Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid an emotional and historic tribute to the MiG-21 fighter jet, describing it not merely as an aircraft but as a living testimony to the enduring partnership between India and Russia. Speaking at the decommissioning ceremony of the aircraft at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, Singh referred to the jet as a “mighty machine, national pride, and defence shield” that has stood by the Indian Air Force (IAF) through decades of service. According to him, the MiG-21 shaped India’s confidence in air power, inspired generations of air warriors, and became synonymous with courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Singh highlighted that India’s bond with the MiG-21 is deeply emotional, forged through countless battles and heroic missions. He reminded the gathering that the aircraft had not been limited to a single war or conflict but had consistently demonstrated its worth across multiple theatres of operations. He cited its pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, when the MiG-21 struck the Governor’s House in Dhaka, sending a decisive message that changed the course of the war. He also recalled its involvement in the Kargil conflict, the Balakot airstrike, and Operation Sindoor, underlining how the aircraft proved its mettle time and again, earning respect for the tricolour across the skies.
In his words, every historic mission of the IAF has been intertwined with the MiG-21’s legacy. Its presence elevated India’s air power and became an embodiment of national pride. Singh reflected that the farewell ceremony was not just about retiring an aircraft but about honouring decades of shared memories, sacrifices, and moments of valour. For him, this farewell symbolised a chapter of India’s defence history, where the story of courage, excellence, and patriotism was written in the skies.
The decommissioning marked the end of an era, as the last MiG-21 squadron, Number 23 “Panthers,” bid farewell to the aircraft. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh himself took to the skies for the final sortie, flying under the call sign Badal 3. The ceremony was rich with emotion and grandeur, featuring performances by the IAF’s Akash Ganga skydiving team, who leapt from 8,000 feet, and a series of breathtaking aerial displays. Three-aircraft Badal and four-aircraft Panther formations flew past in honour of the MiG-21, while the renowned Surya Kiran aerobatic team wowed the audience with precision manoeuvres. The air warrior drill team added to the spectacle before an aerial salute concluded the farewell.
Several eminent personalities, including former Air Force chiefs S. P. Tyagi and B. S. Dhanoa, along with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, graced the occasion, reflecting the scale of respect and nostalgia the MiG-21 commands. Introduced into service in the early 1960s, the MiG-21 was India’s first supersonic fighter jet. With more than 870 units inducted, it formed the backbone of the IAF for decades and was central to India’s victories and operations in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the Kargil conflict of 1999, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike.
While the aircraft has also faced criticism over its chequered history and frequent crashes, earning it the controversial tag of “flying coffin,” it nonetheless remained a trusted warhorse that carried India’s hopes and pride into the skies. Its legacy is etched not just in records of combat but also in the hearts of the people and air warriors who flew it.
