After nearly 60 years of service, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has retired its iconic MiG-21 fighter jet. The last sortie took place in Chandigarh on Friday during a special decommissioning ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The MiG-21 has been the backbone of India’s aerial power since 1963. It trained generations of pilots, fought in several wars, and stood as a symbol of courage and resilience.
A Journey That Began in 1963
India inducted the MiG-21 in 1963. It became the first supersonic jet in the Indian Air Force. The aircraft played a major role in the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil War, and several other operations.
#WATCH | Chandigarh | MIG-21 aircraft flies in formation with indigenous Tejas Aircraft, giving out the message ‘I hand over the glory to the next lineage’.
MiG-21s were inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963, and will be decommissioned today after 63 years of service. pic.twitter.com/pXwDmDb5fx
— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025
Squadron Leader SS Tyagi (Retd.) recalled its contribution, “We passed on our learnings to our juniors. Amid all the lessons and training, my flying hours kept increasing. I had never thought I had to reach this milestone… MiG-21 actually participated in a war in 1971, where it did rocketry, gunnery, dropped bombs, and achieved various targets in Dhaka… I would give 80 per cent of the credit to MIG-21 for our victory in 1971.”
Historic Combat Role
The MiG-21 proved itself in every war it took part in. Wing Commander Singh highlighted that in the 1971 war, MiG-21 was fully deployed. We have used them extensively in that war. It was used in a bombing role, notably one was bombing on Tej Gaon and Kurmitola airfield. In East Pakistan, most of the operations were done from that airfield. Attack on the governor’s residence by MiG-21 led to Pakistan’s surrender with 93 thousand PoW.”
He also recalled its role in later battles, “In 1999, during Operation Safed Sagar, MiG-21 was deployed, and with this aircraft, we destroyed Pakistan’s control and command centres at those heights… In 2019, Operation Balakot, with this aircraft, Abhinandan shot down an F-16… Now, after 62 years, we are here at the same place where it was inducted.”
Legacy and Successor
The MiG-21 began its journey with 28 Squadron in Chandigarh in 1963. Known as the First Supersonics, the squadron earned honours for its role in the 1971 war. Its motto, “Sanharancha Karothi Ya,” meaning “Determined to Destroy,” reflected its spirit.
Group Captain Indraneel Nandi said, “It has had a very rich and powerful history in the Indian Air Force. Not only in operational roles but also in training roles. We all have learned the fighter flying with this aircraft. It does hold a very special place in the heart of all in the Air Force.”
The aircraft will now be replaced by the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Nandi added, “Tejas was planned as the replacement of MiG-21… I am sure that Tejas will do a great job while replacing and carrying the legacy of MiG-21.”
End of an Era
The MiG-21 underwent multiple upgrades, the last being the Bison variant. It remained a reliable fighter, capable of facing modern jets.
Wing Commander Singh summed up its journey, “MiG-21 has a history of shooting down all generations of aircraft. And the last one was the F-16… The way the Indian Air Force has utilised the MiG-21 operationally, none of the air forces in the world have utilised this.”
Almost every IAF pilot flew the MiG-21 at some point in their career. Its retirement marks the end of an era in Indian aviation history.
