Supersonic Sunset: Indian Air Force Bids Adieu to Legendary MiG-21 Fighter

In a symbolic farewell, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla attended the de-induction ceremony of the Indian Air Force's legendary MiG-21 fighter jet on September 26, 2025. The event, which was attended by veterans and serving officers, marked the end of an era for the country's first supersonic jet.

Shukla, who had flown the MiG-21 during his early years as an Air Force pilot before being selected as an astronaut, spoke fondly of the aircraft, describing it as an inseparable part of his aviation journey. "I will forever remember it. Your life moves ahead with the aircraft that you fly. For me, it is a personal journey of my growth with the aircraft, so I feel great to be here as we bid goodbye to this iconic aircraft," he said.

Inducted into the IAF in the early 1960s, the MiG-21 played a decisive role in multiple conflicts, including the 1971 war. With its sharp delta-wing design and formidable performance, the aircraft became the backbone of India's fighter fleet for decades. At its peak, the IAF operated more than 800 MiG-21s, with generations of pilots, including those who later became astronauts, test pilots, and Air Chiefs, being trained on this jet.

As India looks toward next-generation fighters and homegrown aircraft programs, the farewell of the MiG-21 was both emotional and symbolic, a salute to a machine that shaped India's aviation legacy and the men and women who flew it.