A grand farewell ceremony was held for the final two MiG-21 squadrons, comprising approximately 36 aircraft, at an air force base in the northern city.
Crowds cheered as officials staged the send-off, which included a mock dogfight and a display by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team.
India first inducted the MiG-21 in the 1960s and eventually operated a staggering 874 units.
The retirement comes a day after New Delhi signed a $7 billion deal to acquire 97 domestically designed and built Tejas jets.
He credited a key MiG-21 bombing campaign for hastening India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The aircraft’s grim reputation in its later years earned it the infamous “flying coffin” moniker.
Nambiar stated that it was time to let the jet go as a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by those who flew it.
In April, India signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, which will join 36 already acquired.
Analyst Angad Singh noted that India faces an unenviable position due to a current fighter shortfall but is fully backing the improved Tejas aircraft.
These concerns were heightened after an intense four-day clash with arch-rival Pakistan in May, which was their worst standoff since 1999. – AFP
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