IAF bids farewell to MiG-21 after six decades

The MiG-21 was not only a mighty machine that carried the weight of national security on its wings for decades, but also a hallmark of collective pride of the nation, and a testimony to the deep ties between India and Russia, Defence minister Rajnath Singh Friday said as the last of the fighter aircraft flew a final sortie, calling curtains on their six decade long service to the Indian Air Force.
“Today when we bid farewell to MiG 21 in its operational journey, I feel we are closing a chapter that will be written in the history of IAF and military aviation in golden letters. MiG-21 is not just a mighty machine but also a proof of deep connection between Russia and India. This aircraft has contributed many proud moments in military aviation history of the country,” Singh said.
Addressing a gathering at the decommissioning ceremony, which was inducted into the Air Force in 1963, at Chandigarh Air Force Station, Singh recalled the “courage, sacrifice and excellence” of the Soviet-origin fighter jet.
He said there is no fighter jet in the history of military aviation in the world, which has been manufactured in such great numbers.