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The MiG-21, India’s first supersonic fighter jet, bid farewell after a ceremonial last flypast in Chandigarh, ending a 62 years in service. Inducted in 1962, the aircraft shaped India’s aerial combat history from the 1971 war to the Kargil conflict and Balakot strikes. The Indian Air Force veterans termed the farewell deeply emotional, recalling the jet as both a demanding machine and an unmatched war hero.
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The MiG-21 designed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau, considered as the backbone of the IAF for decades, with over 870 inducted since 1963. (Photo source: PTI)
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Squadron leader SS Tyagi while speaking to ANI, stated that the MiG 21 deserves ‘’80% credit’’ for India’s victory in the 1971 war, citing its strikes on Dhaka targets. (Photo source: PTI)
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The MiG-21 proved its prowess in the wars of 1965, 1971, Kargil in 1999 and even downed a Pakistani F-16 in 2019 Balakot airstrikes. (Photo source: X@Def_PRO_Chennai)
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Indian Air Force aircraft perform aerial maneuvers. (Photo source: PTI)
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Group Captain Malik (Retd) told ANI that the farewell was emotional, adding there was ‘’nothing better’’ than the MiG-21 among jets he flew for 24 years. (Photo source: PTI)
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Chitke recalled that the cockpit was compact, instruments were marked in Russian, and the aircraft was aerodynamically unstable, but it was very fast. (Photo source: PTI)
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The MiG-21 was famous for its Tumansky R-25 turbojet engine, known for its brutal acceleration and short take-offs. (Photo source: PTI)
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Nicknamed as ‘’first supersonics’’, the initial squadron was raised in Chandigarh, making Friday’s final flypast in the same city symbolic. (Photo source: PTI)
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The jet has shot down enemy aircraft across generations-from Pakistan’s F-104 starfighters in 1971 to an F-16 in 2019. (Photo source: X@Def_PRO_Chennai)
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