Page 20 - Indian Air Force

Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: IAF flies in 'critical DRDO equipment' to site

Earlier, on Sunday, a plasma-cutting machine was flown to the tunnel site from Hyderabad to cut through the Auger drilling machine and its stuck blades from inside the tunnel

India set to begin ambitious defence projects worth Rs 1.4 trillion

These three projects for the Indian Airforce include aircraft carrier, Tejas fighters, and Prachand helicopters

U'khand tunnel rescue: IAF airlifts another 36 tonne of critical equipment

Employing a C-17 and two C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, the IAF airlifted 36 tonne of critical equipment on Monday, continuing to lend assistance to efforts being made to rescue workers trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, officials said. Rescuers on Monday pushed through a six-inch-wide pipeline through the rubble of the collapsed tunnel, a breakthrough that will help them supply larger quantities of food and possibly allow live visuals of the 41 workers trapped inside for eight days. So far, a four-inch existing tube was being used to supply oxygen and items like dry fruit and medicines into the section of the tunnel beyond the rubble of the collapsed portion of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand. The IAF has been ferrying heavy machineries to aid rescue operations at the tunnel site. "#IAF assistance for the rescue operations at Uttarkashi continues unabated. Employing a C-17 and two C-

Air Force sends Rafales after 'UFO' sighting near Imphal airport on Sunday

The Eastern Command of the Indian Air Force said that it had activated its air defence response mechanism

Chaudhari emphasises role of private sector in boosting IAF's capability

Private industries will play a very important role not only in enhancing Indian Air Force capabilities but also in increasing the productivity and production ability of defence public sector units, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said on Sunday. Responding to a question during a session at the Synergia Conclave 2023, he said the private industry also needs to ensure that they match up with the production capability to ensure that the rollout of fighters that the Air Force orders takes place on time. He said there is definitely a huge role for the private industry to enhance IAF's capability by helping the lead integrators roll out aircraft. Without doubt, the private industry will play a very important role, not only in enhancing our capability but also in enhancing the productivity or the production capability of the defence PSUs, the IAF chief said. What we have to understand is that though we place the order on the defence PSU for any equipment, they (the private sector) w

IAF to develop indigenous jammer pod for LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft

"IAF's Base Repair Depots have been tasked to indigenise many of the equipment required on its fighter and transport aircraft and other weapon systems and cut down imports," officials added

CWC Final: IAF's aerobatic team performs rehearsal over stadium in Gujarat

The Suryakiran Aerobatic team will perform an air show ahead of the final match of the tournament on Sunday

U'khand tunnel: IAF deploys C-17 to airlift critical equipment from Indore

Amid rescue operations underway in Uttarakhand at the Silkyara tunnel site, a C-17 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force has been deployed to airlift almost 22 tonnes of critical equipment from Indore to Dehradun, officials said on Friday. Working round-the-clock with a powerful machine, rescue workers have drilled through up to 24 metres of rubble in the Silkyara tunnel till Friday afternoon, inching closer to the 40 labourers trapped inside for five days. "The IAF has continued with its operations to assist the ongoing tunnel rescue underway at Dharasu, Uttarakhand. An IAF C-17 has been deployed to airlift almost 22 Tonnes of critical equipment from Indore to Dehradun. #FirstResponders #HADROps," the IAF posted on X. It also shared images of the C-17 aircraft and a machine on-board in its post.

India sends over 9 tonnes of relief material to Nepal after earthquake

On Sunday, India sent an emergency aid package, comprising medical equipment, relief materials and more, for people affected by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Nepal

Top IAF commanders to hold 2-day conclave on boosting India's air power

Top commanders of the Indian Air Force will hold extensive deliberations on national security challenges and ways to enhance India's overall air power at a two-day conference next week. The commanders are expected to also carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation along the border with China and Pakistan during the deliberations, sources said on Friday. The IAF Commanders' conference will take place in Delhi on October 26 and 27, they said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan are among those who will address the commanders. The commanders will hold wide-ranging deliberations on the IAF's plans for the future with an aim to bolster its combat capabilities, the sources said. They are especially expected to hold extensive deliberations on use of new technologies.

IAF to equip Russian-origin Su-30MKIs with indigenous 'Virupaaksha' radar

Virupaaksha is one of the names of god Mahadev worshipped by Hindus living across the world

'IAF's Eastern Command building capability to use any available airfield'

Air Marshal SP Dharkar said the Indian Air Force is developing its capability to use any available airfield, including civilian ones, in the eastern part of the country to mitigate the shortage of such landing facilities. He said the Eastern Air Command is introducing all the latest technologies to be able to protect the country's air space and borders in a more efficient way. "There are a number of airfields around us. We have the capability and we are building the capacity to be able to use every airfield that exists in this region," Dharkar told reporters here on Sunday. The IAF is developing its prowess to use a civilian airfield or military airfield or even an advanced landing ground in case of a need, he added. "We have that capability and we retain that plan. There is continuous improvement taking place in that regard," said Air Marshal Dharkar, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command. Because of this strategy, the IAF will also have enough number of ...

Indian Air Force may hold air show in Arunachal: Air Marshal Dharkar

The Indian Air Force (IAF) may conduct an air show in Arunachal Pradesh, the first-ever such display of the force's air power in the strategically crucial state bordering China, Air Marshal SP Dharkar said on Sunday. The AOC-in-C of the Eastern Air Command told reporters that it's challenging to hold an air show in a hilly terrain like that of Arunachal Pradesh, but it is still an "interesting" idea for the force to have an air show there. Dharkar was responding to a query if the IAF will ever conduct an air show in Arunachal Pradesh to display its prowess to the common people. "It's an interesting proposition, I am sure we will look at it," he added. Dharkar said, "May be you will cover the next air show that we will hold in some locations in Arunachal Pradesh in the near future." The Indian Air Force on Sunday organised an air display at Borjhar station involving various choppers and fighter aircraft like Sukhoi-30 and Rafale.

Indian Air Force airlifts 149 civilians stranded in flood-hit Skikim

The airlift came after six days of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in South Lhonak Lake, which created havoc across the Teesta basin in Sikkim and North Bengal, said the official statement

Sikkim flash flood: Death toll at 34, IAF begins rescuing stranded tourists

Thirty-four bodies, including those of 10 army jawans, have been recovered so far from the slush and debris of the flash flood in Teesta river that devastated Sikkim, while the search continued for the over 105 people who are still missing, officials said on Monday. The Indian Air Force has started rescue and relief operations in the Himalayan state, airlifting the first batch of stranded tourists from Lachen to Mangan in North Sikkim. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang held a review meeting with Chief Secretary VB Pathak, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, who has reached Gangtok, and other officials for coordinated relief and rescue operations along with armed forces. Apart from the 34 fatalities reported in Sikkim, the Jalpaiguri district administration in adjoining northern West Bengal said that 40 bodies have been fished out from downstream Teesta. However, officials warned that there might be some duplication in the toll reported by the two states. In Sikkim, Pakyong ...

IAF conducts disaster relief operations in Sikkim, starts humanitarian aid

The Indian Air Force has started humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in Sikkim, devastated by a flash flood in Teesta river, a Defence official said on Monday. Thirty-three bodies, including those of nine army jawans, have been recovered so far from slush and debris left behind by the flash flood that devastated Sikkim, while the search continued for more than 105 people who are still missing, officials in the Himalayan state said. The Jalpaiguri district administration in adjoining northern West Bengal has said 40 bodies were fished out of the river downstream. Officials warned that the figures reported by Sikkim and West Bengal may have some duplication even as both states were keeping each other informed of their respective rescue efforts. "The IAF commenced its humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations from Air Force Station Bagdogra for the flood victims of Sikkim on the Air Force Day," the Defence official said. The air force started carrying Garud commando

Air Chief Marshal unveils new ensign of IAF at Air Force Day parade

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Sunday unveiled a new ensign of the Indian Air Force (IAF), replacing the existing one that was adopted more than seven decades back. The IAF Chief released the new ensign at the 91st IAF Day celebrations in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. In the new ensign, the IAF crest features in the top right corner. It is a momentous day in the annals of the IAF's history, the force said on 'X'. The unveiling of the new ensign by the IAF came over a year after the Navy made changes in its ensign shedding its colonial past. The existing ensign was adopted in 1950, replacing the Royal Indian Air Force ensign that featured the Union Jack and the RIAF roundel (red, white and blue). "As we start a new chapter in the history of IAF, let us all strive to be the change that we want to see," Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said in his Air Force Day address. "Let us work together to take our air force to greater heights and let us use our commitment and ..

Need to enhance capabilities in view of dynamic environment: IAF chief

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Sunday called on his force to refine its strategy, enhance all-round capabilities and develop a flexible mindset to "prosecute" possible future wars, considering the current "complex" and "dynamic" strategic environment. In an address to air warriors on the occasion of the Air Force Day, the Chief of Air Staff said the current geopolitical landscape has provided the force an opportunity to reduce dependency on imports by developing indigenous capability. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari also underlined the need for understanding the nuances of evolving air power, "setting the pace to preserve peace and if and when necessary, to fight and win wars." He said the world is changing at a rapid pace and the IAF must meet all new challenges coming its way. "In this complex and dynamic strategic environment, refining our strategy, building robust all round capabilities and more importantly, developing a flexible mind-set to prosecute future wars will prove ...

PM Modi extends greetings to air warriors on IAF's 91st foundation day

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari arrived on Sunday morning at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj to participate in the Air Force Day celebrations

Shah, Rajnath Singh, and CM Yogi extend greetings to IAF on foundation day

Indian Air Force on Sunday morning started the 91st-anniversary celebration with a ceremonial parade at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj