The Jet That Redefined Air Power

 Inducted into the IAF in 1963, the MiG-21 was India’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft. Designed by the Soviet Union, it was compact, fast, and deadly—earning nicknames like “flying pencil” and “silver arrow.” Over the decades, India procured more than 870 MiG-21s, making it the backbone of its air combat fleet.

The jet played decisive roles in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, famously striking the Governor’s House in Dhaka during the 1971 conflict. It also proved its mettle in the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, where Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16, further cementing the MiG-21’s place in history.

A Farewell Worthy of a Legend

The farewell ceremony in Chandigarh was nothing short of spectacular. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and top military leaders including Air Chief Marshal A P Singh were present to honor the jet’s legacy. Former IAF chiefs and families of air warriors also attended, making it a deeply emotional gathering.

Highlights of the event included:

●       Final sortie flown by Air Chief Marshal A P Singh with the call sign Badal 3

●       Flypast formations: Three-aircraft Badal and four-aircraft Panther formations thundered across the skies

●       Skydiving display by the elite Akash Ganga team from 8,000 feet

●       Aerobatic maneuvers by the Surya Kiran team, joined by Jaguars and Tejas aircraft

●       Water cannon salute for the last MiG-21 jets upon landing

●       Commemorative postal stamp and logbook handover to mark the end of service.

Squadron Leader Priya Sharma made history as the last woman fighter pilot to fly the MiG-21, participating in the final rehearsal and flypast.

More Than Just a Machine

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the MiG-21 “not just an aircraft, but a symbol of national pride and proof of India-Russia ties.” He recalled its decisive role in historic missions and praised the courage and excellence of the pilots who flew it.

Despite its aging design and safety concerns over the years, the MiG-21 remained a warhorse—demanding respect, rewarding skill, and delivering performance when it mattered most.

Legacy That Lives On:

With its retirement, the IAF’s fighter strength dips to 29 squadrons, short of the sanctioned 42. This gap will gradually be filled by newer aircraft like the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-2, and additional Rafale jets. But no replacement can erase the MiG-21’s legacy.

The jet may no longer roar through the skies, but its spirit lives on—in museums, memoirs, and the hearts of every pilot who ever flew it. The MiG-21 departs the skies, but never our hearts.

Team Yuva Aaveg

       Praveen Kumar Maurya 

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