MiG-21 Farewell Chandigarh (India) 2025

With an impressive ceremony on September 26, 2025, India said goodbye to the MiG-21, the combat aircraft that was present in the country's public perception like no other. Praised by some for its role in the victorious war with Pakistan in 1971, denigrated by others as a flying coffin, the MiG-21 dominated the inventory of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for decades and was its spearhead until the introduction of newer types.

Where the Indian MiG-21 saga began, it also ended: in Chandigarh, the joint capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana, a good 200 kilometres north-west of the capital New Delhi. There, where today 12 Wing of the IAF operates Il-76 and An-32 transport aircraft as well as Chinook helicopters, No. 28 Squadron "The First Supersonics" was formed with MiG-21s on March 1, 1963. Of a total of 28 squadrons and around 900 aircraft, two active units had most recently remained, No 23 Squadron "Panthers" and No 3 Squadron "Cobras", with a total of just under 40 aircraft at Nal / Bikaner air base.

In preparation for the long-announced event, finally scheduled for September 26, aircraft of these two units had received a special paint scheme in the form of a large Indian flag on the fin and had already been moved to Chandigarh at the beginning of September. So it was foreseeable that the Indian Air Force would say a fitting goodbye to what had been its most important combat aircraft for decades. What actually happened, however, probably exceeded most expectations. While the last European operators – Romania and Croatia – managed only bashful farewell celebrations or no official event at all, India celebrated the end of 62 years of MiG-21 operations with great pomp and numerous high-ranking guests. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, the chiefs of the army and navy, General Upendra Dwivedi and Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, as well as six former chiefs of the IAF attended the event. And the current Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh led the farewell formation.

The programme was opened by the IAF parachute team "Akash Ganga". Hardly had the parachutists landed with their flags when a total of seven MiG-21 Bison, led by ACM Singh, took off for the subsequent flying displays. After a spectacular drill display by a ceremonial unit, in which rifles with fixed bayonets flew through the air and were skilfully caught, a three-ship formation of MiGs first shot across the runway, from which the Air Chief's aircraft broke away upwards to land again afterwards. The two remaining aircraft circled over the base and then engaged "attacking" Jaguar fighter-bombers. Hardly had the "attackers" been driven off when a large formation approached, consisting of three more MiG-21s, flanked by two LCA Tejas and followed by the BAe Hawks of the "Surya Kiran" aerobatic team, painting the Indian colours in the sky. After the two examples of the MiG-21's successor LCA Tejas had pulled away upwards, the MiG-21s came in to land individually while the aerobatic team flew its programme over the airfield.

Then it was time for the ceremonial highlight. The MiG-21s, which had been waiting at the end of the runway, taxied in pairs to the grandstand and under the traditional water salute of two fire engines. When all six aircraft had reached their parking positions, the engines were shut down on command. The pilots climbed out, stepped before the Defence Minister and the CAS, reported, and with that the 62-year service of the MiG-21 with the Indian Air Force was history.

Afterwards, the invited guests and numerous visitors – including many veterans of Indian MiG-21 operations – had the opportunity to say goodbye at close quarters. Besides the six aircraft from the flying programme, a MiG-21UM two-seater and a MiG-21 Bison with its entire and quite impressive range of weapons were lined up. Thousands of photos were taken and helped ensure that this special day will remain unforgettable in the history of the Indian Air Force.

To open the event, the parachutists of the IAF parachute team "Akash Ganga" land in front of the grandstand.

The chief in front: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh leads the MiG-21s taking off.

Flying rifles with fixed bayonets. Before the MiGs' flypast, Indian ceremonial soldiers give spectacular … — Flying rifles with fixed bayonets. Before the MiGs' flypast, Indian ceremonial soldiers give spectacular displays.

Two fly on, the Air Chief shoots off upwards.

Two Jaguar fighter-bombers "attack the airfield", the MiGs in the background intercept them.

The sky full of aircraft: three MiG-21s, two LCA Tejas and nine BAe Hawks form the final formation.

The last landing of an Indian MiG-21? On the fringes of the event there were rumours that continued operation … — The last landing of an Indian MiG-21? On the fringes of the event there were rumours that continued operation of some aircraft as a heritage flight was conceivable.

Water salute in farewell: in pairs the MiG-21s taxi to their last parking position.

Everywhere it could be seen that the hearts of pilots and technicians belong to their MiGs: a static display … — Everywhere it could be seen that the hearts of pilots and technicians belong to their MiGs: a static display lovingly arranged with lettering made of shell cases and belt links. In the background, the impressive weapons arsenal of the MiG-21 Bison can be seen.

Souvenir photos everywhere: many visitors took the opportunity to have their picture taken one last time with … — Souvenir photos everywhere: many visitors took the opportunity to have their picture taken one last time with active examples of the aircraft they had worked on for many years.

The author , too, did not miss the chance to be photographed once more in front of an Indian MiG-21. The last … — The author, too, did not miss the chance to be photographed once more in front of an Indian MiG-21. The last (and only) opportunity before that was more than 20 years ago, at Aero India 2003, when the MiG-21 Bison was just entering service.

With a record-breaking 4306 flight hours and 6316 sorties on the MiG-21, Air Commodore (ret.) SS Tyagi is a … — With a record-breaking 4306 flight hours and 6316 sorties on the MiG-21, Air Commodore (ret.) SS Tyagi is a sought-after interlocutor at the event.

Chandigarh, where the Indian MiG-21 saga began and ended, is today home to a large part of the Indian … — Chandigarh, where the Indian MiG-21 saga began and ended, is today home to a large part of the Indian transport fleet.

Mementos of an already unforgettable day: at the end of the event every media representative received a whole … — Mementos of an already unforgettable day: at the end of the event every media representative received a whole bag full of MiG-21 memorabilia.

The author thanks Brigadier Amit Prakash Singh and Wing Commander Jaideep Singh for their support.