The Russian-built MiG-21, long a symbol of the Indian Air Force’s might and prestige, is nearing the end of its service life. After protecting the country’s air borders for six decades, the fighter aircraft will now be formally retired. The decommissioning ceremony will be held on Friday in Chandigarh the same place where the aircraft first flew in the Air Force’s fighter fleet in the 1960s.
In 1963, Dilbagh Singh, then Squadron Leader and later Chief of the Air Staff in 1981, commanded the first MiG-21 squadron in Chandigarh. The MiG-21’s service will conclude with a special flypast and retirement ceremony on September 26, marking the end of a historic era in Indian air power.
Air Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, will fly the MiG-21 Bison for the last time on Friday.
The last MiG-21 aircraft of the 23rd Squadron, known as the “Panthers,” will be given a final salute at a grand ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force Station. Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest at the ceremony.
Six MiG-21 aircraft will participate in a flypast and receive a water cannon salute upon landing. Among the pilots flying these aircraft will be Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, who also participated in Wednesday’s full dress rehearsal. She will etched her place in history as the last female fighter pilot to fly the MiG-21.
The Indian Air Force paid tribute to the aircraft on the social media platform ‘X’, writing: “Six decades of service, countless stories of courage, a warrior who carried the nation’s pride to the skies.”
The MiG-21 played a crucial role in the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. Furthermore, this supersonic aircraft also proved its worth in the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Balakot airstrike. After its initial deployment, the Air Force inducted over 870 MiG-21 aircraft, significantly strengthening its combat capability.
However, over time, the aircraft was involved in several accidents, raising questions about its safety and reliability.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi at this historic event.
