Indian Air Force MiG-21 Retired

The Indian Air Force retired its final MiG-21 Bison aircraft at a ceremony at Air Force Station Chandigarh, ending 62 years of service since the type entered Indian use in 1963. The last two operating units, No. 3 Squadron Cobras and No. 23 Squadron Panthers, flew the final sorties, with 36 airframes remaining at de-induction. India operated more MiG-21s than any country outside the Soviet Union, some 870 aircraft, and the type fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars and the 2019 Balakot air engagement. Its withdrawal leaves the air force squadron strength well below its sanctioned level.