MiG-21 retires: India’s first supersonic fighter flies one last time, served IAF for 62 years

The Indian Air Force has retired its iconic MiG-21, the fighter jet that defined an era and carried India into the supersonic age.

IAF retires MiG-21

On Friday, at a farewell ceremony in Chandigarh, the supersonic fighter flew one last time, marking the end of its service.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top IAF officials gathered at the ceremony. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself took the legendary jet to the skies one last time.

First inducted in 1963, the Russian-origin MiG-21, with its combat capabilities, served during India’s most challenging decades.

Paying tribute to the MiG-21, the Defence Minister described the fighter jet as more than just a machine. He said it is a symbol of India’s rise in military aviation, a shield of national defence, and a true companion of the Armed Forces since its induction in 1963.

Rajnath Singh added that over 11,500 MiG-21s were built worldwide, of which around 850 served with the IAF, proving its popularity, credibility, and multi-dimensional capabilities.

He recalled how the MiG-21 proved itself in multiple wars and conflicts, from its decisive role in the 1971 war, where it attacked the governor’s house in Dhaka under hostile conditions and sped up India’s victory, to its presence in the Kargil conflict, the Balakot airstrike, and Operation Sindoor.

“In every historic mission, the MiG-21 carried the Tricolour with honour. Its contribution has never been limited to a single event or battle; it has been a pillar of India’s air power for decades,” Singh said.

Describing the MiG-21 as the “bird of all seasons”, the Defence Minister added that it excelled in every conceivable role—as an interceptor deterring enemy aircraft, a ground-attack platform displaying offensive capability, a frontline air defence jet protecting Indian skies, and a trainer aircraft that groomed countless pilots.

“The foundation of our highly skilled fighter pilots was laid on the MiG-21. Standing on this legendary platform, generations of air warriors learned to fly, adapt, and succeed in the toughest conditions. Its role in shaping India’s air strategy cannot be overstated,” he shared.

Speaking at the Decommissioning Ceremony of the IAF MiG-21 in Chandigarh. https://t.co/5YVAwjlHPX

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 26, 2025

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