Watch: India bids farewell to MiG-21 after 62yrs of service
What's the story
The Indian Air Force (IAF) bid adieu to its longest-serving combat aircraft, the Soviet-origin Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, on Friday. The ceremonial farewell took place in Chandigarh, where it was inducted into the Air Force in 1963. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew the last sortie of the MiG-21 Bison, bringing an end to 62 years of service for this iconic aircraft.
Ceremony highlights
Defence minister Rajnath Singh was chief guest
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest at the farewell event, which was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and other top military officials. The last MiG-21 jets belonged to Number 23 Squadron, known as the "Panthers." They were given a water cannon salute on landing.
Twitter Post
Air Chief Marshal flew the last sortie
#WATCH | Chandigarh | Chief of Air Force, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew the last sortie of the MIG-21 as the aircraft fleet decommissions today.
— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025
MiG-21s were inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963, and will be decommissioned today after 63 years of service. pic.twitter.com/sSIXLfwmdc
Twitter Post
Water cannon salute accorded to MiG-21s
VIDEO | Water cannon salute being accorded to MiG-21s of the IAF during the ceremonial farewell being held at the Chandigarh Air Force Station.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 26, 2025
Six decades after they were inducted into the force, Indian Air Force's workhorse, the legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter… pic.twitter.com/4aCMFiKvDd
Aircraft history
Induction of MiG-21 into IAF
The MiG-21 was inducted into the IAF in 1963 under then Squadron Leader Dilbagh Singh, who later became IAF chief in 1981. According to official figures, between 1966 and 1980, India acquired 872 MiG aircraft of different models. It was a key player in major conflicts such as the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the Kargil conflict of 1999, and the Balakot airstrikes of 2019.
Final flight
Other highlights of farewell ceremony
Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, who also flew the aircraft during its last rehearsal earlier this week, became the last woman fighter pilot to fly the MiG-21. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team performed their signature maneuvers during the farewell ceremony, while Jaguars and Tejas aircraft participated in a flypast. The farewell ceremony included a skydiving display by IAF's "Akash Ganga" team and a precision drill. A commemorative postal stamp was also released during this historic event.