Iaf

Op Sagar Bandhu: IAF delivers first relief supplies to flood-hit Sri Lanka

An Indian Air Force aircraft carrying emergency relief material for those displaced by unprecedented floods arrived in Sri Lanka early on Saturday morning. The C130 aircraft carrying essential food items and sanitary supplies reached Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport airport at around 1.30 am and was received by the Indian High Commission officials and Sri Lanka Air Force officers. India on Friday launched Operation Sagar Bandhu' to assist Sri Lanka in its hour of crisis, and the first tranche of relief materials was handed over after the consignments were transported by the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline ship INS Udaigiri to the island nation. The relief came as Sri Lankan authorities warned of an unprecedented disaster situation in the Western Province from Friday night due to rising water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers. Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst disasters as cyclonic storm Ditwah wreaked havoc, causing floods and ...

Who was Wg Cdr Namansh Syal, the IAF pilot killed in Dubai Tejas crash?

Wing Commander Namansh Syal, 37, was performing a low-level aerobatic manoeuvre when the LCA Mk-1 went down; IAF has ordered court of inquiry as Himachal mourns loss of its decorated officer

India repatriates 270 citizens who fled from Myanmar scam hub to Thailand

India on Thursday repatriated 270 of its nationals from Thailand in two military transport aircraft, days after they fled to Thai border town of Mae Sot from a notorious scam centre in Myanmar following a crackdown on it. Around 500 Indian nationals were among 1,500 people from 28 countries who crossed over to Thailand late last month following the raid on the cybercrime hub of KK Park in Myanmarese city of Myawaddy. The Indian embassy in Bangkok said the Thai government has facilitated repatriation of 270 Indian nationals, including 26 women, from Mae Sot to India by two special flights operated by the Indian Air Force. These Indian nationals recently crossed into Thailand from Myawaddy where they were allegedly working in the cyber scam-centres, it said on social media. The Indians were detained by Thai authorities for violation of the country's immigration laws when they had entered it illegally, the Indian mission said. India is expected to operate more flights on Friday to br

Not opposed to new structure, says IAF chief on theaterisation move

Any decision on creating a new structure for tri-services synergy will be based on national interest and deliberations on it are underway, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, said on Tuesday on the proposed theaterisation plan for the military. In an interactive session, the air chief marshal also pitched for creating a joint structure comprising the three services, para-military forces and certain civilian entities to handle issues relating to use of drones. He also dispelled perceptions in some quarters that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is opposed to the reform initiative and at the same time suggested the new reform measure should be taken forward after careful discussions and analysis. "I am not saying that we do not need another structure. We may need another joint structure. But my way of looking at it is, let's not go by some structures that exist somewhere else and say this will fit us," he said at the India Defence Conclave hosted by Bharat Shakti. Air Chief ...

Delhi traffic curbs, diversions issued for 'Sekhon IAF Marathon' on Sunday

The Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday issued an advisory regarding traffic restrictions and diversions in view of the 'Sekhon Indian Air Force marathon' 2025 scheduled to be held in the national capital on Sunday. The marathon, organised by the Indian Air Force for armed forces personnel and civilians on Sunday, will begin and conclude at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The half-marathon (21.097 km) will start at 5.30 am, the 10 km run at 6.30 am, and the 5 km run at 7.30 am. Over 10,000 participants are expected to take part, police said. According to the advisory, traffic movement will be regulated from 4.45 am to 10 am on the marathon routes to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. The movement of emergency vehicles will remain unaffected. Diversions will be implemented at key points, including Bhisham Pitamah Marg, Lodhi Road, Aurobindo Marg, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Janpath, Mathura Road, and Rajesh Pilot Marg, among others. Additional deployment of traffic personnel will be m

Watch: Tejas Mk1A’s maiden flight | Indian Air Force | HAL | Tejas Light Combat Aircraft

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A took its maiden flight today from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) Nashik facility.

Indian Air Force, Royal Navy conduct joint exercise over Indian Ocean

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Navy conducted a joint aerial exercise over the Indian Ocean Region on Tuesday.The exercise involved a range of frontline platforms, including the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguar fighter aircraft, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW & C) aircraft. From the Royal Navy, F-35B fighter jets operating from HMS Prince of Wales participated in the coordinated mission.Sharing details of the exercise, the Indian Air Force wrote on X, "On 14 Oct 25, IAF Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguars, AWACS & AEW & C aircraft joined Royal Navy F-35Bs from HMS Prince of Wales for a joint exercise over the Indian Ocean Region. The training strengthened interoperability, mutual trust, and collective commitment to regional stability."In a related development, Indian defence officials have confirmed that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing to extend the range of its Astra ..

Indian Air Force Day 2025: IAF marks 93rd foundation day with grand parade

Today, October 8, 2025, marks the 93rd Air Force Day of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The primary event took place at Ghaziabad's Hindon Air Force Base and was streamed live on official platforms

IAF chief hails Op Sindoor as model of cohesion and clear military strategy

Operation Sindoor was a "shining example" of clear directions, India's indigenous capabilities and effective cohesion among the armed forces, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Tuesday. Singh made the remarks in his message a day ahead of the 93rd Air Force Day. "Operation Sindoor is a shining example of clear higher directions , our indigenous capability and effective cohesion and jointmanship between all defence forces," he said. "The Indian Air Force will continue to defend our nation's skies by enhancing its capabilities , embracing innovation and upholding the highest standards of professionalism," he said. In response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10 In his remarks, the Air Chief Marshal said the highest priority of h

Watch: Decommissioning ceremony of legendary MiG-21 fighter jets | Indian Air Force | Defence news

The Indian Air Force’s iconic MiG-21, the country's first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft, which was first inducted in the 1960s

IAF rescues 46, air-drops 750 kg relief in Punjab's flood-hit areas

Superintendents of Police (SSPs) are actively engaged in coordinating rescue and relief efforts, according to official

From shy to living India's space dream: Shubhanshu Shukla's journey

IAF's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla grew as a "shy and reserved" person, hearing stories of the 1984 spaceflight of Rakesh Sharma in his childhood days. On Sunday, Shukla, India's second astronaut to travel to space after Sharma, was signing autographs for school students and obliging fellow air warriors queuing up to get clicked with him. Life, like his recent space sojourn in a spacecraft orbit, has indeed come full circle for Shukla. The occasion was the felicitation of Shukla and three other chosen Gaganyaan astronauts by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Air Force Auditorium in Subroto Park here. During the event, Shukla, who goes by the callsign 'Shux', shared his journey of joining the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the experiences and challenges he faced while being part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). "I grew up as a shy and reserved person. We used to hear stories of the spaceflight of Rakesh Sharma in our childhood days," he said. Shu

DRDO chief says Op Sindoor was declaration of India's self-reliance

DRDO chief Samir Kamat said that Operation Sindoor was not just a mission, but a statement to the world that India has the capability to protect its borders through homegrown technology

SC urges Centre, IAF to recognise step-mothers for family pension

The Supreme Court on Thursday batted for liberal interpretation of word "mother" to include step-mothers too in grant of benefits under social welfare schemes including family pension. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh told the Centre and the Indian Air Force (IAF) that the definition of mother in regulations needed to be liberalised to include step-mother as well. "We need to liberalise the word 'mother'. It should include the word of step-mother as well especially when it comes to grant of benefits under social welfare schemes including family pension. Step-mother is de-facto mother," the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea of a woman, who raised her stepson after his biological mother died, and was seeking family pension. Justice Kant asked the Centre's counsel if a month-old child's mother passes away and the father remarries, would the step mother be not considered as the actual mother. "In law you may say her as step-mother, but she i

DRDO, IAF successfully test BVR air-to-air missile Astra from Su-30 Mk-I

The launch platform was a Su-30 MKI fighter jet operating from the Odisha coast. The ministry stated that two rounds were fired at unmanned aerial targets set at different distances and approach angle

Two Indian Air Force pilots killed in fighter jet crash in Rajasthan

The IAF has lost three pilots, one paratrooper, three Jaguars and one Mirage over the past six months -- all in peacetime

Land scam: How a wartime IAF airstrip was ‘sold’ by forgery and no one noticed for decades | Punjab

A historic Indian Air Force airstrip, once used in the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars, was illegally sold off in 1997 using forged documents. Nearly three decades later, the scam has been exposed.

From Lucknow to the ISS: Shubhanshu Shukla scripts history with Ax-4 launch

Lucknow-born IAF pilot Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian in space, leading India's participation in the Axiom-4 mission

IAF evacuates 33 people, including 2 US nationals from Sikkim landslides

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday said it has deployed its assets as part of its humanitarian-assistance efforts in the wake of devastating landslides in Sikkim, and evacuated 33 people, including two US nationals, from the remote Chaten region. In a post on X, the IAF also shared photos of the rescue operation. "In response to the devastating landslides in Sikkim, #IndianAirForce Mi-17 helicopters rapidly launched #HADR Ops -- airdropping relief supplies, inserting NDRF teams, and evacuating 33 stranded individuals, including two US nationals, from the remote Chaten region. #IAF remains committed to saving lives. #SavingLives #HarKaamDeshKeNaam #HADROps," it said. Earlier in the day, officials said the Indian Army is working relentlessly under extreme weather and hazardous terrain conditions to assist local residents and stranded tourists. Army personnel have established a walkway to north Sikkim's Lachen village, which was completely cut off due to multiple landslides ...

Rajnath Singh approves execution of indigenous fighter jet programme

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the "execution model" to implement a mega project to indigenously develop a fifth generation deep penetration advanced medium combat aircraft for the Indian Air force India has been working on the ambitious AMCA project to develop the medium weight deep penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth features to bolster its air power capability. The defence ministry said on Tuesday that Singh has approved the "Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model." "In a significant push towards enhancing India's indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model," it said. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is set to execute the programme through Industry partnership. The defence ministry said the "Execution Model" approach provides equal opportunities to both priva