Chandigarh: The skies over Chandigarh, the City Beautiful, will echo with nostalgia and pride this Friday as the Indian Air Force (IAF) bids a grand and emotional farewell to the legendary MiG-21 fighter jet, a symbol of India’s aerial supremacy for nearly six decades.

Marking the end of an era, the farewell ceremony is being held at the Air Force Station in Chandigarh, where the first MiG-21 squadron was commissioned in 1963, operating from just three tents. The event brings back memories and emotions for generations of IAF personnel who flew, maintained, and lived alongside the MiG-21.

Defence Minister, top military officials to attend

The event will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who will serve as the chief guest. He will be joined by top military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and senior officers from across all IAF commands.

The farewell includes a dramatic final flypast featuring two formations – ‘Badal’ and ‘Panther’ – comprising six MiG-21 jets from No. 23 Squadron. A ceremonial water cannon salute will honour the aircraft as they touch down for the last time.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh will personally pilot the final sortie under the call sign ‘Badal 3’, highlighting the importance of this historic moment. Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, who took part in the full dress rehearsal, will also fly in the final flypast — symbolising the aircraft’s enduring legacy in the training and empowerment of India’s fighter pilots.

MiG-21’s legacy etched in history

Inducted into the IAF in 1963, the Russian-made MiG-21 played a pivotal role in India’s defence strategy. From the 1965 and 1971 wars to the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, where it famously shot down an F-16, the aircraft has been at the heart of many defining moments in Indian military history.

Its deafening roar in the skies once embodied the might of India’s air power and inspired countless tales -- both on and off the battlefield. The MiG-21 has also been depicted in numerous films.

Now, with the indigenous LCA Tejas stepping in as its successor, the MiG-21 retires.