When India bid farewell to its iconic MiG-21 combat jets, it was not just a symbolic race across the skies. A key ritual in the retire­ment was the handing over of Form 700, from Air Chief Marshal to the Defence Minister a formal, legal act marking the aircraft’s “formal withdrawal from service.”

What is Form 700?
Form 700 is essentially the formal certificate of retirement for a military aircraft. It confirms that all checks, audits, and technical clearances have been done, ensuring the jet is no longer service-worthy in combat or operational roles. It takes into account maintenance logs, parts disposition, structural integrity assessments, and safety audits. Only after Form 700 is signed does the aircraft move from the operational inventory to either storage, display, or scrappage. 

In the MiG-21’s farewell ceremony, this handover represented the final step in its official life. It not only underscored that the jet has safely exited service, but also paved the way for its next chapter be it as a museum exhibit, a static display, or a memory in the annals of India’s air power.