MiG 21 Retirement News Live: MiG-21 is our national pride, says Rajnath Singh at decommissioning ceremony

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “For decades, the MiG-21 has witnessed countless acts of heroism. Its contribution spans multiple conflicts and operations. From the 1971 war to the Kargil conflict, and from the Balakot airstrike to Operation Sindoor, there has never been a moment when the MiG-21 did not provide immense strength to our armed forces.”

MiG-21 signifies India-Russia friendship, has witnessed many historic battles, and strengthened our defence capabilities, says Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister Rajanth Singh hails the Indian Air Force as he addresses the ceremony after the final sortie and Form 700 handover.

Following the water cannon salute, in a symbolic gesture, the Air Chief handed over the aircraft’s Form 700 logbook to the Defence Minister, marking the end of an era.

With the induction of the MiG-21, the No. 28 Squadron earned the title “The First Supersonics,” a name it retains to this day. Currently, the squadron operates MiG-29 fighters and is stationed at Adampur, Punjab.

The first six MiG-21s arrived in Chandigarh in April 1963, flown from the No. 2 Equipment Depot in Bombay (now Mumbai) via Agra. Shipped in disassembled form, the aircraft were assembled by Soviet engineers and test-flown by their pilots before official induction.

In December 1963, Wollen and Mukherjee were involved in the first MiG-21 accident near Chandigarh when two aircraft collided mid-air during practice for the 1964 Republic Day parade. Over the decades, the MiG-21 and its variants would be involved in multiple crashes, tragically claiming the lives of hundreds of pilots, earning the aircraft the grim nickname “The Flying Coffin.”

The MiG-21s introduced were the F-13 variant, an early model of the aircraft. Seven officers were selected by Air Headquarters to train in Russia, including Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh, Squadron Leaders MSD Wollen and S. K. Mehra, and Flight Lieutenants A. K. Mukherjee, H. S. Gill, A. K. Sen, Denzil Keelor, and B. D. Jayal. Denzil Keelor had to discontinue training due to medical reasons, while MSD Wollen later succeeded Dilbagh Singh as Commanding Officer and led the squadron during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

The No. 28 Squadron, the first in the Indian Air Force to operate MiG-21 aircraft, was established in Chandigarh on March 2, 1963. It was commanded by Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh, who later became Air Chief Marshal and Chief of Air Staff. At the time, Group Captain Trilok Nath Ghadiok, who had earlier raised the No. 44 Squadron in Chandigarh in April 1961, served as the Station Commander of Air Force Station Chandigarh.

MiG 21 Retirement Live: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flies final MiG-21 sortie as fleet retires | WATCH

Chandigarh | Air Chief Marshal A P Singh led the last sortie of the MiG-21 today as the legendary aircraft fleet was officially decommissioned. Inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963, the MiG-21 concludes its remarkable 63 years of service today.

The wait is over - We just heard Badal 3 clear to land message.  Air Chief Marshall AP Singh is here

Ahead of the MiG-21 fleet’s decommissioning in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Squadron Leader S. S. Tyagi (Retd.), who holds the record for the highest flying hours on the MiG-21, told ANI. "We passed on our learnings to our juniors. Amid all the lessons and training, my flying hours kept increasing. I had never imagined reaching this milestone. Back in 1965, we didn’t have many aircraft. The MiG-21 played a key role in the 1971 war, performing rocketry, gunnery, dropping bombs, and achieving multiple targets in Dhaka. I would give 80% of the credit to the MiG-21 for our victory in 1971."

We can see all dignitaries seated. The ceremony begins with Akashganga display.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived at the venue

Adding to the significance of the occasion, six former Indian Air Force chiefs will attend the Chandigarh event. They include Air Chief Marshals S. Krishnaswamy, A. Y. Tipnis, S. P. Tyagi, P. V. Naik, B. S. Dhanoa, and R. K. S. Bhadauria.

According to the Indian Air Force’s schedule, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will attend the ceremony. The Chiefs of the Indian Army and Navy, along with Commanders of all IAF commands, will also be present.

Before the final sortie that will close a historic chapter, the event will showcase a series of aerial performances. The Suryakiran aerobatic team, the Akashganga skydiving team, and Jaguar fighter aircraft executing a simulated raid will highlight the prelude.

In a mark of respect, a water cannon salute will be given to the six MiG-21s of No. 23 Squadron. Squadron Leader Priya Sharma will be among the six pilots participating in the ceremonial flypast.

Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh will take to the skies for the last MiG-21 sortie, flying under the call sign Badal 3. The concluding sortie of No. 23 Squadron is scheduled for the afternoon today.

In India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) began licensed production of the MiG-21 in the mid-1960s. Over the decades, the aircraft became the workhorse of the IAF, valued for its versatility across multiple combat roles.

At the height of its popularity, the MiG-21 flew with more than 50 air forces worldwide—from the Soviet Union and China to Egypt, Iraq and Vietnam—cementing its reputation as one of the most widely operated supersonic jets ever built.

Originally designed by the Soviet Union and inducted into the IAF in 1963, the MiG-21 was razor-thin, needle-nosed and capable of blistering speeds at high altitudes. Its rate of climb was unmatched for its era.

“The MiG-21 has a complex legacy. For over three decades, it was the backbone of the IAF and saw action in every conflict since the 1965 war with Pakistan,” notes Rahul Bhatia of Eurasia Group. “But from the early 2000s, it became infamous for its high accident rate. Pilots retain fond memories, but the aircraft remained in service well beyond its time.”

Official data shows that between 1971-72 and April 2012, 482 MiG crashes were recorded. These tragedies claimed 171 pilots, 39 civilians, eight service personnel and one aircrew. Both human error and mechanical failures were cited as causes. No updated figures have been released since.

Between 1966 and 1980, India inducted a total of 872 MiG aircraft of various models, making it one of the IAF’s most extensively deployed fighters.

At its peak, the MiG-21 formed nearly two-thirds of the IAF’s fighter force. Generations of pilots developed a strong attachment to it, though in its later years, frequent accidents earned it the troubling label of the “flying coffin.”

With the MiG-21’s exit, the IAF will face a notable shortfall in its fighter fleet. The jet’s long service life—far beyond what was originally envisioned—highlights both its resilience and the enduring difficulties India has faced in modernising its air combat strength.

The No. 23 Squadron (Panthers) and No. 3 Squadron (Cobras), which together operate around 36 MiG-21s, will be decommissioned in a formal ceremony at Chandigarh, beginning at 11 am. Their retirement marks the end of the aircraft’s operational era in India.

After over sixty years of both celebrated service and controversy, India’s most iconic fighter jet will officially retire on Friday. The MiG-21, once the pride of the Indian Air Force, is set to make its last exit from active duty.