**Indian Air Force’s Legendary MiG-21 Decommissioned in Chandigarh**
Chandigarh: The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) iconic MiG-21 fighter jet was officially decommissioned on Friday, September 26, in a grand ceremony held in Chandigarh. The event was graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, and other senior IAF officials.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh flew the last sortie of the squadron with the call sign ‘Badal 3’. The formation included three aircraft flying in the Badal formation and four in the Panther formation. Squadron Leader Priya Sharma also flew alongside Air Chief Marshal Singh, marking a memorable finale.
Adding to the spectacle, the IAF’s elite skydiving team, ‘Akash Ganga,’ performed a breathtaking display by skydiving from a height of 8,000 feet, captivating the audience below.
### Full Decommissioning Ceremony
The skydiving event was followed by a majestic flypast of MiG-21 aircraft, accompanied by a precision drill display by the air warrior team and an aerial salute. The famous Surya Kiran aerobatic team also enthralled attendees with their exquisite maneuvers.
Prominent guests at the ceremony included former IAF Chiefs S.P. Tyagi and B.S. Dhanoa. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), was also present to witness this historic moment.
### MiG-21’s Legacy
The MiG-21 holds a special place in India’s aviation history as the country’s first supersonic jets. These aircraft served in the Indian Air Force for over six decades and were the backbone of India’s air defence during the 1960s and 1970s.
The fighter jet played critical roles in key military operations, including the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. However, over time, the MiG-21 earned the unfortunate nickname ‘Flying Coffin’ due to a rising number of crashes and safety concerns.
### LCA Tejas Mk-1A to Replace MiG-21
With the retirement of the MiG-21, the IAF’s fighter squadron strength is expected to reduce to 29 squadrons from the sanctioned strength of 42. To bridge this gap, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A, the most advanced version of the Tejas, will be inducted.
Recently, the Ministry of Defence signed a landmark contract worth Rs 62,370 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft for the IAF. The new fighters will feature 64% indigenous content and come equipped with state-of-the-art systems, including the Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite, and advanced flight actuators.
The decommissioning of the MiG-21 marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Indian Air Force with cutting-edge indigenous technology leading the way.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/mig-21-retires-india-bids-farewell-to-iafs-iconic-fighter-jet-during-decommissioning-ceremony-held-in-chandigarh