MiG-21 'bird of all seasons', shaped generations of pilots, says Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: Recalling the vital role played by the MiG 21 fleet in several conflicts, defence minister Rajnath Singh called it the 'bird of all seasons', which also served as the foundation of highly skilled pilots of the air force.

Speaking at the decommissioning ceremony of the jets after over six decades of service, the minister said that the MiG-21 excelled as an interceptor, ground attack platform and in its frontline air defence role and is an inspiration for India to develop indigenous platforms like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

"The foundation of our highly skilled fighter pilots was laid on the MiG 21. On this legendary platform, generations of air warriors learned to fly, adapt, and succeed in the toughest conditions. Its role in shaping India's air strategy cannot be overstated," the minister said.


The decommissioning ceremony at Chandigarh was attended by the top military brass as well as several generations of aviators who flew the fighter jets in conflict and peacetime.

Recalling the many variants of the versatile aircraft that entered service in India since 1963, the minister said that the MiG-21 performed far beyond the expectations of its designers and operators.

"The MiG-21 taught us never to fear change, but to embrace it with confidence. Today, India's defence ecosystem, our research labs, academia, DPSUs, private sector, startups and youth is working in unison to take this legacy forward," he said.