Page 20 - Indian Air Force

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

IAF celebrates 91 Foundation Day at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj

Air Force Day marks the official induction of the Indian Air Force (IAF) into the country's armed forces in 1932

Sikkim flash floods: Over 3,000 tourists stranded in Lachen, Lachung

More than 3,000 tourists are stranded in Lachen and Lachung in Mangan district of Sikkim after flash flood hit the area and cut off all road communications are safe on Saturday, officials said. The Indian Air Force made multiple attempts to carry out rescue and relief operations by Mi-17 helicopters but was unable to fly from Bagdogra as well as Chaten due to the inclement weather, low-lying cloud cover and low visibility conditions in the Lachen and Lachung valley, they said. The roads to Lachen and Lachung are damaged. An alternative route to Chungthang via Dzongu is in the process of being opened for the rescue teams to move forward. Teesta Urja has also provided a chopper for the rescue of tourists and the supply of essential commodities to the Chungtang area. An ITBP team that reached the area is carrying out relief and rescue in Chungthang at the moment, officials said. The India Meteorological Department in a weather forecast with respect to Mangan district said light to ..

All measures in place to counter drone threat, any eventuality: IAF

The Indian Air Force has put all measures in place to counter the threat of drones from across the Indo-Pak border in Jammu, a senior IAF official said, adding that it is prepared for all eventualities. The official added that most operations undertaken by IAF in the region have been successful. "See we are prepared for any eventuality and all measures are in place," Air Officer Commanding (AoC) Jammu, Air Commodore S S Rawat told reporters here to a question on drone threats. On being asked about the success rate of IAF's surveillance operations, Rawat said most of the operations are successful. The IAF is deployed for such operations in coordination with the Army, Rawat added. On the flash floods in Sikkim floods, the AoC said security forces and the administration are doing their best. "Whatever is possible is being done. We have sympathies with them, he said. Another official added that the IAF personnel are trained for such rescue and relief operations. AoC is empowered to ..

HAL hands over first LCA Tejas twin-seater aircraft to Indian Air Force

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Wednesday handed over the first LCA Tejas twin seater aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The Bengaluru-headquartered company said the twin seater variant has all the capabilities to support the training requirements of the IAF and augments itself to the role of fighter as well in case of necessity. Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt was the chief guest during the function wherein the unveiling of the LCA twin seater, handing over of Release to Service (RSD), Signalling out Certificate (SOC) were conducted in the presence of Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, among others. The LCA Tejas twin seater is a light weight, all weather multi-role 4.5 generation aircraft. It is an amalgamation of contemporary concepts and technologies, such as relaxed static-stability, quadraplex fly-by-wire flight control, carefree maneuvering, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems and advanced composite materials for the ..

Indian Air Force to procure weapons worth Rs 2.5-3 trn in next 7-8 years

Chaudhari said the IAF was constantly monitoring the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially in eastern Ladakh

Countering China's number advantage by better tactics: IAF chief Chaudhari

The IAF Chief pointed out that owing to the volatile and uncertain geopolitical landscape in the region, "the need to have a strong and credible military has become imperative"