The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to say goodbye to the MiG-21 fighter jet, a veteran of over six decades of service. A formal ceremony is planned for September 26, 2025, at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, marking the end of an era. The event, titled ‘Culmination of MiG-21 Ops in IAF,’ will feature a full dress rehearsal on September 24, 2025.
Preparations are in full swing for a fitting farewell to the aircraft that has been a source of pride for the Indian Air Force for 62 years. The final flight of the MiG-21 over Chandigarh is scheduled for September 26. The ceremony, lasting approximately 90 minutes, will include a special flypast, a guard of honor, and commemorative decorations. The Form 700 of the MiG-21 will be presented to the chief guest during the event.
Form 700 is the Indian Air Force’s aircraft maintenance record, meticulously documenting pre-flight, post-flight, and daily inspections for each aircraft. This official logbook serves as certification that the aircraft is fully prepared for flight. The Form 700 will be presented during the de-induction of the MiG-21 squadron.
The farewell ceremony will also include veterans, pilots, and crew members who contributed to the MiG-21’s service history. The two existing MiG-21 Bison squadrons are also slated for decommissioning.
After the September 26 ceremony, the MiG-21 Bison aircraft will be moved from Chandigarh to Nal Airbase. Following this, Number 3 Squadron (Cobras) and Number 23 Squadron (Panthers) will be retired with their numbers. This ensures the preservation of their legacy, with future aircraft potentially adopting these designations. The Number 3 Squadron is set to receive the initial LCA Tejas Mark 1A.
At Nal Airbase, the aircraft will undergo technical assessments. Usable components will be salvaged, and the remaining parts will be scrapped. Some parts may be donated to engineering colleges for training, or they may be displayed in war memorials and museums. Any civilian entities or universities interested in obtaining the aircraft for display must submit a formal request to the Air Headquarters.
Several retired MiG-21s are already on display at various locations, including the Indian Air Force Heritage Museum in Chandigarh, the IAF Museum in Delhi, Palam Air Force Station, Nicco Park in Kolkata, Biju Patnaik Aeronautics Museum in Odisha, Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum (Delhi), Chandra Shekhar Park in Prayagraj, and the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum in Bengaluru.
Pilots in the Air Force usually cannot change their stream. The three main streams are Fighter, Transport, and Helicopter. Fighter pilots may transfer to the Transport or Helicopter stream based on medical or operational needs. With the de-induction of the MiG-21, pilots will receive training on new fighter aircraft, ranging from 3 to 6 months. They may also pursue careers as test pilots or join the Logistics and Admin branch.
The Indian Air Force is committed to making the farewell ceremony memorable, acknowledging the MiG-21 as more than just an aircraft, but as a symbol of India’s aerial defense for over six decades.
