Chandigarh, India – September 26, 2025. The Indian Air Force (IAF) held an official farewell ceremony at the Chandigarh air base for the legendary MiG-21 fighter jet, marking the end of an era that lasted more than 60 years.
+ US Considers Upgrading F-22 Raptor Block 20 to Strengthen Fleet Through 2040
The event concluded the journey of an aircraft that, more than just a combat machine, became a pillar of India’s military and aeronautical history.
From the initial MiG-21F-13 version to the locally modified Bison, the “Twenty-One” played a fundamental role in the development of Indian aviation. For decades, it represented nearly half of the IAF’s combat fleet, trained generations of pilots, and strengthened the country’s aeronautical industry.
More than 650 units were assembled on Indian soil, accompanied by the growth of a national school of engineering, maintenance, and production.
A demanding mentor
The MiG-21 was more than a war machine. It helped build factories from scratch, turned young recruits into fighter pilots, and introduced India to the reality of modern air warfare. However, it also left painful lessons: countless accidents cost the lives of pilots, especially in the later stages of operation, when the aircraft had already surpassed its intended life cycle.
These challenges led to a structural change in how the IAF investigated incidents. Instead of placing responsibility solely on the pilots, a systemic analysis was developed that considered the entire chain of causes — from design and maintenance to flight conditions — strengthening operational safety.
Lasting legacy
The greatest legacy of the MiG-21 for India was its capacity for adaptation: to local tactics, climate and geography, integration of different weapons systems, and the discipline of squadrons. The fighter became a true “flying university,” teaching India not only how to fight but also how to build, modernize, and innovate in the aerospace sector.
With its farewell on September 26, the MiG-21 ceases to be just a chapter in the history of Indian military aviation and is enshrined as a national symbol of resilience, learning, and technological transformation.
Source and images: Indian Air Force (IAF) | Ministry of Defence, Government of India @SpokespersonMoD. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
