Page 27 - Indian Air Force

IAF carries out air exercise in Northeast; gets last of 36 Rafale jets

The Indian Air Force, bolstered by its full complement of Rafale combat jets, on Thursday launched a major exercise covering the Northeastern region amid a fresh spike of border tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh. The two-day mega exercise is involving almost all its frontline fighter jets and other assets deployed in the region, people familiar with the drill said. In a tweet, the IAF said the last of the 36 Rafale jets joined the force. The IAF inducted the Rafale aircraft into its 101 Squadron of the Eastern Air Command at the Hasimara in July last year. The first Rafale squadron with around 18 jets is based in Ambala air base. "FEET DRY! 'The Pack is Complete'. The last of the 36 IAF Rafales landed in India after a quick enroute sip from a UAE Air Force tanker," the IAF said. Sources said the French-manufactured jet joined the second Rafale squadron in Hasimara that increased its strength to 18 aircraft. They said the second squadron of R

Indian Air Force to carry out 2-day exercise in Northeast from Thursday

The Indian Air Force will carry out a two-day exercise in the Northeast involving almost all its frontline fighter jets and other assets deployed in the region amid the fresh tensions between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh following the last week's face-off in the area. Sources said the exercise is aimed at checking the IAF's overall combat capability and military preparedness in the region. They, however, said the exercise was planned much before the face-off between the Indian and Chinese armies and it is not related to the incident. The sources said IAF's frontline fighter jets including Sukhoi-30MKIs and Rafale jets will be part of the exercise besides several other platforms deployed in the region. All frontline air bases and some key Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the Northeast are set to be involved in the exercise, said a source. The sources said the top brass of the Eastern Air Command will also undertake a comprehensive review of

Indian Air Force patrols Arunachal skies to prevent violation by Chinese

After tension erupted between the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Arunachal Pradesh, Indian Air Force (IAF) jets were patrolling the skies of Arunachal Pradesh.

Hindustan Aeronautics told to conduct Aero India 2023 in February

"Hon'ble Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) has approved that the DDP will conduct the 14th edition of Aero India 2023 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, from 13th- 17th February 2023"

IAF set to place Rs 1,400 cr order for new age missiles to destroy radars

In a push to induct indigenously developed weapon systems, the IAF has moved a Rs 1,400 crore proposals to govt for acquiring Rudram next-generation anti-radiation missiles

26th edition of Malabar 22 draws to a close in Japan with tactical drills

The five-day-long event sa­w the participation of an Australian submarine, and 11 surface ships including a US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with its integral air elements

Indian Air Force procures electric vehicles to reduce carbon footprint

The Indian Air Force on Tuesday inducted a fleet of electric vehicles in keeping with the government's initiative on introduction of green mobility. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari flagged off the first batch of 12 electric vehicles in the presence of other senior officers and staff. "In order to achieve reduction in carbon footprint and in keeping with the government of India's initiative on introduction of green mobility, the IAF has inducted a fleet of Tata Nexon electric vehicles," the IAF said in a statement. It said the force is planning to enhance the usage of electric vehicles in a progressive manner by procuring e-vehicles against downgraded conventional vehicles. "Augmentation of the e-vehicles ecosystem, including installation of charging infrastructure at various Air Force bases, is also planned. The first batch of electric cars introduced today will be deployed in Delhi NCR units for performance monitoring and analysis," it said. "To create a standardised inventory of

Chief of Air Staff V R Chaudhari holds talks with French counterpart

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Monday held wide-ranging talks with his French counterpart Gen Stephane Mille focusing on ways to boost bilateral military cooperation in the backdrop of various geopolitical developments. The top-ranking French military official is on a visit to India. "General Stphane Mille, Chief of Staff of the French Air & Space Force called on Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, #CAS at Air HQ, New Delhi today. The two Chiefs discussed ways & means to enhance bilateral ties & strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest," the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted. It is learnt that the overall situation in the Indo-Pacific as well as the Indian Ocean Region figured in the talks between Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari and Gen Mille. The visit by Gen Mile came amid an 18-day military exercise between the Indian and French air forces in Jodhpur. The 'Garuda VII' exercise, involving a significant number of combat jets such as Rafale, Tejas, ...

Handling a high-tech Chinese military

Unanswered questions remain over India's readiness for such a contingency

Revisit denial to disclose report on armed forces' pay: CIC to PMO

The Central Information Commission has directed the Prime Minister's Office to "revisit" its refusal to disclose under the RTI a 14-year old report by a Group of Ministers led by former External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on pay and pension of armed forces personnel on grounds that it was "highly sensitive". The directive came after the RTI applicant told the panel that substantial portions of the report that were termed "highly sensitive" and "prejudicially affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India" by the PMO, have already been declassified and disclosed by the Defence Ministry. Through his RTI application dated January 31, 2021, S Y Savur had sought the copy of the report submitted by Mukherjee on December 19, 2008 for then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's approval and copy of the approval along with file notes, office memorandum along with all relevant information that "preceded" the approval. The PMO had refused to disclose the report and other documents, calling t

Andhra cadre IAS Giridhar Aramane takes charge as new defence secretary

Seasoned bureaucrat Giridhar Aramane on Tuesday assumed charge as the new defence secretary at a time the government has been focusing on modernising the three services. Aramane, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was serving as secretary of the ministry of road transport and highways prior to his new assignment. Before taking charge, Aramane laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen heroes. "We draw inspiration from these bravehearts and promise to work towards fulfilling their dream of making India a safe and prosperous country," he said. Aramane succeeded Ajay Kumar, who retired from service on Monday. In his 32-year career as an IAS officer, Aramane has held various important positions in the central government as well as the Andhra Pradesh government. He also served as an additional secretary in the cabinet secretariat. Aramane looked after the exploration division in the ministry of petroleum and natural gas and was exec

Time for Made-in-India passenger aircraft, says PM Narendra Modi

The PM stressed that India would need more than 2,000 aircraft in the next 15 years

Army's first inter-service paragliding championship begins in Bir Billing

The first Inter services paragliding X-country championship begin with a colourful opening ceremony at the mountainous belt of Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh. Commenced on Saturday, the Championship, a first of its kind, is being conducted from October 29 to November 01, under the aegis of army adventure wing (AAW), defence spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said on Sunday. The day's activities saw around 15 paragliding pilots from the Indian Army and Navy taking off from Billing and landing at Bir located approximately 13 to 14 kilometers, in a display of their ability of navigating X-country in air. "Paragliding is primarily a recreational and competitive adventure sport. The ability of the paragliding flight to last many hours and cover large distance is, what is of great importance to the Armed Forces, as it will facilitate aerial insertions behind enemy lines," Anand said. The opening ceremony was presided over by Brigadier AK Singh, who welcomed the paragliding pilots from the

Tata, Airbus grab Rs 22,000-cr project to make C-295 aircraft in Gujarat

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday announced it had, for the first time, entrusted a private firm - Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) - to manufacture an entire aircraft for the military

Govt mulls helipads along new highways for evacuations during emergencies

The government is looking at having helipads along new highways as that will help in immediate evacuations during emergencies. The ministries of civil aviation and road transport have discussed the proposal, according to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. To enhance connectivity, especially in remote and hilly areas, the civil aviation ministry has been pushing for increasing the use of helicopters. "All the new highways should have helipads... along them so that infrastructure is in place," Scindia said. Helipads on the national highways will help in immediate evacuations during emergencies, he noted. Both Scindia and the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen (Retd) V K Singh pitched for having helipads in every district. They were speaking at the Civil Aviation Ministers' Conference in the national capital. The government has also decided to incubate a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) pilot called 'Project Sanjeevani' by deploying a helicopter in the

Tata A&D looks to make mark in DefExpo, eyes mega tender for combat planes

TASL's executives explain that the company's expertise lies in setting up production facilities in quick time, with mature processes for transferring work packages from global customers

President Murmu, Rajnath Singh witness IAF prowess on Air Force Day

The Indian Air Force on Saturday put up a dazzling show here with over 70 military aircraft and helicopters, drawn from its modern and vintage fleet, displaying skillful manoeuvres on the occasion of its 90th anniversary celebrations. It is the IAF's first annual Air Force Day parade and fly-past outside the Delhi-National Capital Region. Prior to the spectacular air display, a ceremonial parade was held at the air force station here in the morning which, was inspected by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari. In his address, Chaudhari said the central government has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for IAF officers, which would save around Rs 3,400 crore in flying training. President Murmu was the chief guest for the air show. Rajnath Singh, Punjab and Haryana Governors Banwarilal Purohit and Bandaru Dattatreya, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher were also present at the event. The IAF chief, and senior serving and

Weapon systems branch approved for IAF for first time: Air Chief Marshal

The Centre on Saturday approved the creation of a weapon systems branch for the Indian Air Force (IAF) officers for the first time since Independence

IAF to unveil new combat uniform for personnel on Air Force Day

The Chief of Air Staff will unveil the new pattern of combat uniform for Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day here on Saturday, officials said here. Air Force Day marks the official induction of the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a supporting force of the UK's Royal Air Force in 1932. Every year, the day is celebrated in the presence of the Indian Air Force chief and senior officers. "There will be a parade in the morning at the Air Force station here. On the occasion, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari will unveil the new combat uniform for air force personnel," an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer told reporters here. "We already have a combat uniform, but the pattern will be changed into something called digital camouflage," he added. The officer said nearly 80 helicopters and transport aircraft will take part in the flypast and demonstrations over Sukhna Lake here on Saturday afternoon. However, the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters and transport aircraft Avro

Spinning success

Development of Prachanda helicopters by HAL is encouraging