IAF bids final goodbye to MiG-21, Rajnath terms it 'national pride'

The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, the the backbone of the Indian Air Force's combat fleet for more than six decades, streaked through Indian skies for the last time on Friday -- its final adieu edged in history and many a remembrance. The Indian Air Force (IAF) retired its legendary MiG-21 fighter jet, taking its final sortie in a decommissioning ceremony at Chandigarh Air Force Station in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The ceremony in Chandigarh also celebrated the first squadron, 28 Squadron, nicknamed ‘First Supersonics,’ which was raised at Chandigarh in 1963. Its motto, “Sanharancha Karothi Ya” (“Determined to Destroy”), reflected the ethos of generations of MiG-21 pilots.

From Dhaka ’71 to #OperationSindoor, the #MiG21 carried the Tricolour with honour for over 6 decades. At its decommissioning in Chandigarh, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh paid tribute to the ‘bird of all seasons’, calling it more than a machine—a shield of #NationalDefence & a… pic.twitter.com/AxrMLJzYls

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) September 26, 2025

The farewell included a series of aerobatic displays, demonstrating the aircraft’s agility, and marked the transition to modern fighters, with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A expected to succeed the MiG-21.

Bidding Farewell To MiG-21.
At a grand farewell ceremony in Chandigarh
The end of the MiG-21 jet's 62 years of distinguished service. pic.twitter.com/q9n0AHmlD4

— IT Solution INDIA (@itsolutionindia) September 26, 2025

Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 became the backbone of India’s air power, training generations of pilots and proving its mettle in multiple conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil War. The aircraft played a pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, striking the Governor’s residence in Dhaka, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s surrender and the liberation of Bangladesh.The aircraft underwent multiple upgrades over the years, with the final variant, MiG-21-93 (Bison), equipped with advanced radar, avionics, and high-off-boresight Vympel R-73 missiles, maintaining its relevance in close-combat scenarios.