The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to bid farewell to the legendary MiG-21 fighter jet after serving the nation for over six decades. The official decommissioning ceremony is scheduled for September 26, 2025, at the Chandigarh Air Force Station. A special event, ‘Culmination of MiG-21 Ops in IAF,’ has been organized to commemorate the occasion, with a full dress rehearsal planned for September 24, 2025.
Preparations are underway for a spectacular farewell to the aircraft, which has been a source of pride for the Indian Air Force for 62 years. The MiG-21 will take its final flight over Chandigarh on September 26. The approximately 90-minute ceremony will feature a special flypast, a guard of honor, and memorial displays. The Form 700 of the MiG-21 will also be presented to the chief guest during the ceremony.
Form 700 is the aircraft maintenance form utilized by the Indian Air Force. This form contains detailed records of pre-flight, post-flight, and daily inspections conducted on each aircraft. It acts as the official logbook, certifying that the aircraft is fully prepared for flight operations. The Form 700 will be handed over during the de-induction of the MiG-21 squadron.
The farewell ceremony will also include the participation of pilots and crew members who have played a significant role in the MiG-21’s distinguished service. The two active MiG-21 Bison squadrons are also scheduled to be phased out during this event.
Following the September 26 ceremony, the MiG-21 Bison aircraft will be transported to the Nal Airbase from Chandigarh. Subsequently, the Number 3 Squadron (Cobras) and Number 23 Squadron (Panthers) will be re-numbered. This process ensures the preservation of their legacy, with future aircraft potentially bearing the same designations. The Number 3 Squadron is slated to receive the first LCA Tejas Mark 1A.
Upon arrival at the Nal Airbase, the aircraft will undergo technical inspections. Usable components will be salvaged, while the remaining parts will be scrapped. Certain components may be donated to engineering colleges for training purposes, or they may be housed in war memorials and museums. Any civilian entity or university interested in acquiring the aircraft for display purposes must submit a formal request to the Air Headquarters.
Several retired MiG-21 aircraft are currently on display at various locations, including the Indian Air Force Heritage Museum in Chandigarh, the IAF Museum in Delhi, Palam Air Force Station, Nicco Park in Kolkata, Biju Patnaik Aeronautics Museum in Odisha, Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum (Delhi), Chandra Shekhar Park in Prayagraj, and the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum in Bengaluru.
In the Air Force, pilots generally cannot switch streams at will. The three main streams are Fighter, Transport, and Helicopter. Fighter pilots may be reassigned to the Transport or Helicopter stream due to medical reasons or operational requirements. Upon the de-induction of the MiG-21, pilots will receive training on new fighter aircraft, spanning 3 to 6 months. Alternatively, they may opt to become test pilots or join the Logistics and Admin branch.
The Indian Air Force is planning a memorable farewell ceremony, recognizing the MiG-21 not just as an aircraft but as a symbol of India’s aerial defense for over six decades.