Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (AP Singh), Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), will lead a historic farewell flypast for the legendary MiG-21 fighter jet on September 26, 2025. The event will officially mark the retirement of the MiG-21 after nearly sixty years of service in India’s skies. First inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 became the “backbone” of India’s aerial strength, playing decisive roles in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and even operations as late as 2019. Renowned for its speed, agility, and quick turnaround, the aircraft helped shape the IAF’s combat philosophy. Despite being infamously called the “flying coffin” due to high accident rates in the 1990s and 2000s, it trained generations of pilots and stood as a symbol of India’s fighter power.

The retirement paves the way for the indigenously built Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A, which will gradually replace the MiG-21 and represent India’s next step in modern air warfare. Fittingly, the first MiG-21 squadron—28 Squadron, “First Supersonics”—was based in Chandigarh, which will also host the farewell ceremony. The aircraft’s combat record includes iconic missions such as the 1971 strike on the governor’s residence in Dhaka, a key moment before Pakistan’s surrender.

Over the decades, the IAF inducted 874 MiG-21s in multiple variants, from T-66 and T-77 to the upgraded Bison model. As of 2025, only two squadrons—the 3 Squadron “Cobras” and the 23 Squadron “Panthers”—still operate the jet, with the MiG-21 Bison (CU-2788) among the oldest aircraft in active use.

The decision to phase out the MiG-21 reflects evolving strategic, operational, and economic priorities. While its initial manufacture in India through technology transfer was a game-changer compared to Western fighters, the need to diversify equipment sources and adopt indigenous technology led to a shift in focus.

To honour the MiG-21’s unmatched legacy, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh will personally pilot the aircraft during the flypast—a rare ceremonial role for the Chief of the Air Staff. The event will also bring together veterans, former chiefs, pilots, and dignitaries including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, underlining the aircraft’s historic contribution. With over 80 Tejas jets contracted and more on order, the IAF aims to gradually restructure its doctrine around this lightweight, agile indigenous fighter, alongside advanced aircraft such as the Rafale and Su-30MKI.