'As it flies into the sunset today': Ex-IAF officer’s tribute as MiG-21 takes final flight

The farewell ceremony unfolded in Chandigarh where the Russian-origin fighter, inducted in the 1960s, was formally retired from service.

Group Captain (Retd) Dr M.J. Augustine Vinod, a veteran fighter pilot who served with both the MiG-21 and the Mirage-2000, marked the final flight of the MiG-21 with a personal memory on X (formerly Twitter). Sharing a photograph of himself with the aircraft, he wrote:

“C2089 MiG21 Bis was my aircraft with my name written on it. 4 Sqn Oorials Utarlai Barmer. Nostalgic moments for me as it flies into the sunset today.”

C2089 MiG21 Bis
Was My Aircraft
With My Name written on it

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4 Sqn Oorials Utarlai Barmer

Nostalgic moments for me
As it flies into the sunset today pic.twitter.com/poUYtB3EbB

— September 26, 2025

The MiG-21, described for decades as the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), flew its last official sortie on Friday, September 26, 2025, closing a chapter in India’s aviation history that spanned more than sixty years.

The farewell ceremony unfolded in Chandigarh where the Russian-origin fighter, inducted in the 1960s, was formally retired from service.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the gathering, describing the jet as far more than a machine. “MiG-21 is not only an aircraft or machine but also proof of deep India-Russia ties,” he said. Singh added that the aircraft was both a symbol of national pride and a significant force in building confidence within the armed forces. “The history of military aviation is incredible. The MiG-21 added many proud moments in our military aviation journey,” he remarked.

VIDEO | MiG 21 Farewell: Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flies the last sortie of the Squadron with the call sign 'Badal 3'.

The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, nicknamed "Panthers" are being given a farewell at the decommissioning ceremony at the… pic.twitter.com/TvlIkDLs7A

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 26, 2025

The event drew several dignitaries and veterans, including former IAF chiefs A.Y. Tipnis, S.P. Tyagi and B.S. Dhanoa, as well as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut on the International Space Station. Many who once piloted the aircraft joined the occasion to witness its send-off.

Marking the finale, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew the MiG-21 Bison sortie with the call sign Badal 3. The historic moment came six decades after Dilbagh Singh, who went on to become Air Chief in 1981, had led the first MiG-21 squadron in 1963.