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The farewell will be marked by an elaborate flypast, featuring MiG-21s, Jaguars, and the Suryakiran aerobatic team
IAF’s MiG-21 passes near Sukhoi-30 fighter jets | AFP Image
The Indian Air Force’s legendary MiG-21, the country’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor, is set to retire today after 62 years of frontline service.
Inducted in the early 1960s, the jet has been a cornerstone of India’s air power and has left an indelible mark on the nation’s military aviation history.
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A formal decommissioning ceremony is set to be held in Chandigarh, which will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior IAF officials, veterans, and families of air warriors.
“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 will be marked by an elaborate flypast, featuring MiG-21s, Jaguars, and the Suryakiran aerobatic team.
The MiG-21s will be leading the Badal and Panther formations, with Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself joining the Badal formation alongside Squadron Leader Priya Sharma.
A simulated dogfight between MiG-21s and Jaguars is part of the programme, intended to recall the jet’s role during the 2019 Balakot airstrike, when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman famously engaged a Pakistani F-16.
The jets will also receive a ceremonial water cannon salute, and in a symbolic gesture, the Air Chief will hand over the aircraft’s Form 700 logbook to the Defence Minister, marking the close of an era.
A special commemorative postal cover is also being released.
MiG-21’s Legacy
Since its induction in 1963, the MiG-21 has played a decisive role in key conflicts.
It saw action in the 1965 war with Pakistan and in 1971 struck the Governor’s House in Dhaka, a turning point in the conflict.
Decades later, it shot down a Pakistani F-16 in the aftermath of the Balakot strike, cementing its legacy. Most recently, the aircraft was deployed effectively during Operation Sindoor.
With the MiG-21’s retirement, the IAF’s fighter strength will drop to 29 squadrons, well short of the sanctioned 42.
This gap is expected to be filled gradually with the induction of Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2 aircraft, as well as additional Rafale fighters in the pipeline.
September 26, 2025, 10:16 IST
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