After 62 years of services, the Indian Air Force has finally given a last farewell to MiG-21 fighter jet. Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself took the last flight in MiG-21. After this, Form-700 of MiG-21, the log-book, was handed over to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh forever, because now MiG-21 fighter pilots, indigenous LCA will protect the country's air boundaries through Tejas.
On Friday (September 26, 2025), the retirement ceremony of MiG-21 was held at Chandigarh Airbase, as in 1963, when MiG-21 was brought from Russia for the first time, landing was made on this Chandigarh base. The first squadron of MiG-21 was also deployed on this Chandigarh airbase.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh praised
In his address, the Defense Minister himself praised MiG-21 and said, 'When we are farewell to MiG-21 from his operation journey, I think, we are going to send a chapter that will be written not only in the history of Indian Air Force, but also with golden letters (ie golden words) in the journey of our entire military aviation.'
He said, 'MiG-21 is not just an aircraft or machine, it is also a proof of deep relations between India and Russia. MiG-21 has added many more golden moments to the Military Aviation Journey. In the history of the world's military aviation, there was no such fighter jet, which has been built in such a large number.
Witness of reliability and multi dimensions capabilities
Rajnath Singh said that more than 11,500 MiG-2 aircraft were built worldwide and about 850 of them were part of the Indian Air Force. According to the Defense Minister, this number in itself is a witness to the fame, credibility and multi dimensions of this fighter aircraft.
While landing at Chandigarh Airbase, the Air Force saluted MiG-21 fighter aircraft. Rajnath Singh also released a postal stamp in memory of MiG-21. During this time, Form-700 of Air Chief Marshal MiG-21 was handed over to the Log Book to the Defense Minister. After flying and landing any MiG-21, all the information has to be filled in this book.
Mig-21 Retirement Talks
1. In 1963 joined the Air Force.
2. The country's first supersonic fighter jet.
3. Pakistan's teeth were sour in the 1965 war.
4. In the 1971 war, the Pakistani army surrendered the Governor House of Pakistan in Dhaka, after which the Pakistani army surrendered.
5. Bombed Tiger Hill in Kargil war.
6. In 1999, Pakistan's Atlantic reconnaissance aircraft was killed in Ran of Kutch to infiltrate the Indian border.
7. Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet was killed after Balakot air strike.
8. During Operation Sindoor, Nal was placed on alert on the airbase.
9. Among the selected fighter aircraft of the world who fed the most enemies and hit the aircraft.
10. The Air Force operated 800 MiG-21 fighter jets, out of which 200 were purchased directly from Russia and the remaining 600 was built by HAL in India itself.
11. Air Force Chief AP Singh himself joined the last flight at Chandigarh Airbase. He was accompanied by Squadron Leader Priya at the second MiG-21.
12. The LCA-Tejas aircraft fly just behind the last flight of MiG-21.
13. Out of 800, 400 MiG-21 crashed, in which 170 fighter pilots of the Air Force lost their lives.
14. Flying coffin was named due to crash.
15. Aamir Khan's superhit film 'Rang De Basanti' was based on the crash of this MiG-21.
16. Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will replace Mark-1A MiG-21.
17. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, CDS General Anil Chauhan will be present in the MiG-21 retirement ceremony in Chandigarh.
18. Retirement ceremony was held in Chandigarh because MiG-21 was landed from Russia for the first time on this base and the first squadron was deployed here.
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