Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be in Chandigarh on Friday to attend the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 decommissioning ceremony, marking the retirement of the iconic fighter jet after nearly six decades of service.
In a post on X, Singh said, “Today, 26th September, I shall be in Chandigarh. Shall attend the Decommissioning ceremony of IAF’s MiG-21. Looking forward to it.”
Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 has been a cornerstone of India’s air power. The first squadron, 28 Squadron—nicknamed “First Supersonics”—was raised in Chandigarh as India’s first supersonic fighter unit. Over its six decades of service, the aircraft has participated in multiple operations, including the 1971 war with Pakistan, where it played a pivotal role in strikes leading to Pakistan’s surrender. It has also been deployed in conflicts like the Kargil War and has engaged enemy aircraft across generations, from F-104s in 1971 to F-16s in 2019.
The MiG-21 has trained generations of fighter pilots, earning a reputation as both challenging and rewarding to master, and is widely regarded as the “backbone of the IAF.”
Ahead of the retirement ceremony, a full-dress rehearsal was held at the Chandigarh Air Base on Wednesday. The aircraft performed aerobatic feats in Badal and Panther formations, intercepted a Jaguar midair, and showcased aerial drills by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team and para-landings by the Akash Ganga team. The rehearsal concluded with a ceremonial water-cannon salute.
