India bids emotional farewell to MiG-21 after six decades of service
Chandigarh, September 26. The Indian Air Force (IAF) formally bid farewell to its iconic MiG-21 fighter aircraft at a solemn decommissioning ceremony in Chandigarh on September 26, marking the end of a six-decade-long chapter in India’s military aviation history.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who presided over the event, described the MiG-21 as a “symbol of courage, discipline and patriotism” and said its legacy would live on in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence.
“The MiG-21 taught us never to fear change but to embrace it with confidence. Its legacy will inspire the development of indigenous platforms such as LCA Tejas and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),” Rajnath Singh said, adding that when the world looks at India in the future, it should see “a nation that began with the MiG-21 and now leads with futuristic defence technologies”.
Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 served as the backbone of the IAF for decades, with around 850 aircraft flying in Indian colours out of more than 11,500 produced globally. Singh hailed the jet as more than just a machine, calling it a “shield of national defence and a faithful companion of the armed forces”.
Recalling its battlefield record, the Defence Minister highlighted the aircraft’s decisive role in the 1971 war, its contribution during the Kargil conflict, the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor.
“In every historic mission, the MiG-21 carried the Tricolour with honour. It has been a pillar of India’s air power for generations,” he noted.
Singh also praised the aircraft’s versatility, dubbing it the “bird of all seasons” for its effectiveness as an interceptor, ground-attack fighter, frontline air defence jet and trainer. Generations of IAF pilots, he said, laid the foundation of their careers on the MiG-21, learning to adapt and excel in the most demanding conditions.
Addressing criticisms about the age of the aircraft, Singh clarified that the MiG-21s in service until now were no older than 40 years, a standard operational life for fighter jets worldwide. He credited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with keeping the fleet relevant through regular upgrades in avionics, radars and weapon systems.
The Defence Minister likened the farewell to India’s cultural ethos of reverence for objects that serve the nation.
“Today’s farewell to the MiG-21 is an act of gratitude towards a machine that protected our skies and inspired confidence in our people for over 60 years,” he said.
Chandigarh held special significance as the venue for the ceremony, being home to No. 28 Squadron – the ‘First Supersonics’ – where the MiG-21 began its service.
The send-off featured a grand aerial display led by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, including skydiving by Akash Ganga, formation take-offs, precision drills, and aerobatics by the Surya Kiran team. A symbolic flypast showcased Jaguars and MiG-21s recreating combat air patrol missions, while a joint MiG-21 and LCA Tejas formation underscored the transition from the legendary Bison to India’s homegrown fighter.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic switch-off of six MiG-21 aircraft, after which the aircraft’s official logbook was handed over to the Air Chief. Singh also released a commemorative stamp and day cover, visited the MiG-21 “Memory Lane” museum, and shared a traditional ‘Bara Khana’ meal with air warriors and veterans.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Army Chief Geneneral Upendra Dwivedi, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat, and senior defence officials joined the gathering, along with veterans and ground crew who had served on the MiG-21 over its storied operational life.
