Archive · 27 Aug 2026
MiG-21 Veterans Recall High-Altitude Kargil War Missions in Documentary
A documentary looks back at how MiG-21 fighter jets were used by India during the 1999 Kargil War.
The jets flew in a difficult mountain area called Kargil.
Pilots had to attack targets at very high altitudes, where the thin air made weapons less predictable.
They and the ground crews had to find practical ways to improve accuracy.
Former pilot B. S. Dhanoa remembered flying at night through a valley.
From the air, glowing artillery shells looked like cigarette butts to another pilot.
The MiG-21s also took photographs, defended the airspace and carried out strikes.
The documentary shares these memories from pilots and technicians who served with the aircraft.
Netflix’s The Last Salute revisits the MiG-21’s 62-year service with the Indian Air Force.
MiG-21s from the No. 17 Golden Arrows squadron flew bombing, reconnaissance and air-defence missions during Operation Safed Sagar.
Former Air Chief Marshal B. S. Dhanoa recalled engaging targets at 14,000–15,000 feet, where thin air affected weapons performance.
Dhanoa described a night strike into a valley, where visible glowing artillery shells were mistaken for cigarette butts.
Technician MWO P. K. Pandey said his unit moved from Chabua and prepared its aircraft for operations within 24 to 36 hours.
- Who
- Indian Air Force personnel, including former Air Chief Marshal B. S. Dhanoa, MWO P. K. Pandey and Wing Commander Jaideep Singh, recalled the missions.
- What
- The documentary The Last Salute revisits MiG-21 operations during Operation Safed Sagar and the aircraft’s 62-year Indian Air Force service.
- When
- The missions took place during the 1999 Kargil War; The Last Salute released on Wednesday and is currently streaming on Netflix.
- Where
- The operations took place in the high-altitude Kargil region, including valleys and areas around targets; Pandey’s unit moved from Chabua in Assam.
- Why
- The MiG-21s were used to support India’s air operations through bombing, photo reconnaissance and air defence missions.
- Documentary
- The Last Salute: A Love Letter to MiG-21
- Platform
- Netflix
- Aircraft service
- The MiG-21 served with the Indian Air Force for 62 years.
- Operation
- Operation Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force’s air operation during the 1999 Kargil War.
- Squadron
- No. 17 Golden Arrows
- Mission altitude
- Targets were engaged at approximately 14,000 to 15,000 feet.
- Deployment timeline
- MWO P. K. Pandey said his unit moved and prepared aircraft within 24 to 36 hours.