Page 3 - Indian Air Force

HAL to raise Tejas output as MiG-21 nears exit, but IAF shortfall to remain

Since being inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 has seen action in every major conflict involving India

Army, Navy, IAF education wings merged; 3 joint military stations approved

The armed forces also announced the setting up of three Joint Military Stations

Land will remain currency of victory amid multi-front threats: Army chief

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday underlined the primacy of land forces in any battlefield and said dominance over land will remain the currency of victory in India's context. In an address at an event here, he argued the importance of land forces in any war and referred to last month's summit talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on the Ukraine conflict. "When you go back to the Alaska conference that took place between the two presidents, they just discussed how much land has to exchange hands," Dwivedi said. "In India, since we have two-and-half-front threats, land will remain the currency of victory," he said. The chief of army staff's comments came two weeks after Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said Operation Sindoor had once again established the "primacy" of air power. In his remarks, the army chief also extensively elaborated on the changing nature of warfare and how the Indian Army is carrying out transformative

PM Modi to inaugurate Combined Commanders' Conference in Kolkata on Sept 15

The Armed Forces will host the Combined Commanders' Conference (CCC) 2025 in Kolkata, West Bengal, from September 15 to 17, 2025. The theme for this year's conference is 'Year of Reforms - Transforming for the Future', said a statement from the Ministry of Defence on Monday.The conference will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister and will also be graced by the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Chief of Defence Staff and Defence Secretary. Secretaries from other Ministries are also likely to be present in addition to officers from the three Services and the Integrated Defence Staff.The CCC 2025 will focus on Reforms, Transformation & Change and Operational Preparedness. Together, these reflect the Armed Forces' commitment to institutional reforms, deeper integration and technological modernisation, while sustaining a high level of multi-domain operational readiness.The deliberations will seek to further strengthen the Armed Forces, which are agile .

Operation Sindoor proves India's military prowess, says Chief of Air Staff

Operation Sindoor stands as a shining testament to India's unparalleled prowess and the Indian armed forces demonstrated its capability to deliver swift, precise and decisive blows to the enemy, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has said. Operation Sindoor showcased the exceptional coordination between three services, synergy and integration with the Armed forces and other agencies, he said after reviewing the Passing Out Parade of the Officers Training Academy here. A total of 130 officer cadets and 25 women officer cadets were commissioned into various Arms and Services of the Indian Army while 9 and 12 women Foreign officer cadets from nine friendly countries successfully completed their training, fostering camaraderie and cooperation across international borders. Addressing the gathering, Singh said, "As we look towards future, two things are certain -- fast evolving character of warfare and the increasing relevance of military power." "Operation Sindoo

Less than 50 IAF strikes made Pak seek end to conflict: Air Marshal Tiwari

Less than 50 weapons fired by the Indian Air Force at carefully chosen Pakistani military targets forced Islamabad by mid-day of May 10 to request the end of military hostilities, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari said on Saturday. Air Marshal Tiwari, recounting the mission, said the IAF was able to achieve "complete domination" over the Pakistan military with the strikes that were carried out following Pakistan's attack on the intervening night of May 9 and 10. "I must tell you that it was a key takeaway for us that in less than 50 weapons, we were able to achieve complete domination. It has not happened before," Tiwari said at the NDTV Defence Summit. The senior IAF officer, who played a key role in Operation Sindoor, said some of the Pakistan targets that were "taken out" in the course of the mission were not hit even during the 1971 war. "We made every weapon count and that is a tacit acknowledgement of the capability of our planners and people who ...

India's defence can't depend on 'uncertain foreign interference': Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined plans for Sudarshan Chakra air defence system, citing Operation Sindoor and shifting geopolitics to stress self-reliance

IAF chief lauds Op Sindoor jointness, says don't rush to theatre commands

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh urges a joint planning hub with CDS in Delhi to strengthen tri-service coordination, citing lessons from Operation Sindoor, but warns against rushed theatreisation

Theatre commands 'ultimate goal': Navy Chief on military integration

Warning that technology is accelerating the trend of grey zone activities, the Navy Chief said innocuous fishing vessels could also carry out major offensive actions in the near future

IAF was 'on song' during Op Sindoor, says Air Chief Marshal AP Singh

The Indian Air Force was "on song" and it could have continued its strikes on Pakistan, but it didn't as the desired objective was already achieved, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Tuesday, delving into Operation Sindoor. In a fireside chat at the Army War College, the Chief of Air Staff also said the operation was a reflection of "conflict termination" against the backdrop of many wars across the globe continuing for a longer period. "That night, we were on a song. We could have continued to strike, but that was not our aim. Our objective was already achieved," he said, referring to his force's strikes on Pakistan on the intervening night of May 9 and 10. The Chief of Air Staff also referred to comments, largely on social media, that the Indian military should have continued its strikes against Pakistan. "It is very easy to say that. But why should you prolong a war which can be stopped after having achieved your objective. I think that is what is required," he said. Air Chief

IAF Chief urges joint planning centre, warns against rushed theaterisation

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Tuesday cautioned against going ahead with the theaterisation plan in a hurry and proposed the setting up of a joint planning and coordination centre in Delhi comprising top military brass to ensure tri-services synergy. In a fireside chat at the Army War College, the Chief of Air Staff, referring to proposed theatre commands, said creating a new structure while disrupting everything is not a very good idea at this point of time. The hugely significant remarks by the Air Chief Marshal came three-and-a-half months after India carried out Operation Sindoor that reflected various elements of synergy among the three services. In his remarks, Singh said the operation once again established the "primacy" of air power even as he highlighted the tri-services coordination during the May 7 to 10 conflict with Pakistan. The Chief of Air Staff said Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan played a "very big role" during Operation Sindoor. He highlighted how Gen ..

Sudarshan Chakra project will need huge tri-services efforts: CDS Chauhan

The 'Sudarshan Chakra' air defence system will entail development of a robust infrastructure comprising a range of key tri-services military assets such as missiles and surveillance systems to create an impregnable strategic shield, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said on Tuesday. In an address at a conference, Gen Chauhan said a "whole of the nation" approach will be required to develop the shield. Gen Chauhan also suggested that the Sudarshan Chakra will be on the lines of Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air defence system, known as a very effective missile shield. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 announced the project to develop an indigenous air defence system to protect India's vital military and civilian installations and to deliver a decisive response to any enemy threat, a move that came amid concerns over security challenges emanating from Pakistan and China. In his first remarks on the project, the Chief of Defence Staff said the military will have to look

IAF MiG-21 Bison's last kill was Pakistani F-16 in 2019: Wg Cdr Jaideep

The aircraft was also deployed in an 'operational' role earlier this year in Operation Sindoor, Wing Commander Jaideep Singh said

Shubhanshu Shukla gets hero's welcome in Lucknow after historic space feat

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to his hometown Lucknow on Monday to a rousing reception after becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. Although he arrived in India from the US on August 17, he is visiting the Uttar Pradesh capital now after participating in multiple outreach events, including a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 18. Family members, including his parents Shambhu and Asha Shukla, wife Kamna, and son Kiash, were present at the airport to greet him. They were joined by cheering crowds waving the tricolour and chanting "Vande Mataram". Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, a troupe played drums and trumpets, while students from Shukla's alma mater, City Montessori School (CMS), came dressed in vibrant costumes representing space missions and celestial objects. CMS manager Geeta Gandhi Kingdon was among those personally welcoming the school's celebrated alumnus. From the airport, Shukla embarked on a

After Op Sindoor, India plans major procurement of Israeli Rampage missiles

Post Operation Sindoor in May, the IAF plans to order a large number of Israeli Rampage air-to-ground missiles, already used successfully in precise strikes on Pakistan

Final nod for ₹62,000 crore deal to procure 97 more Tejas Mk1A jets

This will mark the second order for the Mk1A fighter jets, with an earlier contract already placed with HAL for 83 aircraft at a cost of Rs 36,400 crore