(CHANDIGARH, INDIA) The Indian Air Force will return the MiG-21 to the skies in ceremonial fashion, confirming that the retired fighter will fly as part of the IAF Heritage Flight program during air shows and commemorative events. Announced after the type’s official retirement on September 26, 2025, the move centers attention on the last operational unit, No. 23 Squadron “Panthers,” which stood down with a grand farewell at the Chandigarh Air Force Station.
The plan affects aircraft and crews assigned to ceremonial duties, not combat, and places Chandīgarh (Chandigarh) back in the spotlight as the setting tied closely to the jet’s final chapter.
Purpose and historical significance
Officials say the goal is to preserve and showcase an icon that served for more than six decades. The MiG-21 flew in key moments of independent India’s military history, including:
- 1965 and 1971 wars
- 1999 Kargil conflict
- 2019 Balakot air strikes
By keeping select airframes airworthy, the IAF aims to connect past and present in front of the public, with the Heritage Flight underscoring continuity even as frontline squadrons transition to newer platforms. The decision reinforces that these flights are solely ceremonial, not for active missions.
Practical enablers: maintenance and spares
A practical factor made the plan viable: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which built the MiG-21 under license, still holds an inventory of spares and related tooling.
- HAL’s legacy inventory will support limited, controlled operations for display flights.
- This reduces maintenance hurdles that often ground historic jets.
- While full-scale support lines no longer exist, the stock offers a narrow but useful bridge for engineers to maintain a small number of aircraft safely for short displays and flypasts.
This approach lets the IAF keep the jet in the air without opening a new supply chain.
The phase-out and transition to Heritage Flight
The MiG-21’s return as a display aircraft follows a careful phase-out from regular service. No. 23 Squadron’s farewell in Chandigarh marked the end of a long run, with the Panthers’ insignia closing a final book in IAF records.
That ceremony—attended by veterans and families—gave shape to a transition that had been years in the making. The Heritage Flight now offers a new public stage, moving the story from the base to the air show circuit. By choosing to fly the type at select events, the IAF places memory and pride at the center while maintaining safety and control.
What the Heritage Flight will look like
The Heritage Flight brings together multiple historic aircraft that symbolize India’s aviation path, and the MiG-21 will take its place among them. The display routine will likely feature:
- Short takeoffs
- Steady passes
- Coordinated flypasts
These maneuvers are designed to be safe, repeatable, and easily maintained. Each moment in the sky stands for a chapter of service stretching back more than half a century. For young viewers, the delta-wing fighter can spark interest in engineering and service; for veterans, it is a reminder of training sorties, scrambles, and long days on the flight line.
The MiG-21 will serve as a living exhibit—flying only when weather, maintenance, and staffing align—meant to honor service rather than prove combat readiness.
Why Chandigarh matters
Positioning Chandīgarh (Chandigarh) in this narrative matters because the base hosted the Panthers’ final send-off, linking the city to the type’s last operational milestone. Families who watched the farewell will now see the aircraft step into a new role that keeps it visible while acknowledging its age and limits.
This shift from frontline duty to ceremonial flight mirrors how many air forces treat special aircraft after retirement: planned, limited flights that honor history without suggesting operational return.
Performance record and public meaning
For defense-history followers, the MiG-21’s record is dense and sometimes debated, but its impact is widely acknowledged. The fighter served multiple generations of pilots, tactics, and avionics.
- Its presence in the 1965 and 1971 wars gave India a fast, nimble interceptor during times of regional tension.
- It appeared again in the 1999 Kargil conflict and remained relevant into the era of the 2019 Balakot air strikes.
The Heritage Flight will compress that wide arc of service into minutes of flight that tell a focused story.
Safety and maintenance protocols
Safety will remain the priority. The IAF has stressed that the Heritage Flight is about preservation, not operational returns. Key points:
- Fewer flight hours
- Thorough checks
- Strict flight profiles
- Selected aircraft maintained for short, predictable displays
- Ground crews working within known limits
HAL’s parts inventory helps, but engineers will plan each sortie with care. By keeping the tempo low, the IAF protects crews, aircraft, and the public while allowing people to see and hear the jet one more time.
Outreach and educational role
Because these events draw large crowds, the Heritage Flight also serves an outreach role:
- It gives students and families a close look at aviation technology.
- It highlights the people who keep aircraft flying.
- It functions as a bridge between generations, turning history into a visible, audible experience.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, public-facing heritage programs gain strong community interest when they frame service history in a simple, clear way. This return to the display circuit follows that pattern—focusing on memory, respect, and education rather than tactics or hardware specifics.
Strategic and symbolic implications
The IAF’s announcement signals that India treats its aviation story as a living asset, not just a museum collection. By flying a classic like the MiG-21 alongside other historic aircraft, the Heritage Flight:
- Shows how design and doctrine evolved over time
- Explains past choices in training, maintenance, and mission profiles
- Brings past and future into a single, teachable moment
Scheduling and future appearances
Practical questions remain about scheduling and venues, but the template is straightforward:
- Keep a small number of MiG-21s airworthy.
- Plan a handful of appearances at major public events.
- Coordinate tightly with base commanders and maintenance teams.
The farewell at Chandigarh offers a natural anchor for early displays. From there, future appearances can align with national celebrations, service anniversaries, and select air shows where safety and logistics permit.
Official information and updates
For official updates, the Indian Air Force posts notices and public information on its website. Readers can check the Indian Air Force portal for statements about ceremonial flights and public events.
- The Heritage Flight will confirm locations, dates, and public viewing guidance in advance.
- Given the care required, schedules may shift, but the purpose remains constant: to honor long service and pass on a story that matters to many people across India and beyond.
Final perspective
The MiG-21’s new life in the Heritage Flight is not about nostalgia alone. It is a way to place history in motion—each flight marking endurance, change, and respect for those who served on and around the aircraft.
As India writes the next chapter of its air power story, the sight of the delta wing over a parade route or airfield will remind observers how far the service has come and how carefully it carries its past forward.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Indian Air Force will operate selected MiG-21s in a Heritage Flight program for ceremonial displays following the jet’s official retirement on September 26, 2025. Operations will be limited, safety-focused, and non-combat, supported by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s remaining spares and tooling. The last operational unit, No. 23 Squadron “Panthers,” held its farewell at Chandigarh, which will serve as an anchor for early appearances. The initiative aims to preserve history, provide outreach and education, and honor veterans while maintaining strict maintenance and flight restrictions.
