After six decades of service to the nation, the Indian Air Force’s legendary fighter aircraft MiG-21 was given a final farewell today.

The farewell ceremony was held at Chandigarh Airbase in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh, and other dignitaries. The MiG-21 operations concluded with a ceremonial flypast. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew the last sortie of the Squadron with the call sign Badal 3.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Singh lauded the role of MiG-21 in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, saying that there have been many such occasions when the MiG-21 proved its decisive capacity. He said, MiG-21 is national pride, and the most distinctive feature of the MiG-21 was its versatility. He said, throughout its long operational life, MiG-21 performed every kind of role.

Mr Singh saluted all the pilots, technicians, ground staff, and all the engineers and staff who were associated with MiG-21. He said, the country’s pilots have protected borders in the skies, and the technicians and ground staff have ensured that aircraft could take off with full strength every time.

Inducted in the Indian Air Force in 1963, after the China-India war, MiG-21 was the country’s first supersonic fighter jet. This aircraft played a decisive role in the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971. This aircraft inflicted serious damage on the Pakistani Air Force. Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh led the first MiG-21 squadron in Chandigarh in 1963. Dilbagh Singh later became the Chief of the Indian Air Force.