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53m ago

IAF Retires MiG-21 After 62 Years at Chandigarh Farewell

The send-off highlights a near-term fighter shortfall to be eased by Tejas inductions plus planned Rafale buys.

MIG-21 Bison fighter jets stand at the tarmac during rehearsal ahead of its farewell at Chandigarh Airforce Station
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Overview

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is attending the decommissioning ceremony in Chandigarh, marking the formal end of the MiG-21’s service.
  • The programme features flypasts by MiG-21s, Jaguars and the Suryakiran team, a dogfight display, a water-cannon salute, and the handover of the MiG-21 Form 700 logbook to the minister.
  • Air Chief Marshal A P Singh is slated to join the Badal formation alongside Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, with a commemorative day cover being released.
  • Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 served in the 1965 and 1971 wars, Kargil operations and 2019 engagements, shaping generations of IAF fighter pilots.
  • With the type’s retirement, reported fighter strength dips to about 29 squadrons against 42 sanctioned, with planned Tejas Mk1/Mk2 inductions and additional Rafales expected to rebuild capacity.