The farewell of the MiG-21 is not just the retirement of an aircraft, but the conclusion of a legendary chapter in India’s aviation history. Since its induction in the early 1960s, the MiG-21 has been the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), shaping its strength for over six decades. On September 26, 2025, this era will officially come to an end with a grand ceremony at Air Force Station Chandigarh. A full-dress rehearsal for the event will be carried out on September 24 to prepare for the historic occasion.
The ceremony, named “Culmination of MiG-21 Ops in IAF,” has been designed to honour the aircraft’s legacy. On the day, MiG-21s will take flight over Chandigarh one last time in a special farewell flypast. The ninety-minute programme will include a guard of honour, commemorative exhibitions, and the symbolic handover of Form 700 to the chief guest. This document, which records all pre-flight, post-flight, and daily inspections, has long been the official logbook confirming an aircraft’s airworthiness. Passing it on at the event will mark the MiG-21’s final closure in service.
Veteran pilots and technical crews who have been associated with the MiG-21 over the past 62 years will also be honoured at the event. The final two squadrons operating the fighter — No. 3 “Cobra” Squadron and No. 23 “Panthers” Squadron — will be de-inducted. These squadrons will be “number plated,” meaning their legacies will remain recorded until they are re-equipped with newer aircraft. Notably, No. 3 Squadron is set to receive the indigenously built LCA Tejas Mark 1A, making it the first unit to transition to India’s next-generation fighter.
After their final flight from Chandigarh, the remaining MiG-21s will be moved to Nal Airbase in Rajasthan for inspection. Usable components will be salvaged, while unserviceable parts will be scrapped. Many of these may later be handed over to engineering colleges for educational use, or the aircraft frames could be displayed in museums, universities, and public spaces. Requests for such allocations must be made formally to the Air Headquarters, with eligibility carefully assessed under strict Air Force supervision.
Several decommissioned MiG-21s already serve as static displays across India, keeping their legacy alive. A single-seater version stands at the Indian Air Force Heritage Museum in Chandigarh. Others can be found at the IAF Museum and Palam Air Force Station in Delhi, HAL Heritage Centre in Bengaluru, Nicco Park in Kolkata, Biju Patnaik Aeronautics Museum in Sunabeda, Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum in Delhi, and Chandrashekhar Park in Prayagraj, among other locations. These installations ensure that the aircraft’s contribution is preserved for future generations.
For the fighter pilots who flew the MiG-21, their career paths will now depend on retraining and reassignment. In the IAF, pilots belong to distinct streams — fighters, transport, or helicopters. With the phasing out of the MiG-21, many aviators will undergo conversion training lasting three to six months to transition to other fighter jets. Others may shift to transport or helicopter roles, become test pilots, or take up responsibilities in administrative and logistics branches, depending on operational requirements.
The MiG-21 has been the cornerstone of India’s air defence for more than six decades. From combat roles in wars to training multiple generations of pilots, its contribution to the IAF is unmatched. With its de-induction, the IAF closes one of the most significant chapters in its history, while preparing to embrace a new era built on advanced indigenous fighters and modern aerial strategies.
