On September 29, 2025, a chapter closed in Indian military aviation as the Indian Air Force (IAF) retired its last fleet of Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter jets, ending a remarkable run of over six decades. The event, held in Chandigarh, was as much a celebration as it was a farewell, marked by nostalgia, relief, and a sense of national reflection on the legacy of an aircraft that has been both revered and reviled.
The MiG-21, first inducted into the IAF in the early 1960s, has been at the heart of India’s air defense for 62 years. According to the Associated Press, the aircraft was initially celebrated for its combat prowess, playing pivotal roles in the 1965 and 1971 wars, as well as in later conflicts including Kargil and Balakot. Its supersonic speed, agility, and affordability made it a backbone of India’s aerial might at a time when the country urgently needed to modernize its military capabilities.
But the MiG-21’s story is not just one of glory. Over the years, its reputation was increasingly tarnished by a tragic string of crashes and technical failures. The aircraft earned grim nicknames such as “flying coffin” and “widow-maker,” as reported by Minute Mirror and AP News. These monikers were not just the product of public imagination; they reflected a somber reality for the families of pilots lost to accidents attributed to the aircraft’s aging technology and, at times, questionable maintenance standards.
The farewell ceremony in Chandigarh was a grand affair, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, senior military officials, veterans, and families of those who served. According to NewsX, the event featured a spectacular flypast by MiG-21s, Jaguars, and the famed Suryakiran aerobatic team. The jets received a traditional water cannon salute on landing—a fitting tribute to a machine that has seen the highs and lows of Indian military history.
One of the most poignant moments came when Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh took to the skies for the MiG-21’s final sortie, flying alongside Squadron Leader Priya Sharma. This symbolic flight marked the aircraft’s last official mission, closing the book on an era that has shaped the careers and memories of generations of Indian aviators. As the planes touched down, the sense of history was palpable among the crowd.
Yet, the ceremony was not all solemnity. In a moment that quickly went viral on social media, Air Chief Marshal Singh was seen dancing with his fellow officers, a scene that sparked a flurry of reactions online. Some users, as reported by Minute Mirror, commented, “A dance is necessary after getting rid of the MiG,” capturing the complex mix of relief and nostalgia felt by many in the armed forces and the public alike. Others joked that Singh’s joyful spirit warranted an extension of his tenure as chief.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid a heartfelt tribute to the MiG-21’s contributions, particularly highlighting its role in the Bangladesh Liberation War and the 2019 incident where pilot Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16. “The MiG-21’s heroic contributions will always be remembered,” Singh said, as quoted by NewsX. His words echoed the sentiments of many who see the aircraft as both a symbol of India’s military resilience and a reminder of the costs of relying on outdated technology for too long.
The MiG-21’s legacy is not confined to the battlefield or the airstrip. Its troubled history, especially the corruption scandals linked to the procurement of its spare parts, has left a mark on India’s defense establishment. Allegations of kickbacks and irregularities in defense contracts shadowed the aircraft’s later years, fueling public debate and even inspiring cultural commentary. Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s 2006 film Rang De Basanti famously brought issues related to the MiG-21 and defense procurement corruption into the national conversation, ensuring that the debate reached beyond military circles and into the mainstream.
For the pilots and ground crews who worked with the MiG-21, the retirement is bittersweet. Many recall the aircraft’s early days, when it represented the cutting edge of technology and a leap forward for India’s air defense. But as the years wore on, the mounting toll of accidents and the slow pace of modernization became impossible to ignore. According to AP News, the MiG-21 was once a symbol of pride, but its reputation suffered as technical failures became more frequent and the risks to pilots grew ever more apparent.
With the MiG-21 now officially out of service, the IAF faces new challenges. The retirement has reduced the IAF’s squadron strength to 29, a number that falls short of the optimal level needed to address India’s security requirements. As reported by NewsX, the gaps left by the MiG-21’s departure are expected to be filled by more advanced aircraft, including the indigenous Tejas Mk1 and Mk2 and the French-made Rafale jets. This transition is part of a broader push to modernize India’s air fleet, replacing outdated technology with platforms better suited to the demands of 21st-century warfare.
The decision to retire the MiG-21 was not made lightly. For years, defense analysts and military officials debated the risks and benefits of keeping the aircraft in service. Its long record—both of valor and of tragedy—ensured that any move to phase it out would be closely scrutinized. In the end, the consensus was clear: the time had come to move on, to honor the past while embracing the future.
As the sun set on the farewell ceremony in Chandigarh, the mood was one of reflection and anticipation. The MiG-21’s story is a microcosm of India’s broader journey in defense and technology—a journey marked by ambition, achievement, setbacks, and, ultimately, progress. The aircraft may be gone from the skies, but its legacy will endure in the memories of those who flew it, those who maintained it, and those who watched it soar and struggle through the decades.
The Indian Air Force’s farewell to the MiG-21 is more than just the retirement of a machine; it’s the closing of a chapter that has shaped the nation’s military identity. As India looks ahead to a new era of aerial defense, the lessons—both triumphant and tragic—of the MiG-21 will continue to inform the choices and challenges of tomorrow.
