Chandigarh: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will bid a historic farewell to its first supersonic jet, the MiG-21, with its final flight on Friday at Chandigarh Air Force Station.
The Russian-origin fighter, which first touched down here in 1963, will now retire to museums, marking the end of an era for India’s air defense.
The ceremonial flypast, signaling the aircraft’s retirement, will be attended by senior military officials, including Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
The event symbolises the closure of a significant chapter in India’s air power history. The MiG-21, nicknamed “Panther,” will see its last aircraft from the 23rd Squadron honored at the Chandigarh station.
It is expected that Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, a female fighter pilot, will fly the MiG-21 during its final flypast, followed by a guard of honor to mark its retirement.
Air Chief Marshal Singh highlighted the MiG-21’s stellar role as an interceptor, though its ageing technology and maintenance challenges have paved the way for modern platforms like Tejas, Rafale, and Sukhoi-30.
A recent IAF post on X described the MiG-21’s six-decade legacy as one of courage and pride, elevating the nation’s glory.
Since its induction in the 1960s, the IAF has procured over 870 MiG-21s, significantly boosting its combat capabilities. Currently, only about 36 remain in service.
The jet, a backbone of the IAF’s fighter fleet, completed its last operational flight on August 25 at Nal Air Base in Bikaner, Rajasthan, a poignant moment for generations of pilots trained on it.
Over time, the MiG-21 evolved, with its latest Bison variant equipped with modern radar and missiles. The IAF operated two squadrons of these jets until recently.
However, the aircraft’s history has been marred by accidents, with over 170 pilots and 40 civilians lost in crashes, earning it the unfortunate moniker “flying coffin.” Of the 840 MiG-21s built between 1966 and 1984, more than half were lost to accidents, including seven in the last four years.
The retirement ceremony underscores India’s shift toward advanced fighter jets while honouring the MiG-21’s legacy in defending the nation, notably during the 1965 and 1971 wars and the Kargil conflict.
