India bids farewell to IAF’s MiG-21 warplanes

The decommissioning ceremony of the Indian Air Force’s MiG-21, the country’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor, was held on Friday, reported news18.com.

With 62 years in service, the jet has been a cornerstone of India’s air power and has left an indelible mark on the nation’s military aviation history.

A formal decommissioning ceremony was held in Chandigarh, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior IAF officials, veterans, and families of air warriors.

“Today, 26th September, I shall be in Chandigarh. Shall attend the Decommissioning ceremony of IAF’s MiG-21. Looking forward to it," Singh posted on X ahead of the event.

The farewell was marked by an elaborate flypast, featuring MiG-21s, Jaguars, and the Suryakiran aerobatic team.

The MiG-21s led the Badal and Panther formations, with Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself joining the Badal formation alongside Squadron Leader Priya Sharma.

A simulated dogfight between MiG-21s and Jaguars is part of the programme, intended to recall the jet’s role during the 2019 Balakot airstrike, when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman famously engaged a Pakistani F-16 and was caught by the Pakistani soldiers and his aircraft was shot down.

The jets will also receive a ceremonial water cannon salute, and in a symbolic gesture, the air chief will hand over the aircraft’s Form 700 logbook to the Defence Minister, marking the close of an era.

A special commemorative postal cover is also being released.

With the MiG-21’s retirement, the IAF’s fighter strength will drop to 29 squadrons, well short of the sanctioned 42.

This gap is expected to be filled gradually with the induction of Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2 aircraft, as well as additional Rafale fighters in the pipeline.