‘So Long, Farewell’: IAF’s Iconic MiG-21 Retires After Ruling Skies For 62 Years

The Indian Air Force on Friday bid a ceremonial adieu to its iconic MiG-21 fighter jet, the nation’s first supersonic interceptor, closing a glorious chapter in military aviation history after 62 years of distinguished service . A grand decommissioning ceremony was held at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, top military brass, and veterans, to honour the legendary aircraft that has been the backbone of India’s air power for decades .

The poignant farewell was marked by a spectacular flypast, featuring the retiring MiG-21s leading the ‘Badal’ and ‘Panther’ formations, accompanied by Jaguars and the Suryakiran aerobatic team . In a fitting tribute, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself flew in the Badal formation alongside Squadron Leader Priya Sharma .

The event also included a simulated dogfight between a MiG-21 and a Jaguar, recreating the jet’s famous engagement with a Pakistani F-16 during the 2019 Balakot conflict . The ceremony concluded with the retiring jets receiving a traditional water cannon salute, and in a symbolic gesture, the Air Chief handed over the aircraft’s logbook to the Defence Minister, officially marking the end of an era .

Since its induction in 1963, the Soviet-origin MiG-21 has played a decisive role in every major conflict involving India . It first saw action in the 1965 war with Pakistan and was instrumental during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, where its bombing of the Governor’s House in Dhaka proved to be a turning point . More recently, the ageing warhorse cemented its legacy by shooting down a technologically superior Pakistani F-16 in 2019 and was effectively deployed during the 2025 Operation Sindoor .

The retirement of the last two MiG-21 squadrons, however, temporarily reduces the IAF’s fighter strength to 29 squadrons, significantly below the sanctioned strength of 42 . This gap is expected to be filled by the induction of the indigenously developed Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2 aircraft, along with the planned procurement of additional Rafale fighters in the coming years