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

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