On September 26, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will bid farewell to its legendary MiG-21 fighter jets, closing a glorious chapter that spanned over six decades. The retirement ceremony will be held at Air Force Station, Chandigarh, where the spotlight will remain on the aircraft’s unmatched contributions to India’s air power and defence strategy.
First inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 soon became the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet. Over the years, it played decisive roles in key military operations — from the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars to the Kargil conflict of 1999 and the Balakot air strikes in 2019.
Renowned for its supersonic speed, agility, and combat versatility, the MiG-21 stood out as both a cost-effective and formidable warplane. Despite its relatively simple design, it evolved into an enduring symbol of India’s aerial strength and resilience.
With its retirement, the MiG-21 leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, remembered not just as a machine of war, but as a trusted guardian of the nation’s skies.