The Indian Air Forces legendary MiG-21 fighter jet has retired today after decades of service, marking the end of an era in the country’s military aviation history. First inducted in the 1960s, the MiG-21 was India’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft. Over the years, it played a key role in numerous conflicts and became the backbone of the Air Force’s operations.

A grand farewell ceremony was held in Chandigarh today, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior military leaders, veterans, and families. The event marked the official retirement of the Soviet-era aircraft after 62 years of distinguished service.

As part of the ceremony, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh joined the Badal formation, flying the final sortie alongside Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, India’s seventh woman fighter pilot. The jets received a water cannon salute upon landing, and the Air Chief handed over the Form 700 logbook of the MiG-21s to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh — a tradition that signifies the end of service for any aircraft fleet.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the aircraft, saying, “For a long time, MiG-21 has been a witness to numerous heroic deeds. Its contribution has not been limited to a single event or a single war. From the 1971 war to the Kargil conflict, or from the Balakot airstrike to Operation Sindoor, there has not been a moment when the MiG-21 has not provided tremendous strength to our armed forces.”

The farewell also featured a dogfight display between MiG-21s and Jaguars, evoking memories of the 2019 Balakot airstrike, when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew the MiG-21 into combat. A special commemorative day cover was also released to mark the occasion.

Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 played pivotal roles in multiple conflicts. In the 1965 India-Pakistan war, it carried out strikes on enemy positions. In the 1971 war, its bombing of the Dhaka Governor House helped shift the war in India’s favor. Decades later, in 2019, it shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the Balakot airstrike, and more recently, it flew missions in Operation Sindoor.

With the MiG-21’s retirement, the IAF’s fighter strength has reduced to 29 squadrons, below the sanctioned 42 squadrons. This gap will gradually be filled with the induction of LCA Tejas Mk1 and Mk2 jets and additional Rafales planned for procurement in the coming years. The MiG-21 leaves behind a rich legacy as one of India’s most iconic fighter jets, remembered for its speed, agility, and decades of heroic service.