Overview

• Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flew a solo MiG-21 sortie and joined a formation led by Squadron Leader Priya Sharma at No. 23 Squadron, the IAF confirmed.
• The last operational MiG-21 flights took place at Nal Air Force Station on August 18–19, where a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film shoot captured the jets for Love And War.
• A ceremonial de-induction is scheduled in Chandigarh on September 26, the city where the MiG-21 was first inducted into IAF service in 1963.
• The IAF plans to replace the retiring fleet with Tejas, Rafale and Su-30 aircraft; 83 Tejas Mk-1A are contracted and an additional 97 were cleared in August, but Mk-1A deliveries have yet to start, according to reporting.
• The MiG-21 leaves service after six decades of frontline duties in wars and operations since 1965, carrying a storied legacy alongside a controversial safety record.