CHANDIGARH: The legendary MiG-21 -- the first supersonic fighter jet of the country and the backbone of the IAF's combat fleet for more than six decades -- roared in the skies for one last time on Friday, leaving behind an enduring legacy and countless stories in its illustrious trail.
The sun shone bright, the skies were cloudless and a brilliant blue, providing a picture perfect setting for the elaborate farewell to the Soviet-origin warhorse that was inducted into the IAF in 1963. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flew a sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft with call sign Badal 3. The MiG-21's operations culminated with a ceremonial fly past and decommissioning event, marking the closure of a historic chapter in the country's air power.
Among the pilots to fly the MiG-21 on Friday was Squadron Leader Priya Sharma who etched her name in the annals of history as the last Indian woman fighter pilot to have flown the aircraft.
The grand ceremony featured a series of aerial displays including a skydiving demonstration by Akash Ganga. The fighter pilots flew MiG-21s in the three-aircraft Badal formation and the four-aircraft Panther formation. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team also enthralled the audience with their breathtaking manoeuvres and a symbolic flypast showcasing Jaguars and MiG-21s in a recreation of Combat Air Patrol. A joint MiG-21 and LCA Tejas flypast highlighted the transition from the legendary Bison to the indigenous Tejas.
The aircraft document – Form-700 – was handed over to the Chief of Air Staff by officers and airmen of Squadron No. 23 and the commanding officer of Squadron No. 28.
Describing the fighter jets as a national pride, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing a gathering at the decommissioning ceremony of the MiG-21 at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, said the aircraft was testimony to the deep ties between India and Russia.
Noting the unmatched journey of the MiG-21, Singh said the mighty machine picked up the burden of the country's security on its wings for decades, shaping India's confidence and strengthened its strategy.
Singh underscored the special significance of Chandigarh as the venue for the decommissioning ceremony, stating that it was the same place where India's supersonic journey began with the induction of the MiG-21 into the No. 28 Squadron, the 'First Supersonics'. Dilbagh Singh, who became the IAF chief in 1981, led the first MiG-21 Squadron here in 1963.
He said, "This place is a witness to the glorious chapter that gave a new identity to India's air power."
The ceremony was marked by a spectacular flypast led by Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, a rare and symbolic gesture that reflected the deep respect the IAF holds for the legendary aircraft. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat, many former IAF chiefs, and serving and retired Army officers were present on the occasion.
Singh said the MiG-21 aircraft made a big contribution to their journey of bravery. "We have gathered here for the final operational sortie of MiG-21. Being among you, I have emotions of pride and gratitude. As we give a send-off to MiG 21, I feel we are giving a send-off to a chapter which will be written in golden letters in military aviation history."
The fighter jet's contributions were never limited to a single event or battle, as it was a pillar of India's air power for decades, Singh said, as he recalled its role in the 1971 war against Pakistan, the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as the 2019 Balakot air strikes. "From the 1971 war to the Kargil war, from the Balakot air strikes to Operation Sindoor, there was no occasion when the MiG-21 did not provide tremendous power to our armed forces. Who can forget the 1971 war? The outcome of the battle was decided the day MiG-21 attacked the Governor House in Dhaka amid adverse conditions," he said.
Hailing the role of the aircraft, Singh said, "For us, the MiG-21 is not a fighter jet but like a family member with which our attachment is quite deep. The aircraft shaped our confidence, strengthened our strategy and helped us establish ourselves at the global stage. It faced each challenge in its journey and proved its capability every time."
Singh also addressed some misconceptions regarding the age of the aircraft, and clarified that while the initial MiG-21s inducted in the 1960s and 70s were retired long ago, the aircraft in service until now were at most 40 years old, a lifespan considered normal for fighter jets worldwide.
Singh underlined that the MiG-21 was continuously upgraded with advanced radars, avionics and weapon systems, thanks to the efforts of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). "That is why the MiG-21 continued to get the IAF's trust and respect for a long time," he said, terming the jet a bird of all seasons.
In the country's security journey, MiG-21 always stood like a 'sarathi', Singh said, underlining that when the world looks at India tomorrow, it should see a nation that began with the MiG-21 and now leads with futuristic defence technologies.
"The aircraft symbolises the continuity of courage, discipline and patriotism that will inspire the development of indigenous platforms such as LCA-Tejas and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). India can tackle every challenge and conquer it," said Singh.