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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

Op Sindoor: Satellite images show strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan, PoK

Indian armed forces release satellite images of Operation Sindoor strikes on terror bases and military assets across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after Pahalgam attack

Who is Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, officer who briefed on Op Sindoor?

As India struck back with Operation Sindoor, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stood at the forefront, briefing the nation after the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam

Shubhanshu Shukla set to become first Indian to fly to ISS on May 29

Indian Air Force's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history on May 29 as the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station, piloting the Axiom Mission 4

IAF to join 12-day multinational wargame in Greece starting Monday

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in a 12-day mega wargame in Greece beginning Monday that is aimed at simulating modern-day air warfare challenges. The assets deployed by the IAF for the biennial INIOCHOS-25 exercise at the Andravida air base include Su-30 MKI fighter jets along with combat enabler IL-78 and C-17 Globemaster aircraft. "The exercise will further reinforce India's strategic partnerships-and bolster its capabilities in joint operations with friendly nations," the IAF said on Sunday. The exercise, being hosted by the Hellenic air force, will take place from March 31 to April 11. It serves as a platform for air forces to hone their skills, exchange tactical knowledge, and strengthen military ties. "The exercise will integrate multiple air and surface assets from fifteen countries under realistic combat scenarios, designed to simulate modern-day air warfare challenges," the IAF said in a statement on Sunday. "The IAF looks forward to participating in Exercis

Empowered committee for IAF capability enhancement submits report to govt

An empowered committee has identified "key thrust areas" and made recommendations for implementation in the short, medium and long terms so as to achieve the desired capability enhancement goals of the Indian Air Force in an "optimal manner", the defence ministry said on Monday. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh presented the report of the Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the IAF to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. "The committee has identified key thrust areas and made recommendations for implementation in the short, medium and long terms so as to achieve the desired capability enhancement goals of the IAF (Indian Air Force) in an optimal manner," the ministry said in a statement. The report also underscores the need for impetus to enhance 'Aatmanirbharta' in the aerospace domain with the private sector complementing the effort of defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Defence Minister Singh ...

Meet Shubhanshu Shukla: India's first astronaut on a private space mission

IAF's Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's first astronaut on a private ISS mission, flying aboard SpaceX's Dragon under Axiom Mission 4. Here's all you need to know

Every citizen of this country akin to a soldier: IAF chief A P Singh

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Wednesday said that every citizen of India is akin to a soldier and that while serving the country in uniform has a different charm, one can also serve the nation even without donning military colours. In his address at the ongoing Republic Day National Cadet Corps (NCC) Camp at Delhi Cantonment, he underlined the ethos of the NCC, noting that this is the place where people from different backgrounds "become one," embodying the essence of India. He said that the young minds of India, trained at the NCC and the Republic Day camp, are being prepared for nation-building, as they are the future of India who will later take up various professions. "I have heard many cadets express a desire to join the armed forces -- the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It's wonderful that you want to, as serving the nation in uniform has a distinct charm. But to serve the nation, one may not necessarily need to wear a uniform. This is something we must remember," the I