Indian air chief marshal flies MiG-21 in farewell sorties

Amar Preet Singh took to the skies a month ahead of the Russian-designed fighter’s retirement

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh entered the cockpit of the MiG-21 to join in one of its final sorties, one month ahead of the fighter jet’s official decommissioning ceremony, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Monday.

The MiG-21 jets, which have been a cornerstone of the IAF’s fighter fleet for over six decades, were originally developed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union.

”Honoring the enduring legacy of MiG-21, the Chief of the Air Staff visited No. 23 Squadron ‘Panthers’, the last squadron operating the legendary fighter,” the IAF said in a post on X. “The CAS flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Squadron Leader Priya, symbolizing both tradition and transformation.” 

Honouring the enduring legacy of MiG-21, the Chief of the Air Staff visited No. 23 Sqn "Panthers", the last squadron operating the legendary fighter. The CAS flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Sqn Ldr Priya, symbolising both tradition and transformation. On 26… pic.twitter.com/gdeNk2ghbN

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 25, 2025

“It’s an amazing aircraft to fly, very agile and maneuverable…It will be missed by all who flew it,” Singh was quoted as saying by the Times of India after the flights.

The aircraft played a key role in India's military campaigns, including the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan. 

IAF spokesman Jaideep Singh said a MiG-21 also shot down a Pakistani naval aircraft that intruded into Indian airspace in 1999. “In 2019, it was again in the headlines when it downed an [Pakistani] F-16,” he added.

The Indian Air Force currently operates two squadrons of MiG-21 warplanes. The fleet will be replaced with the Tejas Mark K1A. New Delhi has reportedly signed off on a $7.6 billion deal for 97 Tejas light combat aircraft. 

India is also spending $175 million for the development of an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, a multi-role stealth fighter that is intended for use by both the air force and navy.

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