Warbird MiG-21 flies into history

CHANDIGARH: MiG-21 , the mighty warbird that patrolled India's skies for over six decades, took off on its final flight on Friday from Chandigarh, the very place it had first touched down in 1963.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh , who presided over the decommissioning ceremony, said MiG-21 not only marked a transformative chapter in India's air power, but also stood as a powerful symbol of the enduring and strategic partnership between India and Russia.

Referring to the MiG-21 as a "bird for all seasons", Rajnath said it redefined India's combat capabilities and stood as a symbol of strength and valour for armed forces in all wars.

Addressing a gathering of the country's top military commanders and air warriors, Rajnath said he was filled with "gaurav (pride) and kritagyata (gratitude)" as the nation prepared to "close a historic chapter that would be remembered in golden letters".

"MiG-21 established India's air power on the global stage," he said, pointing out that it excelled in multiple roles. "As an interceptor, it stopped the enemy. In ground-attack roles, it showed aggression. In air defence, it protected our skies. And as a trainer, it shaped generations of air warriors. That is the beauty of MiG-21."

He highlighted the legacy of MiG-21, describing it as among most significant fighter aircraft in military history. "No other aircraft has been manufactured in such large numbers. Total 11,500 MiGs were built, of which 850 were inducted into the IAF," he said.