नवीनतम
Indian Air Force bids farewell to MiG 21
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: After serving for six decades, the iconic MiG-21 is going to retire on Friday. The MiG-21 was India’s best combat fighter jet. In fact, at present, more than 2500 fighter pilots in India are qualified to fly this aircraft. This event will feature a ceremonial flypast and decommissioning. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other top military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, will attend the event. The decommissioning on Friday marks the end of an era for India’s air power history. It is worth mentioning that MiG-21 was first inducted at Chandigarh, and its retirement is taking place in Chandigarh itself. The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron nicknamed “Panthers”, will be given a farewell at the decommissioning ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force station. On Friday, Air Chief Marshal Singh, will fly the last sortie of the Squadron with the call sign ‘Badal 3’.
In a post on X, Rajnath Singh wrote, "Today, 26th September, I shall be in Chandigarh. Shall attend the Decommissioning ceremony of IAF's MiG-21. Looking forward to it."
Honouring the enduring legacy of MiG 21, the Chief of Air Staff Marshal AP Singh visited No 23 Sqn “Panthers”, the last squadron operating the legendary fighter recently.
Singh flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Sqn Ldr Priya, symbolizing both tradition and transformation.
The fighter jet MiG-21 has been an integral part to India’s air defence since its induction in 1963. It played major roles in the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan, as well as in the Kargil conflict of 1999 and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. In Operation Sindoor too it worked as a shield.
The decommissioning on Friday marks the end of an era for India’s air power history. It is worth mentioning that MiG-21 was first inducted at Chandigarh and its retirement is taking place in Chandigarh itself.
An IAF spokesperson said, “At the retirement ceremony, we are going to fly the two formations: Badal formation and Panther formation. In the last formation, the LCA Tejas will be one, which will be taking over from the MiG-21.”
The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron nicknamed “Panthers”, will be given a farewell at the decommissioning ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force station. On Friday, Air Chief Marshal Singh, will fly the last sortie of the Squadron with the call sign ‘Badal 3’.
The IAF in a latest “X” post about the retiring Mig-21s said, “Six decades of service, countless tales of courage, a warhorse that carried pride of a nation into the skies”.
“It’s really a proud moment especially for “Panthers.” We are the last MiG 21 operating squadron in its operation capacity. I will fly on September 26,” said Group Captain Nanda Rajender, Commanding Officer No 23 Squadron.
Rajender said that MiG 21 proudly served the nation for the last 62 years. “Being the most advanced fighter during the war of 1965, 1971, it has remained the vein guard of all military action done by India. Even during Operation Sindoor, it was a legacy fighter. However, it was tasked for Operational Readiness Platform (ORP) duties and we were ready to defend the skies if the demand raised so,” said Rajender.
According to another air force veteran, Air Commodore Nitin Sathe, for over six decades, MiG-21 has been more than just an aircraft. "It has been an icon and trusted companion in war and peace and the proving ground for generations of fighter pilots. This delta wing interceptor has been the backbone of AIF for as long as we can remember," he said.
In an IAF podcast, Sathe said that from all the wars, starting in 1965, 1971, the Kargil conflict of 1999, the recent Balakot strike and Operation Sindoor, the aircraft played a pivotal role. From the air domination mission to ground attack, MiG-21 has been there, often turning the tide in critical moments, he pointed out.
“Today, as we set to bid adieu to the stalwart, we are not just saying goodbye to a machine, we are celebrating a legacy of courage, sacrifice, innovation, and above all the spirit of men and women who flew, maintained and lived with the MiG-21,” said Sathe.
