Final Flight: India bids farewell to MiG-21

Chandigarh, Sep 26: Chandigarh witnessed the closing of an extraordinary chapter in Indian military aviation on Friday as the Indian Air Force retired the iconic MiG-21.

Known affectionately as the “Bird of All Seasons,” the aircraft has been a symbol of India’s air power and technological evolution for over six decades. At the Decommissioning Ceremony, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid heartfelt tribute to the aircraft and the generations of air warriors who flew it.

“The legacy of the MiG-21 will live on in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta in defence. The aircraft symbolises the continuity of courage, discipline and patriotism that will inspire the development of indigenous platforms such as LCA-Tejas and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),” he said.

The MiG-21 was more than a machine; it was a trusted companion, a shield of the nation, and a foundation on which India’s fighter pilots honed their skills.

Rajnath Singh recalled its historic missions, from the 1971 war, where it flew daring sorties over Dhaka, to the Kargil conflict, the Balakot airstrike, and Operation Sindoor.

“In every historic mission, the MiG-21 carried the Tricolour with honour. Its contribution has never been limited to a single event or battle; it has been a pillar of India’s air power for decades,” he said.

Over the years, the MiG-21 evolved from a 1950s-era jet into upgraded versions known as Trishul, Vikram, Badal, and Bison.

Its adaptability allowed it to serve as an interceptor, a ground-attack platform, a frontline air defence jet, and a trainer, shaping generations of pilots.

Rajnath Singh highlighted that the jets in service until today were continuously modernised by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with advanced radars, avionics, and weapon systems keeping them operationally relevant.

The ceremony in Chandigarh, where India’s supersonic journey began with the induction of the MiG-21 into No. 28 Squadron, featured breathtaking aerial displays: MiG-21s and LCA Tejas flew in formation, Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team dazzled the crowd, and Akash Ganga skydivers painted the sky in the national colours.

A symbolic switch-off of six MiG-21 aircraft, alongside a ceremonial handover of Form-700 to the Chief of the Air Staff, marked the final operational salute.

Rajnath Singh released a commemorative stamp and day cover honouring the MiG-21, visited the Memory Lane museum, and shared a Bara Khana with veterans and serving air warriors, reinforcing the deep bond between man and machine.

He invoked Indian philosophy, reflecting on the ritual of respect for tools that serve the nation: “Just as we worship the earth, rivers, trees, and tools, today’s farewell to the MiG-21 is an act of gratitude towards a machine that protected our skies for over 60 years.”

The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Mayank Sharma, senior IAF officers, engineers, technicians, and veterans who served with the MiG-21.

As the final flypast faded into the horizon, Rajnath Singh summed up the aircraft’s enduring legacy saying, “When the world looks at India tomorrow, it should see a nation that began with the MiG-21 and now leads with futuristic defence technologies.”

The MiG-21 may have flown its last operational sortie, but its spirit, courage, and lessons will inspire India’s air power for generations to come.