In his farewell address for the legendary MiG-21, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described it as a “bird of all seasons” and a testament to the enduring strategic partnership.
Addressing a gathering at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, the defence minister said the most striking feature of the MiG-21 is its versatility. “It has been a fighter jet that has played all kinds of roles in its long operational life. It’s not called the ‘Bird of all seasons’ for nothing,” he said adding that MiG-21 “is not only an aircraft or machine but also proof of deep India-Russia ties.”
Stating that MiG-21’s operational journey will be written in golden letters not only in the history of the Indian Air Force but also in the entire journey of military aviation, the defence minister said that the fighter machine has added many more proud moments to the journey of military aviation.
“In the history of military aviation of the world, there has never been such a fighter jet that has been manufactured in such a large number. More than 11,500 MiG-21 aircraft were built worldwide, and about 850 of them remained part of the IAF. This number in itself is a testimony to the popularity, credibility and multi-dimensional capabilities of this fighter aircraft,” he said.
“From the 1971 war to the Kargil war, or from Balakot airstrike to Operation Sindoor, there has never been a moment when MiG-21 has not provided tremendous strength to our armed forces. Who can forget the 1971 war? The outcome of that war was outlined on the day MiG-21 attacked the Governor House in Dhaka, under adverse circumstances, during the war with Pakistan,” the defence minister recalled.
Coming to the defence of the fighter aircraft, which was often dubbed as the flying coffin, Singh said that MiG-21 has shaped our confidence, strengthened our strategy, and helped us establish ourselves on the global stage. “In its long journey, this fighter jet has faced every challenge and proved its mettle every time. When it comes to the MiG-21, it is often said, that the IAF was flying 60-year-old aircraft. The MiG-21 aircraft that came to our armed forces in the 1960s and 1970s have been out of service long ago. The MiG-21 aircraft that we have been flying till date are at most 40 years old. The 40-year lifespan, by the standards of such an aircraft, is perfectly normal,” he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the MiG-21 had far outperformed the expectations of both its buyers and its sellers. He pointed out that the jet, designed in the 1950s with the best technology of that time, continued to evolve with the addition of state-of-the-art systems. “Over the years, it was equipped with an improved radar system, multiple air-to-air missiles, target missiles and free-fall bombs,” he remarked, adding that this was why the aircraft had earned the trust and respect of the Indian Air Force for so long.
The Minister observed that as an interceptor, the MiG-21 had played a key role in stopping the enemy, while in ground attack missions, it had displayed formidable offensive power. As an air defence fighter, it had safeguarded the skies, and as a trainer aircraft, it had shaped countless air warriors. “With every flight, the MiG-21 has not only protected the nation but also strengthened the future of India,” he stated.
“Somewhere or the other, MiG-21 had laid the foundation for the highly skilled fighter pilots that we have today. This is the reason why the MiG-21 has always stood by us like a charioteer in India’s security journey,” the Minister said adding, “The contribution of MiG-21 is not just history, it is the learning, the DNA, that will take us forward.”