A ceremony was organized on Friday (September 26, 2025) at Chandigarh Air Force Station to save the famous Russian fighter aircraft MiG-21, which has been the strength of the Indian Air Force fleet fleet for more than six decades. This warrior was included in the Air Force from here for the first time before six decades. The last MiG-21 aircraft of the twenty-fifth squadron named ‘Panthers’ was bid farewell to the ceremony held at Chandigarh Air Force Station.
Russian fighter aircraft MiG-21 was the mainstay of the Indian Air Force for a long time. After first joining, the Indian Air Force bought more than 870 MiG-21 aircraft to increase its overall fighter capacity. These fighter aircraft had a very important role in the war in 1965 and 1971 in the war with Pakistan. The aircraft also played an important role in the 1999 Kargil War and Balakot air strikes of 2019.
Mig-21 Retirement Talks
The big things related to MiG-21 retirement are as follows:
- He joined the Air Force in 1963.
- Pakistan’s teeth were sour in the 1965 war.
- In the 1971 war, bombing the Governor House of Pakistan in Dhaka, after which the Pakistani army surrendered.
- Bombed Tiger Hill in Kargil war.
- In 1999, Pakistan’s Atlantic reconnaissance aircraft was killed in Ran of Kutch to infiltrate the Indian border.
- Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet was killed after Balakot air strike.
- During Operation Sindoor, Nal was placed on alert on the airbase.
- Among the selected fighter aircraft of the world, who fought the most enemies and hit the aircraft.
- The Air Force operated 800 MiG-21 fighter jets, out of which 200 were purchased directly from Russia and the remaining 600 was built by HAL in India itself.
- Today, Air Force Chief AP Singh himself joined the last flight on Chandigarh Airbase. He was accompanied by the second MiG-21 squadron leader Priya.
- The LCA-Tejas aircraft fly just behind the last flight of MiG-21, as LCA is now taking Tejas instead of MiG-21.
- Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and CDS General Anil Chauhan were also present at the MiG-21 ceremony.
- Out of 800, 400 MiG-21 crashed, in which 170 fighter pilots of the Air Force lost their lives.
- Flying coffin was named due to crash. Rang De Basanti film was based on the crash of this MiG-21.
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