The Indian Air Force (IAF) has a proud history of courage, innovation, and modernization. Few names stand out in this journey as much as Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh, a pioneer whose leadership bridged the force’s colonial roots with its supersonic era. From commanding the IAF’s very first MiG-21 squadron to later becoming the 13th Chief of the Air Staff, his life reflects the evolution of Indian military aviation. And today, as India bids farewell to the MiG-21—the jet he first brought into service—the story of Dilbagh Singh resonates with renewed poignancy.

Early Life: Born to Fly

Dilbagh Singh was born in March 1926 in Punjab. His fascination with aviation began early, and by the time World War II was at its peak, he had already set his sights on the skies. On September 4, 1944, he was commissioned as a pilot in the General Duties (Pilot) branch of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF). His service number, 2998, marked the beginning of an illustrious career spanning four decades, over 5,000 flying hours, and more than 60 different aircraft—from biplanes and Spitfires to supersonic jets.

Baptism by Fire: The First Indo-Pakistani War

After training during wartime, Dilbagh Singh was posted in 1945 to No. 1 Squadron at Kohat (now in Pakistan), where he flew the legendary Hawker Hurricane fighter. Just two years later, in October 1947, he was thrust into combat during the First Indo-Pakistani War. Following the tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir, the young officer undertook missions that included troop transports, reconnaissance flights, and ground support over unforgiving Himalayan terrain.

These missions, flown under hostile conditions, cemented his reputation as a fearless and resourceful pilot. By the late 1940s, Singh had transitioned to flying the Spitfire, balancing combat readiness with instructional roles, as the newly independent IAF sought rapid expansion.

Commanding the First MiG-21 Squadron

Perhaps the most defining chapter of Dilbagh Singh’s career came in the 1960s, when the IAF sought to modernize amid growing tensions with China and Pakistan. In early 1963, then Wing Commander Singh was handpicked to raise and command No. 28 Squadron, India’s first operational unit to fly the Soviet-built MiG-21 supersonic fighter.

Based at Chandigarh, the squadron began with just six aircraft. Transitioning from subsonic jets like the Mystere IVA to the Mach 2-capable MiG-21 was no small feat. The aircraft’s delta-wing design, advanced avionics, and supersonic speed represented a leap in technology, but they also brought logistical challenges—unfamiliar Soviet maintenance protocols and tricky performance issues in India’s varied geography.

Singh’s hands-on leadership ensured rapid operational readiness. His work established the doctrinal foundation for future IAF supersonic squadrons. In May 1965, shortly before the Second Indo-Pakistani War, he handed over command to Wing Commander M S D Wollen (later Air Marshal) and moved to Air Headquarters as Deputy Director (Weapons). By then, the MiG-21 had been firmly entrenched as the backbone of IAF modernization.

Trailblazing Achievements

Dilbagh Singh’s career was defined by innovation and forward thinking. Among his notable milestones:

• India’s first supersonic boom: In the mid-1950s, while flying a Mystere IVA, Singh created India’s first official sonic boom demonstration over New Delhi, symbolizing the IAF’s entry into the jet age.

• Instruction and training excellence: As Chief Instructor at the Armament Training Wing, Jamnagar, he developed advanced weapons training programs. He also played a crucial role in international exercises like ‘Shiksha’ with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

• Wartime strategy: During the 1965 war, although in a staff role, his foresight in weapons and tactics contributed to India’s air superiority.

• Institution building: Singh contributed to the establishment of the Air Force Academy in 1967 and was later named Commodore Commandant of No. 28 Squadron, a fitting tribute to his role in the MiG-21’s induction.

Chief of the Air Staff: Leading the IAF into Modernity

On September 1, 1981, Dilbagh Singh became the 13th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), succeeding Air Chief Marshal I H Latif. He was only the second Sikh officer—after the legendary Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh—to hold this post. He led the IAF during a transformative era shaped by Cold War geopolitics.

During his tenure, the IAF introduced several cutting-edge aircraft:

• MiG-25 ‘Foxbat’ for high-altitude reconnaissance

• MiG-23 ‘Flogger’ for variable-geometry strike capability

• Dassault Mirage 2000, a multi-role fighter that would dominate India’s skies for decades

As CAS, Singh emphasized self-reliance, modern training systems, and infrastructure upgrades. He retired in 1984, leaving behind a force more modern and capable than ever.

Diplomat and Statesman

Retirement did not ground him. From 1985 to 1987, Dilbagh Singh served as India’s ambassador to Brazil, strengthening defence and aviation ties with the same discipline and vision he had shown in uniform.

He passed away on February 9, 2001, remembered as a pioneer who bridged India’s aviation history—from colonial propeller-driven fighters to supersonic jets. His name will forever be linked with the MiG-21, a machine that shaped generations of IAF pilots.

VIDEO | Chandigarh: IAF's MiG-21 fighter jets take to skies for the one last time before being decommissioned.

MiG-21s were inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963. The fighter jets are being decommissioned today after 63 years of service.#mig21farewell #IAF

(Source:… pic.twitter.com/HxCmUPuEgC— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 26, 2025

The MiG-21 Story: From Induction to Farewell

The MiG-21, first inducted under Dilbagh Singh’s command in 1963, went on to serve the IAF for more than six decades. Over 1,200 jets were inducted, and for years, the IAF was jokingly called the “MiG Air Force” because of its dominance. The aircraft fought in 1965, 1971, and 1999 Kargil wars, and even in the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, proving its relevance across generations.

The MiG-21 became more than a fighter jet—it symbolized Indo-Russian military cooperation and served as a training platform for nearly every IAF fighter pilot.

The ‘Flying Coffin’ Debate

Yet, its legacy is complicated. In later years, aging airframes and safety concerns earned it the grim nickname “Flying Coffin.” By 2023, a tragic crash in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh claimed three civilian lives, underscoring its risks. The IAF grounded the fleet temporarily, and calls for retirement grew louder.

Still, veterans argue the moniker overshadows its true contribution: for decades, the MiG-21 safeguarded India’s skies with speed, climb rate, and unmatched agility. Its accidents, while tragic, reflect the burden of long service rather than design flaws alone.

#WATCH | Chandigarh | MiG-21s receive a water gun salute as they decommission after 63 years in service. pic.twitter.com/cPWLHBDdzs— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025

The Final Flight: September 26, 2025

On Friday, September 26, 2025, history came full circle. At 12:05 pm, six MiG-21 Bison variants, led by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (call sign ‘Badal 3’), soared above Chandigarh—the very base where Dilbagh Singh had first inducted the aircraft.

The jets received a water cannon salute on landing, a ceremonial farewell to an era. Among those flying was Squadron Leader Priya Sharma, India’s seventh woman fighter pilot, symbolizing the jet’s legacy in training generations, now carried forward by women in combat roles.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, CDS General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh were present. The ceremony included a flypast by No. 23 Squadron “Panthers”, the last operational MiG-21 unit.

The IAF summed it up perfectly:

“Six decades of service, countless tales of courage, a warhorse that carried pride of a nation into the skies.”

Passing the Baton: From MiG-21 to Tejas and Rafale

With over 300 crashes and its airframes past their prime, the MiG-21’s retirement was inevitable. Its mantle now passes to the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and modern fighters like the Sukhoi Su-37 and Dassault Rafale.

But the MiG-21’s true legacy lies in its pilots—every generation of IAF fighter aviators trained on it. Its story began with Dilbagh Singh in 1963, and today, in 2025, it closes with a salute to both the jet and the man who gave it wings in India.

Final Thoughts

From a young cadet flying Hurricanes in World War II to commanding India’s first supersonic squadron and later leading the IAF, Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh epitomized courage and vision. The MiG-21, his most enduring gift to the Air Force, became not just a war machine but a symbol of India’s determination to stand tall in the skies.

As the MiG-21 takes its final bow, India remembers not just a fighter jet, but the pioneering spirit of the man who introduced it—a spirit that continues to inspire the IAF as it enters a new era of indigenous and global aviation excellence.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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