Final Salute: MiG-21 Departs Indian Skies After Decades of Duty

The culmination event—titled the Culmination of MiG‑21 Ops in IAF—was held at Air Force Station Chandigarh. The program included a final flypast by the remaining jets, a guard of honour, and the symbolic handing over of Form 700 (the aircraft logbook) to the Chief Guest, representing the formal closure of the MiG‑21’s service records.

Leading the final sortie was Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who flew in formation alongside Squadron Leader Priya, a gesture meant to symbolize both tradition and transformation within the IAF.

Attending the ceremony were Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Chief of Defence Staff, as well as veteran Air Chiefs and families connected to the MiG‑21’s legacy. In a touching remark, Rajnath Singh described the MiG‑21 as being a “family member” to the IAF, for its decades of service.

First inducted into the IAF in the early 1960s, the MiG‑21 quickly became a backbone of India’s air defence capabilities. The jet saw action in multiple conflicts, including 1965, 1971, the Kargil conflict, and even the Balakot operation, with a performance record that has become woven into India’s military history. Yet it also carried a sober reputation: over the years, India recorded hundreds of crashes involving MiG‑21s, leading to the grim nickname “flying coffin.”

As the MiG-21 quietly retreats from the skies it once ruled, it leaves behind a legacy etched in courage, sacrifice, and indomitable spirit. This true warhorse will forever hold a special place in India’s aviation history. For over six decades, this iconic fighter was not just a machine, but a symbol of national pride and resilience, flown by generations of brave pilots who carried the hopes and dreams of a young nation on their wings. Its retirement marks the end of an era, but its stories of valour, countless missions, and the sacrifices made in its cockpit will continue to inspire the Indian Air Force and the country at large. As India looks to the future with advanced technology and newer aircraft, the MiG-21’s timeless spirit will remain a guiding force, reminding all of the skies it once conquered and the legacy it leaves behind.