IAF bids emotional farewell to the supersonic fighter that served India for over six decades

The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, once the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), flew across the skies for the final time on Friday (September 26, 2025), marking the end of an era in Indian military aviation.

At a grand decommissioning ceremony held at the Chandigarh Air Force Station—where the aircraft was first inducted in the 1960s—the last of the MiG-21 jets from No. 23 Squadron, nicknamed Panthers , were formally retired. The farewell included a ceremonial flypast, a majestic aerial salute, and a water cannon tribute.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the chief guest, described the MiG-21 as “a mighty machine and a national pride.” He added, “It is not just an aircraft

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