The Indian Air Force (IAF) officially bid farewell to the MiG-21, India’s first supersonic fighter jet, at an emotional ceremony in Chandigarh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top military officials joined veterans to mark the end of the MiG-21’s remarkable 62-year career, a period in which the aircraft shaped the IAF’s history and India’s defense narrative.
Inducted in 1963, the Soviet-designed MiG-21 became the backbone of the Indian Air Force, playing decisive roles in the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. More than 870 of these jets served India, their speed and reliability making them legendary in the subcontinent’s aviation history.
The grand retirement ceremony was held at Chandigarh Air Force Station. Highlights included a spectacular flypast featuring MiG-21s, Jaguars, and the Surya Kiran aerobatic team. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh symbolically handed over the MiG-21’s logbook to Defence Minister Singh, marking the closing of an iconic chapter.
Rajnath Singh called the MiG-21 “a national pride and a family member,” underscoring its role in strengthening India’s air defences and forging critical military ties with Russia. Despite their valor, the jets became known for a troubled safety record in later years, leading to their phased withdrawal.
As the MiG-21 retires, India is building a new future with modern, indigenous fighters like the Tejas. Many retired MiG-21s will be preserved in museums or used for training, ensuring their story inspires generations to come.
With this farewell, India celebrates not just an aircraft, but a symbol of courage and technological progress that soared across its skies for over six decades.
