“More than 11,500 MiG-21s built worldwide, approximately 850 served with the IAF, testifying its popularity, credibility and multi-dimensional capabilities. MiG-21 taught us never to fear change, but to embrace it with confidence. Today, India’s defence ecosystem is working in unison to take this legacy forward,” Rajnath Singh
The Indian Air Force on Friday bid goodbye to its iconic MiG-21—the fighter jet that defined an era and carried India into the supersonic age. The Decommissioning Ceremony of the Indian Air Force in Chandigarh on September 26, 2025, marked the final operational sortie of the MiG-21, bringing to a close an illustrious chapter of more than six decades in the history of the IAF.
MIG-21 symbolises continuity of courage, discipline and patriotism that will inspire development of indigenous LCA-Tejas and upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at a farewell ceremony in Chandigarh to mark the end of its service.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself took to the skies, flying the final sortie in honour of the legendary jet.
First inducted in 1963, the Russian-origin MiG-21 transformed the IAF, becoming its backbone and strengthening combat capabilities during some of India’s most challenging decades. Singh said “the legacy of the MiG-21 will live on in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta in defence. The aircraft symbolises the continuity of courage, discipline and patriotism that will inspire the development of indigenous platforms such as LCA-Tejas and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)”
When the world looks at India tomorrow, it should see a nation that began with the MiG-21 and now leads with futuristic defence technologies. From its decisive role in 1971 war to its presence in the Kargil conflict, the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor the MiG-21 proved its mettle in multiple theatres of conflict, Singh said, adding that the aircraft “excelled as an interceptor, ground-attack platform, frontline Air Defence & trainer aircraft. MiG-21 was a Bird of all seasons”
“More than 11,500 MiG-21s built worldwide, approximately 850 served with the IAF, testifying its popularity, credibility and multi-dimensional capabilities. MiG-21 taught us never to fear change, but to embrace it with confidence. Today, India’s defence ecosystem is working in unison to take this legacy forward,” he said
