Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:02am on 26 Sep 2025,Friday Defence
The iconic MiG-21 fighter jet bid its final farewell today at Chandigarh Air Force Station, ending six decades of distinguished service with the Indian Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the decommissioning ceremony, alongside Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, and senior Air Force officials. When the MiG-21 touched down on the tarmac at Chandigarh for the last time, it left behind 62 years of emblazoned service over the Indian subcontinent. Inducted in 1963, the aircraft was pivotal in wars from 1965 to the 2019 Balakot strikes. The farewell included a ceremonial flypast, marking an emotional end to the legendary fighter's unmatched service record as India transitions to new-generation aircraft.
