In Chandigarh, India, the Indian Air Force’s legendary MiG-21 fighter jet made its final flypast on Friday, marking the end of nearly six decades of service. This iconic supersonic aircraft, India’s first of its kind, has left a huge mark on the nation’s air power.
Squadron Leader SS Tyagi, who logged the most flying hours on the MiG-21, shared heartfelt thoughts with . He credited the jet with 80% of the success in India’s 1971 war against Pakistan. “The MiG-21 conducted rocketry, gunnery, and dropped bombs during the war,” Tyagi said. He explained how the plane hit key targets in Dhaka, helping force Pakistan’s surrender. “We didn’t have many aircraft back in 1965, but the MiG-21 stepped up big time in 1971,” he added. Tyagi also passed his expertise to younger pilots, racking up hours he never imagined. “I’d give 80% of the credit for our victory to the MiG-21.”
Retired Group Captain Malik, who flew all three versions of the MiG-21 for about 24 years, called the farewell emotional. “It was my life, and now it’s still a part of me—it’s a mixed feeling,” he told . “I swear, there’s nothing better than this aircraft, our country’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor.”
The MiG-21 joined the Indian Air Force in 1963, with its first squadron—the 28th—based in Chandigarh and nicknamed the “First Supersonics.” Pilots from generations remember it as a tough but rewarding machine to fly. It saw intense action in the 1971 war, including strikes on the Governor’s residence in Dhaka that sped up the end of the conflict. Over the years, MiG-21s downed enemy jets like the F-104 in 1971 and even an F-16 in 2019, proving its staying power in combat.
As India shifts to newer fighter jets, the MiG-21’s unmatched legacy of service and training endures, inspiring countless airmen.
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