MiG-21 flies through Indian skies for last time, Rajnath Singh terms it ‘national pride’
MiG-21 flies through Indian skies for last time, Rajnath Singh terms it ‘national pride’
IAF bids emotional farewell to the supersonic fighter that served India for over six decades
The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, once the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), flew across the skies for the final time on Friday (September 26, 2025), marking the end of an era in Indian military aviation.
At a grand decommissioning ceremony held at the Chandigarh Air Force Station—where the aircraft was first inducted in the 1960s—the last of the MiG-21 jets from No. 23 Squadron, nicknamed Panthers, were formally retired. The farewell included a ceremonial flypast, a majestic aerial salute, and a water cannon tribute.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the chief guest, described the MiG-21 as “a mighty machine and a national pride.” He added, “It is not just an aircraft but proof of deep India-Russia ties. The MiG-21 gave us confidence and added many proud moments in our aviation history.”
The event drew a distinguished audience, including former IAF chiefs A.Y. Tipnis, S.P. Tyagi, and B.S. Dhanoa, as well as veterans who had flown the iconic fighter. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh himself flew the final MiG-21 Bison sortie with the call sign Badal 3.
The ceremony began with a skydiving display by the IAF’s elite Akash Ganga team, followed by the MiG-21’s last flypast in Badal and Panther formations. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team added to the spectacle with breathtaking manoeuvres. Jaguar and Tejas aircraft also joined the tribute, with the indigenous Tejas symbolising India’s future air power.
Over 870 MiG-21s were inducted into the IAF since 1963, serving with distinction in the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. However, the aircraft also carried a controversial legacy due to its ageing fleet and high crash record, earning the moniker “flying coffin.”
Speaking at the Decommissioning Ceremony of the IAF MiG-21 in Chandigarh. https://t.co/5YVAwjlHPX
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 26, 2025
The MiG-21’s final operational flights had taken place last month at the Nal Air Force Station in Rajasthan, where Air Chief Marshal Singh also flew solo sorties as part of its symbolic farewell.
The retirement of India’s first supersonic fighter closes a defining chapter in the country’s aviation history, paving the way for modern platforms like Tejas to carry the legacy forward.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official statements and reports. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as an exhaustive historical account.
