Page 2 - Indian Air Force

Best practices of 3 forces to be merged under jointness plan: CDS Gen

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, while emphasising the need for achieving jointness and integration in the armed forces, has said that each service will "retain its individual identity", and their best practices will be incorporated. During an interactive session held at an event here on Saturday, he also cited instances from the recent Operation Sindoor that demonstrated the jointness among the three services -- Army, Navy and the Air Force. He took part in the two-day Indian Military Heritage Festival hosted by the defence think-tank USI, from November 14-15. During the interaction, centred around his new book -- 'Ready, Relevant and Resurgent II: Shaping a Future Ready Force', he hinted that there may be a third volume in the offing, which would also have details related to Operation Sindoor. Asked about the government's vision to achieve jointness and integration among the three services of the armed forces, he cited a few examples from the recent military action of Ind

IAF's Su-30MKI fighter jets to take part in bilateral exercise in France

IAF's Su-30MKI jets will operate alongside French multi-role fighters in complex simulated air combat scenarios, as part of a bilateral exercise to be held from November 16-27, officials said on Saturday. Air exercise 'Garuda 25' will be held at Mont-de-Marsan, France. The Indian Air Force is participating in the eighth edition of the bilateral air exercise, with the French Air and Space Force (FASF), the defence ministry said. The IAF contingent arrived in France on November 10, and will be participating with Su-30MKl fighter aircraft. "The airlift support is being provided by the C-17 Globemaster III, for the induction and de-induction phases of the exercise, while the IL-78 air-to-air refuelling tankers are utilised for extending the range and endurance of the participating fighters," the ministry said in a statement. During the exercise, the IAF's Su-30MKI aircraft will operate alongside French multi-role fighters in "complex simulated air combat scenarios, focusing on air-to-

IAF trainer aircraft crashes near Chennai during mission; pilot safe

An Indian Air Force aircraft which was on a routine training mission crashed near Tambaram here on Friday afternoon, officials said. The pilot ejected safely, they said. "An Indian Air Force aircraft 'Pilatus PC-7', which was on a routine training mission, crashed near Tambaram in Chennai on November 14. The pilot ejected safely," an official release said. Responding to a query, an official told PTI that the incident occurred around 2 pm. "A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause," the release added.

Robust network key to the success of Op Sindoor: VCAS Air Marshal Tiwari

Operation Sindoor has shown how an effective operation can be conducted, and had it not been for a "good and robust network", the force might not have been as successful as it was in the military action, a top IAF official said on Tuesday. In his address at a defence seminar, Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari also said the country's integrated network system for the military has evolved in the past 20 years or so, and it allows it to have an "air picture" to monitor the entire country for potential adversarial threat. He spoke of the importance of the networks and how air defence systems like the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Indian Air Force played a key role in Operation Sindoor conducted in May. India launched the military operation early on May 7 and decimated multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan also launched offensives against India, and all subsequent counter-offensives

Watch: President Murmu takes sortie in Rafale fighter jet | Indian Air Force

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Air Force Station in Haryana's Ambala on Wednesday.

President Murmu takes sortie in Rafale fighter jet at Ambala airbase

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Air Force Station in Haryana's Ambala on Wednesday. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh also flew in a sperate aircraft from the same airbase. Before getting on to the Rafale jet, the President wore a G-suit. Murmu, who was holding a helmet in her hand and wearing sun glasses, also posed for pictures with the pilot. Shortly before the aircraft took off at 11.27 am, the President waved from inside the jet. The President was also accorded a ceremonial guard of honour after she arrived at the Air Force Station this morning. Rafale jets were used during Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to the April 22 dastardly Pahalgam terror attack. In April 2023, Murmu, the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces has undertaken a sortie in Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station, Assam. Former presidents A P J Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had undertaken sorties in Sukhoi-30 MKI figh

Centre approves procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore for armed forces

The Defence Acquisition Council has cleared procurement proposals, including purchases of missiles, ships, torpedoes, and advanced surveillance systems, to boost India's defence capability

Army's northern command sets new level of readiness in multi-domain warfare

A tri-service multi-domain exercise was conducted under the aegis of the Army's northern command headquarters, with new lessons, improved reflexes, and the setting of new benchmarks in preparedness for next-generation conflicts, a defence spokesperson said here on Saturday. The exercise, over four days, challenged commanders, staff, and troops with futuristic threats in cyber, space, electromagnetic, and cognitive domains, he said. Central Armed Police Forces, sister services, central government agencies, and private sector players participated jointly, underscoring the importance of an integrated and whole-of-nation approach to the continuously evolving security landscape, the spokesperson added. He said the participation of indigenous defence industry players set a new benchmark for achieving jointness, aatmanirbarta (self-reliance), and innovation. During the exercise, troops deployed in the forward areas practised in situations like cyber intrusion, spectrum saturation, electro

IAF to get first Tejas Mk1A this year; foreign buyers keen: HAL executives

The new Tejas production line was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who also witnessed the maiden flight of the first Mk1A jet to roll out from it

Rajnath to inaugurate HAL's third Tejas line; annual output to rise to 24

The first Tejas Mk1A produced at the third line is fully assembled and has completed all pre-flight tests, HAL officials said

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 ..

In space, nationality fades; humanity comes first: Shubhanshu Shukla

IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), said on Friday that when one leaves the planet to be in space, Earth becomes their identity. Shukla, who was in Goa, said that nationality doesn't matter in space, as humanity takes precedence. Describing his experience at the ISS, he said that looking out from the station felt like being in an office with the best view possible. It was just too fascinating, he said, virtually addressing students from schools affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, as part of a session titled Igniting Minds, Exploring Frontiers: The Convergence of Space, Education, and Industry'. During the interactive session, he said people may have different identities in this world, but they blur when one is in space. When you are a kid and going to school, our home and parents become our identity. When we go to college, the college becomes our identity. When you le

Indian Air Force's transformation 'extraordinary': Air Chief Marshal

The country will rely on the air force to effectively respond to emerging threats, he says

We proved air power's impact in shaping military outcomes: IAF chief

The Indian Air Force's "bold and precise" attacks on enemy targets during Operation Sindoor restored the rightful place of offensive air action in the national consciousness, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Wednesday. The Chief of Air Staff also said that his force has proved to the world how air power can be effectively used in shaping military outcomes in just a few days. Air Chief Marshal Singh was addressing air warriors on the occasion of the Air Force Day at the Hindon air base. "Our performance in Operation Sindoor fills us with professional pride. We proved to the world how air power can be effectively used in shaping military outcome in just a few days," he said. The Chief of Air Staff described Operation Sindoor as a shining example of what can be achieved through "meticulous planning, disciplined training and determined execution." "India's bold and precise attacks restored the rightful place of offensive air action in the national consciousness," he said. "Our robu

IAF showcases might with massive parade at Hindon on 93rd Air Force Day

The Indian Air Force (IAF) displayed its prowess as it held a massive parade at the Hindon Air Base to celebrate the 93rd Indian Air Force Day.The parade featured fighter jets such as Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and MiG-29, along with India's indigenous Netra AEW & C, the C-17 Globemaster III, the indigenous Akash Surface-to-Air Missile System, the C-130J Hercules, Apache attack helicopters fitted with Longbow radar, and the Advanced Light Helicopter.The IAF parade also highlighted the achievements of Operation Sindoor.Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh inspected the parade at Hindon Air Base and took the salute at the parade held at Hindon Air Base as part of the Air Force Day celebrations.Earlier, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi paid tribute to the soldiers at the National War Memorial on the occasion of 93rd Air Force Day.CDS, along .