IAF To Retire MiG-21 On September 26
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will formally retire its MiG-21 fighter jets on September 26, 2025, in a decommissioning ceremony at Chandigarh Air Force Station. The jets will be flown out of squadron service, marking the close of over six decades of service in India’s skies.
Last Squadron And Ceremony
The final MiG-21s belong to No. 23 Squadron, nicknamed “Panthers.” The decommissioning will feature a ceremonial flypast and salutes. Senior defence officials including the Defence Minister, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chiefs of the three services are expected to attend.
Legacy And Combat History
The MiG-21 has been a core component of IAF’s combat fleet and has seen action in conflicts such as the 1965 and 1971 wars, the Kargil conflict, and in strikes during the Balakot operations. It was inducted into the IAF in the early 1960s and has been continuously upgraded over the years.
Farewell Flights And Symbolic Acts
Before the formal ceremony, the MiG-21s performed their last operational sorties from Nal Air Force Station in Rajasthan. As a symbolic gesture, Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh flew solo sorties in the aircraft in August, bidding them a farewell.
Transition To Modern Fleet
With the retirement of MiG-21, the IAF will lean more heavily on contemporary platforms like LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI, and Rafale. The step reflects India’s shift toward modern, multirole fighters and away from older legacy aircraft.
