On September 26, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will mark a poignant moment in its history by officially retiring its legendary MiG-21 fighter jets. This grand ceremonial event, including a spectacular flypast and decommissioning, will take place at the IAF base in Chandigarh, drawing together senior military leaders and veteran pilots who have skillfully navigated these aircraft across generations. It’s an emotional conclusion to an extraordinary chapter for the aircraft affectionately known as the ‘workhorse’ of India’s air defense.
First inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 heralded a new era for India, becoming the nation’s first supersonic fighter. Its inaugural squadron, the 28 Squadron stationed in Chandigarh, proudly earned the moniker ‘First Supersonics’. Over the years, India acquired over 700 MiG-21s of various models, with many being meticulously manufactured domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), significantly bolstering India’s aerospace capabilities.
For decades, the MiG-21 formed the indispensable backbone of the IAF, playing critical roles in numerous defining conflicts. It soared through the skies during the 1965 and 1971 wars, contributed significantly to the 1999 Kargil conflict, and was instrumental in the 2019 Balakot air strikes. Most recently, it saw action in Operation Sindoor. Notably, it was from the cockpit of a MiG-21 that Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman (then Wing Commander) achieved the incredible feat of shooting down a Pakistani F-16 in 2019, before his brief capture across the border. Beyond its combat prowess, the MiG-21 also catalyzed the growth of India’s aerospace industry, propelling indigenous manufacturing and technological advancements to unprecedented levels.
As a testament to its enduring legacy, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh himself paid homage to the jet with solo sorties from the Nal airbase in Bikaner, Rajasthan, earlier this August. The IAF captured the nation’s sentiment in a heartfelt post on X, describing the MiG-21 as a “warhorse that carried the pride of a nation into the skies,” accompanied by a moving tribute video chronicling its illustrious journey.
While the phasing out of the MiG-21 squadrons will temporarily see the IAF’s combat strength reduce to 29 squadrons, there is a clear vision for the future. Senior officers have indicated that the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A is poised to step into these crucial roles, ensuring India’s air power remains formidable and continually modernized in the years ahead.