IAF Chief AP Singh Flies MiG-21 Jet In Rare Sortie Before Official Phase-Out | Watch

Last Updated:August 25, 2025, 18:07 IST

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took a few sorties in the MiG-21 fighter jets, which will be officially phased out on September 26, marking the end of a six-decade association.

Air Chief Marshal Ap Singh taking a sortie in the MiG-21 fighter jet. (IAF)

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and pilots of the Indian Air Force took a few sorties in the last of the legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets, marking an emotional moment ahead of the official retirement of the fighter jets next month.

The Indian Air Force’s MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been the heart of India’s combat aviation for more than six decades, made their final operational flights at the Nal Air Force Station in Bikaner on August 18 and 19, a month ahead of the formal retirement ceremony to be held in Chandigarh on September 26.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew solo sorties of the ageing supersonic jet last weekend at an event marking the beginning of the end of a six-decade association with the MiG-21.

“The MiG-21 has been the workhorse of the IAF since its induction in the 1960s and we are still continuing with it. It is one of the most mass-produced supersonic fighter jets in history, with over 11,000 aircraft operated by more than 60 countries,” he told reporters after his sortie. “It’s an amazing aircraft to fly. It will be missed by all who flew it.”

“It’s an amazing aircraft to fly, very agile and manoeuvrable, and it has been the workhorse of the IAF since the 1960s. But now it is time to move on to newer platforms like the Tejas and Rafale,” he said, noting its ageing technology.

The Indian Air Force said, “Honouring the enduring legacy of MiG-21, the Chief of the Air Staff visited No. 23 Sqn “Panthers”, the last squadron operating the legendary fighter. The CAS flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Sqn Ldr Priya, symbolising both tradition and transformation. On 26 Sep 2025, the MiG-21 retires after six decades of glorious service in the IAF.”

Legacy Of MiG-21

Inducted in 1963 as the country’s first supersonic fighter jet, the MiG-21 became a symbol of national pride, playing a decisive role in the fierce dogfights of the India-Pakistan war in 1965, to the high-stakes interception during the 2019 Balakot air strikes.

IAF spokesperson Jaideep Singh said, “MiG-21 has a history of shooting down all generations of aircraft. And the last one was the F-16, which was shot down. It had also shot down, in the 1971 war, the F-104s. The way the Indian Air Force has utilised the MiG-21 operationally, none of the air forces in the world have utilised this.”

However, the aircraft’s ageing design and reliability issues have led to a disturbingly high crash rate, with over 400 accidents in 62 years of its service that has claimed the lives of over 200 pilots and 60 civilians.

After its first induction in the 1960s, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess. The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, will be given a farewell at a ceremony in Chandigarh airbase next month.

The MiG-21 participated in all major military operations since its induction, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and were instrumental in achieving air superiority during those conflicts.

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

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Bikaner, India, India

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