After more than six decades of distinguished service, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will officially retire its legendary MiG-21 fighter aircraft in September. The historic farewell will take place at Chandigarh Airbase, where the 23rd Squadron, known as the Panthers, will take to the skies for one final flight. The event will be presided over by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
In a symbolic gesture, Air Chief Marshal Singh was seen personally inspecting the MiG-21, even taking a seat in the cockpit, underscoring the aircraft’s deep legacy in Indian military aviation.
The phasing out of the MiG-21 is part of the IAF’s broader push towards modernization and self-reliance. The aircraft will be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Mk-1A, a move that aligns with India’s “Make in India” and defense indigenization initiatives.
Commissioned in 1963, the MiG-21 has been a cornerstone of India’s air power for over 60 years. It played pivotal roles in major military operations, including the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The aircraft was also actively deployed during Operation Sindoor, further cementing its place in Indian military history.
The retirement of the MiG-21 marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter with the Tejas Mk-1A, representing the future of indigenous air combat capabilities.
