Page 17 - Indian Air Force

IAF to carry out three mega exercises, joint warfighting to be focus

The wargame being planned for April this year would see almost all the fleets of fighter aircraft, transport planes, helicopters and drones getting active along all the frontiers

Vande Bharatam-Nari Shakti: R-Day parade exhibits women's empowerment

In a spectacular display of cultural richness and "Nari Shakti", the third edition of the "Vande Bharatam" in the Republic Day parade of Friday showcased the theme "Cultural expression of women power - accomplishment through resolve". A group of 1,500 dancers under the banner of "Vande Bharatam-Nari Shakti" graced the parade with a message of unity in diversity. The performance showcased 30 distinctive folk dance styles, including Kuchipudi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Satriya, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Manipuri, contemporary classical dance, and Bollywood styles. Adding a touch of tradition and diversity, 120 dancers adorned masks representing various tribal and folk performing arts, while another 120 dancers performed with traditional umbrellas and artistic objects from Gujarat, Manipur, Kerala and Maharashtra. In the talented ensemble were 199 were tribal dance artistes, 486 represented folk dance, 399 were skilled in classical dances and 56 showcased the vibrancy of Bollywood. Notably, 5

R-Day: 'Nari Shakti', 'Atmanirbharta' themes ring in tableaux of IAF, Navy

The three wings of the armed forces on Friday showcased India's rising military might here with an impressive display of assets as their Republic Day tableaux complemented the over-arching theme of 'Nari Shakti' and 'Atmanirbharta'. Highlighting India's growing prowess in shipbuilding, the Indian Navy tableau depicted the imposing indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and highly capable escort ships INS Delhi, INS Kolkata and INS Shivalik, the LCA, the ALH and the Kalvari-class submarine. The Navy tableau's theme was 'Nari Shakti' and 'Atmanirbharta'. The recent announcement of the Navy welcoming women in all roles and ranks is indeed a "shining symbol of progressive India", read the description about the tableau in an official booklet on the 75th Republic Day celebrations. The naval band played 'Hum Taiyyar Hain', representing the force's might and combat readiness, and to its tune, marched a naval contingent of 144 young sailors, both male and female Agniveers. The Ind

French Rafales, marching contingent take part in Republic Day parade

Two Rafale fighter jets flanked by a multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French Space and Air Force roared through Delhi's sky as India celebrated its 75th Republic Day at a grand parade on Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron gracing it as the chief guest. As soon as around 95 French troops marched down the Kartavya Path at the heart of the national capital, the whizzing warplanes pierced the morning sky making thousands of spectators crane their necks in wonder. A 30-member band contingent from France also drew attention at the grand parade. It was the second time the French armed forces participated in India's Republic Day celebrations. In 2016, French troops became the first foreign military contingent to participate in the biggest ceremonial event of the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour at the prestigious Bastille Day Parade in Paris in July last year. The Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets and a tri-services marching contingen

Republic Day: India to showcase its growing Nari Shakti, military might

For the first time ever, an all-women Tri-Service contingent marching down the Kartavya Path. Women pilots will also enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force's fly-past

French contingent to participate in 75th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi

A 95-member marching contingent and a 33-member band contingent from France will participate in the 75th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi today

Republic Day: All-women tri-service contingent, armed forces to march today

Kartavya Path in the national capital is set to witness the nation's Aatmanirbhar military prowess and growing 'Nari Shakti' on the occasion of the Republic Day tomorrow

Republic Day: French Prez taking part is matter of pride, says PM Modi

PM Modi added that he is elated about the fact that Macron began his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan

Northern Army Commander visits J&K's Poonch, briefed on security strategy

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday visited troops in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and was briefed about a new methodology being adopted to strengthen the area's security. The Army Commander emphasised executing operations with utmost professionalism. "Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Army Commander Northern Command visited a battalion deployed in the hinterland in Poonch sector for operational review," the Northern Command said in a post on X. It said a comprehensive briefing was carried out by ground commanders on the prevailing security situation, including a new methodology being adopted to strengthen the security of the area. The commander also reviewed the need-based projects initiated by the Army for the development of the local community.

Congress Prez Kharge, Rahul Gandhi extend wishes on 76th Army Day

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday extended their wishes on the 76th Army Day

Army day: President Murmu, PM Modi highlight sacrifice of bravehearts

President Droupdai Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed their warm wishes to Indian Army personnel on the occasion of Army Day on January 15

2024 to be year of technolgy absorption: Army Chief General Manoj Pande

General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff on Monday extended his greetings on the occasion of 76th Army Day

IAF indigenised more than 60,000 components in last 2-3 yrs: VR Chaudhari

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has said the IAF has indigenised more than 60,000 components in the last two to three years. He also said the Air Force cannot rely on foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for repair and overhaul maintenance activities and that it has to be done in-house. The IAF chief was speaking with reporters on the sidelines of a programme held in the Bhonsala Military School in Nagpur on Saturday. Queried on tracing the wreckage of a transport aircraft of Indian Air Force in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast, the Air Chief Marshal said, "Unfortunately, it took so long but finally we at least got the technology to (explore) deep sea and locate such things in seabed". "We are grateful to the Ministry of Ocean and Earth Sciences for facilitating this and to be able to discover this wreckage. It brings closure to a long pending sad accident". The wreckage of an IAF transport aircraft has been located at a depth of around 3.4 km in the Bay of Bengal

IAF indigenised more than 60,000 components in 2-3 years: Air Chief Marshal

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Saturday said the IAF has indigenised more than 60,000 components in the last two to three years. He also said the Air Force cannot rely on foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for repair and overhaul maintenance activities and that it has to be done in-house. The IAF chief was speaking with reporters on the sidelines of a programme held in the Bhonsala Military School in Nagpur. Queried on tracing the wreckage of a transport aircraft of Indian Air Force in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast, the Air Chief Marshal said, "Unfortunately, it took so long but finally we at least got the technology to (explore) deep sea and locate such things in seabed". "We are grateful to the Ministry of Ocean and Earth Sciences for facilitating this and to be able to discover this wreckage. It brings closure to a long pending sad accident". The wreckage of an IAF transport aircraft has been located at a depth of around 3.4 km in the Bay of Bengal, ne

Indian Army indigenously develops secure mobile ecosystem SAMBHAV

In line with the ethos of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', the Indian Army has indigenously developed an "end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem" to provide secure communication with instant connectivity on the move, according to officials. The ecosystem -- SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version) -- operates on the state-of-the-art contemporary 5G technology and will represent a "significant leap forward in India's defence capability", a senior official said. It has been developed in close collaboration with national centres of excellence from the academia and industry. "Mobile networks are prone to eavesdropping and therefore information security of mobiles is at risk of being compromised. An end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem which is network-agnostic has been developed to provide secure communication with instant connectivity on the move," the official said. This leverages the potential of indigenous public cellular networks in the country and the ecosystem has "5G -ready handsets using ..

'Shaurya Sankalan': Army building archives to preserve military history

Nearly 700 hours of audio-visual content and 11 lakh pages related to "declassified records" on the 1948 Jammu and Kashmir conflict, 1961 Goa Liberation and the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971 have been archived as part of a project to preserve the Army's glorious past for posterity, officials said on Friday. This has been done under Project 'Shaurya Sankalan: Digital Archiving of Military History' of the Army, they said. "Nearly 11 lakh pages and 700 hours of audio-visual content related to declassified records from 1948 Jammu and Kashmir conflict, 1961 Goa Liberation (Operation VIJAY) and 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, held with over 1300 units, formations, regimental centres and military museums in the form of battle memoirs," a senior official said. "After-action reports" and audio-visual films have been cured, digitised and preserved in the 'Digital Archive Kiosk' created at the United Services Institute of India, New Delhi, he said. Subsequently, another kiosk will b

DRDO successfully flight-tests new Akash missile off Odisha coast

Lighter and more deadly, the Akash-NG will protect airfields in the northeast

IAF's C-130 J aircraft carries out maiden night landing at Kargil airstrip

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday announced a significant milestone as an IAF C-130 J aircraft executed a night landing at the Kargil airstrip.

India in 2023 focused on acquiring new military platforms, weaponry

India firmed up defence procurement worth over Rs 3.50 lakh crore in 2023 as the lingering border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh as well as the crises and conflicts around the world kept the military focused on ways to enhance the country's overall combat prowess to firmly deal with any security challenges. India also went on an overdrive in expanding its military engagement with like-minded countries in its neighbourhood and beyond in the face of China's relentless attempts to become a regional hegemon and establish its primacy in South Asia. The Indian troops guarding the nearly 3,500 km Line of Actual Control (LAC) maintained an assertive approach as the eastern Ladakh border spilled into the fourth year even as both sides held several rounds of high-level military and diplomatic talks to resolve it. The face-off between the two of the planet's biggest military forces mainly continued in Demchok and Depsang regions though both sides completed disengagement in several other

Celebrities fought legal battles in HC; Court upheld 'Agnipath' in 2023

High-profile legal battles involving political luminaries, Bollywood celebrities and corporate bosses unfolded in the Delhi High Court in 2023 and kept it abuzz with activity. Amid the unrelenting cut and thrust of these battles, the Delhi High Court also gave the thumbs up for the Modi government's Agnipath scheme, launched in June 2022 for recruiting soldiers, sailors and airmen for a four-year period. The scheme, which envisaged an overhaul of India's fighting machine, making it sturdier with the induction of young people aged 17.5 and 21 years, was reviled by its detractors, got resounding endorsement from supporters, and upheld by the court. The high court also saw skirmishes involving media entities over alleged violation of Indian laws. From the Gandhis of the Congress to a host of beleaguered Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders like former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Raghav Chadha and Satyendar Jain knocked on its door for relief in matters that ranged from allege