The Indian Air Force veteran fighter aircraft MIG-21 officially departed from the Air Force on Friday. In a grand ceremony held at Chandigarh Air Force Station, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that MIG-21 is not just a aircraft but a witness to the strong relations of India and Russia and Indian valor.
The Defense Minister described it as a great machine, national pride and defense shield. He said, we have a deep emotional connection with MIG-21. It became a part of every historical mission and not only in one war and enhanced the glory of the tricolor.
Important contribution from war to Balakot
Rajnath Singh reminded that the 1971 war, Kargil Sangharsh, Balakot Aircrafts and Operation Sindoor… MIG-21 proved their strength on every occasion. He said, this farewell is not just one aircraft, but our collective pride and farewell to those memories in which stories of courage and sacrifice were written.
Rajnath Singh said that we have a deep attachment to this. For a long time, MiG-21 has been a witness to heroic works. Its contribution was not limited to any one incident or any one war. Whenever there are historical missions, every time MiG-21 has increased the honor of the tricolor. Therefore, this farewell is also about our collective memories, our national pride and the journey in which the saga of courage, sacrifice and excellence has been written.
What is special in the last flight …
Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took the final flight at the ceremony. The last unit of MIG-21 was 23 squadron ‘Panthers’. At the ceremony, the Akash Ganga Skyding Team jumped from 8,000 feet. The Suryakaran aerobatic team showed exciting aerial tricks. ‘Panthers’ and ‘Badal’ formation flying and saluted the aircraft. Former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi, BS Dhanoa and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Six decades legacy …
MIG-21 was the first supersonic fighter jet to join the Indian Air Force. More than 870 aircraft have been purchased since the 1960s. It played a decisive role in 1965, 1971, Kargil War and 2019 Balakot strike.
However, the history of this aircraft has also been full of ups and downs. Due to many accidents, questions were often raised about its safety. Despite this, the MIG-21 is recorded in history as the trusted ‘workers’ of the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force wrote on ‘X’ (East Twitter), “Six decades of service, countless adventure stories, a ‘workers’ which increased the pride of the country in the sky.
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