MiG-21 farewell: From 1965 war to Balakot, the iconic jet flies into sunset after six decades of service

After serving as India’s aerial shield for nearly six decades, the iconic MiG-21 fighter bid farewell to the skies on Friday in Chandigarh. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had planned a grand send-off, with full-dress rehearsals already conducted on Wednesday (September 24). During the practice, MiG-21s flew in formation alongside Jaguars and the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, while the Akash Ganga skydivers stunned the audience by leaping from a height of nearly 4,000 feet.

Reliving the glory of 1965 and 1971 wars

• Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself took the cockpit of the MiG-21 to mark the emotional farewell. Last month, he flew the aircraft from Rajasthan’s Nal Air Base. The historic final sortie will be led by Squadron Leader Priya Sharma. Special recreations of the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars will bring alive MiG-21’s legendary combat moments. As per details, the IAF’s 23rd Squadron, known as the “Panthers”, will soar in a victory formation, followed by a “Cloud” formation of MiG-21s flying alongside India’s indigenous Tejas aircraft. This symbolic gesture will show the transition from MiG-21 to the modern Tejas, carrying forward the nation’s air dominance.