IAF Prepares Farewell as MiG-21 Takes Final Flight After Six Decades

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will bid an emotional farewell to its MiG-21 fighter jet, India’s first supersonic aircraft, in a decommissioning ceremony today at Chandigarh Air Force Station, where it was inducted in 1963. The Soviet-era jet, a mainstay of the IAF for over six decades, played a pivotal role in conflicts including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike. The final flight of the MiG-21, flown by Squadron No. 23, nicknamed “Panthers,” marks the end of an era for the aircraft that ushered India into the jet age and shaped generations of pilots.

Veteran pilots reflected on the MiG-21’s legacy with nostalgia and pride. Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis (Retd.), who flew the jet in the 1960s and later led the IAF from 1998 to 2001, recalled its challenges in a video podcast shared by the IAF on X. “When the MiG-21 came, there were no trainers, no simulators, and the cockpit was entirely in Russian,” he said.

Pilots adapted to new metrics like kilometers per hour instead of knots and even flew in restrictive spacesuits akin to those worn by astronaut Yuri Gagarin. Despite these hurdles, Tipnis praised the IAF’s ingenuity, noting, “The MiG-21 taught us how to be innovative and produce results.” The jet, designed for high-altitude operations, was adapted for low-level strikes, showcasing the IAF’s versatility.

The MiG-21’s storied service was not without controversy, as frequent crashes earned it the nickname “flying coffin” in some circles. A retired IAF pilot, speaking anonymously, criticized the term as inappropriate, arguing it undermines pilot morale and the aircraft’s contributions.

The jet’s resilience was evident in its role during Operation Safed Sagar in Kargil and Operation Sindoor in 2025, where it stood ready for defense duties. Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (Retd.) described the MiG-21 as “the backbone of the IAF, a trusted companion in war and peace, and a proving ground for generations of fighter pilots.”

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The Chandigarh ceremony, attended by six former IAF chiefs, including Tipnis, S. Krishnaswamy, S.P. Tyagi, P.V. Naik, B.S. Dhanoa, and R.K.S. Bhadauria, will honor the aircraft’s legacy. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh marked the occasion with solo sorties on August 18-19 at Nal air base, underscoring the emotional weight of the moment. As quoted by Air Commodore Sathe, the late IAF chief P.C. Lal once said, “The MiG-21 gave the IAF wings it never had before.”

Today, as the last MiG-21 soars into the sunset, it carries a rich history of valor and innovation.

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