nation’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor, was formally retired at a ceremonial farewell in Chandigarh on Friday, drawing the curtain on 62 years of distinguished service.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior IAF leadership, veterans, and families of air warriors attended the decommissioning ceremony, which celebrated the iconic aircraft’s enduring legacy. “Today, 26th September, I shall be in Chandigarh. Shall attend the Decommissioning ceremony of IAF’s MiG-21. Looking forward to it,” Singh posted on X ahead of the event.
The farewell featured a grand flypast with MiG-21s leading the Badal and Panther formations, joined by Jaguars and the Suryakiran aerobatic team. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew in formation alongside Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, underscoring the significance of the occasion. A simulated dogfight between MiG-21s and Jaguars recalled the aircraft’s role in the 2019 Balakot airstrike, when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman famously engaged a Pakistani F-16. The jets also received a ceremonial water-cannon salute, and in a symbolic gesture, the Air Chief handed over the aircraft’s Form 700 logbook to the Defence Minister, formally closing a chapter in Indian military aviation. A special commemorative postal cover was also released to mark the occasion.
A Storied Legacy
Since its induction in 1963, the MiG-21 has been at the forefront of India’s aerial combat history. It played a decisive role in the 1965 war with Pakistan and, during the 1971 conflict, struck the Governor’s House in Dhaka, a pivotal moment that accelerated the war’s outcome. In more recent history, it etched its place in the annals of air combat by downing a Pakistani F-16 in the aftermath of the Balakot strike. The aircraft was also deployed effectively during Operation Sindoor, further extending its operational relevance.
The Road Ahead
With the MiG-21’s retirement, the IAF’s fighter strength reduces to 29 squadrons, considerably short of the sanctioned 42. This shortfall is expected to be addressed through the phased induction of Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2 aircraft, along with additional Rafale fighters.
The farewell to the MiG-21 marks not just the retirement of an aircraft but the end of an era—one that defined India’s air power for over six decades and shaped its place in global military aviation.
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