Bikaner: As a mark of respect for India’s first ‘Supersonic’, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh flew a Mig-21 Bison at Air Force Station Nal in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on Monday. The last squadron of this aircraft will be ‘number-plated’ on September 26, marking the end of an era.
Instead of flying in a two-seater trainer – as senior officers normally do – the Air Chief took to the skies in a single-seater aircraft, displaying remarkable courage and competence. But then, Air Chief Marshal Singh is not new to risks. He has been the chief test pilot for the Tejas programme.
The Air Chief said that the workhorse fighter jet, which was inducted in 1964, is a ‘remarkable aircraft’; however, it demands ‘rigorous training’ to operate in the field.
“The MIG-21 has been the workhorse of the Indian Air Force. It was inducted in 1964 and has continued in service ever since. My first flight in a MiG-21 was in 1985. It was a simple yet remarkable aircraft to fly, though it demanded rigorous training,” he said.
During the day, he flew the aircraft in a formation led by Squadron Leader Priya, symbolising both tradition and transformation in the forces.
“Honouring the enduring legacy of MiG-21, the Chief of the Air Staff visited No 23 Sqn ‘Panthers’, the last squadron operating the legendary fighter. The CAS flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Sqn Ldr Priya, symbolising both tradition and transformation. On 26 Sep 2025, the MiG-21 retires after six decades of glorious service in the IAF,” the Indian Air Force said in a post on X.
Several IAF veterans applauded the fact that the Air Chief decided to go solo on an ageing aircraft, despite being away from active flying.
“I am sure people must have noticed that, due to not being in active flying, most of the senior officers fly in a trainer along with a relatively senior pilot who is current on the aircraft and undertaking active flying duties. Whereas ACM A P Singh chooses to fly in a single-seater MiG-21 Bison here. Not only does it take immense knowledge, but also courage, especially when the aircraft is so close to its retirement,” Sqn Ldr Varlin Panwar (Retd) said.
