Farewell to MiG-21, India's first supersonic fighter

On 26 September 2025, the skies over Chandigarh fell silent to a sound that had defined Indian air power for more than six decades.

- ASHISH SINGH

The Indian Air Force's MiG-21s-Soviet-designed jets that once gave India its supersonic edge, shaped generations of fighter pilots, and fought in every major conflict since the 1960s-roared into the sunset for the final time. With a ceremonial flypast by the "Panthers" of No. 23 Squadron, water cannon salutes, aerobatic displays, and a gathering of veterans and dignitaries, the IAF bid farewell to an aircraft that was equal parts workhorse, icon, and controversy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh captured the mood at the event: The MiG-21 is not just an aircraft or machine, it is proof of deep India-Russia ties, and national pride. Since 1963, when it first joined us, this journey of more than 60 years is unmatched in its own right. It has shaped our confidence, strengthened our strategy, and helped us establish ourselves on the global stage. Yet as the applause faded, the farewell left India not only with memories, but also with questions about the void its absence creates.

A SUPERSONIC LEAP

When the MiG-21 entered IAF service in 1963, it was nothing short of revolutionary. India, still emerging from the trauma of the 1962 war with China, urgently needed modern air power. The MiG-21, with its delta wing, blistering climb rate, and ability to touch Mach 2, catapulted the IAF into the jet age.

It was an aircraft built as an interceptor, designed to streak skyward and shoot down enemy bombers, but in India, it became much more. Pilots adapted it for ground attack, reconnaissance, and strike roles, often stretching the design well beyond its Soviet intent. By the 1970s, India had procured more than 700 aircraft across variants, and by the 1980s, the MiG-21 formed nearly 60% of the IAF fleet.