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IN PHOTO|MiG-21 backbone of India Air Forces retires after six decades

Updated On: 24 September, 2025 06:05 PM IST | Tarun Verma

MiG-21 jets backbone of Indian Air Forces retires on Sep 26, ending six decades of service. Ceremonial farewell held at Chandigarh Air Force Station. (Pics/PTI)

MiG-21 jets backbone of Indian Air Forces retires on Sep 26, ending six decades of service. Ceremonial farewell held at Chandigarh Air Force Station. (Pics/PTI)

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MiG-21 jets backbone of Indian Air Forces retires on Sep 26, ending six decades of service. Ceremonial farewell held at Chandigarh Air Force Station. (Pics/PTI)
<p>Indian Air Force Surya Kiran team performs aerobatic manoeuvres, colouring the sky in tricolour during rehearsals ahead of the &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force</p>

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Indian Air Force Surya Kiran team performs aerobatic manoeuvres, colouring the sky in tricolour during rehearsals ahead of the ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force

<p>Indian Air Force officers perform precision rifle drill manoeuvres during rehearsals ahead of the &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force Station</p>

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Indian Air Force officers perform precision rifle drill manoeuvres during rehearsals ahead of the ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force Station

<p>Indian Air Force Surya Kiran team performs aerial maneuvers during rehearsals ahead of the &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force Station</p>

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Indian Air Force Surya Kiran team performs aerial maneuvers during rehearsals ahead of the ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force Station

<p>Indian Air Force&rsquo;s Surya Kiran team colours the sky with the Tricolour during rehearsals ahead of the &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force Station</p>

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Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran team colours the sky with the Tricolour during rehearsals ahead of the ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force Station

<p>Indian Air Force pilots stand proudly alongside a legendary MiG-21 fighter jet during rehearsals ahead of &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force Station.</p>

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Indian Air Force pilots stand proudly alongside a legendary MiG-21 fighter jet during rehearsals ahead of ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force Station.

<p>MiG-21 aircraft receive water salute during rehearsals ahead of &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force Station</p>

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MiG-21 aircraft receive water salute during rehearsals ahead of ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force Station

<p>MiG-21 Fighter Jets lined up, ready to touch the sky for the last time before decommissioning, after serving the Indian Air Force for six decades, during rehearsals ahead of the &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force Station</p>

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MiG-21 Fighter Jets lined up, ready to touch the sky for the last time before decommissioning, after serving the Indian Air Force for six decades, during rehearsals ahead of the ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force Station

<p>An Indian Air Force paratrooper Garud Commando practices his parajumping skills during rehearsals ahead of the &lsquo;MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony&rsquo; at Chandigarh Air Force Station</p>

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An Indian Air Force paratrooper Garud Commando practices his parajumping skills during rehearsals ahead of the ‘MiG-21 Operational Flying Culmination Ceremony’ at Chandigarh Air Force Station

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