Page 3 - Indian Air Force

MiG-21 gave India many proud moments in military aviation journey: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said MiG 21 is not only an aircraft or a machine but a testimony to the deep ties between India and Russia. Singh was addressing a gathering on the occasion of the decommissioning ceremony of the Russian-origin MiG-21 at the Chandigarh Air Force Station here. The iconic Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been the backbone of Indian Air Force's combat fleet for over six decades, flew for the last time in Indian skies here on Friday, bringing the curtain down on a 62-year-long journey. The legendary MiG-21 fighter jets have been part of the IAF's combat fleet since the 1960s. Remembering the valour of the armed forces, Singh said the MiG 21 has a big contribution in their journey of bravery. "We gathered here for the final operational sortie of MiG 21. Being amongst you, I have emotions of pride and gratitude," Singh said. "When we are today giving a send-off to MiG 21 from its operational journey, I feel that we are giving a .

Air Force use would have slowed Chinese offensive in 1962 war: CDS Chauhan

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday said the use of Air Force would have slowed the Chinese offensive considerably during the 1962 Sino-Indian war and it may have been termed as "escalatory" then, but that is not the case now as seen in Operation Sindoor. Speaking about the war with China 63 years ago, he noted the forward policy should not have been applied uniformly to Ladakh and NEFA (North-East Frontier Agency) or present-day Arunachal Pradesh, arguing the two regions had different histories of dispute and entirely different terrain, and following identical policies was flawed. Over the years, the security situation has changed and the face of warfare itself has got transformed, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) maintained. General Chauhan made the remarks in a recorded video message played during the release of the revised autobiography of the late Lieutenant General S P P Thorat - 'Reveille to Retreat' - in Pune. Lt Gen Thorat was the General Officer ...

Sudarshan Chakra will be 'mother of all air defence systems': CISC Dixit

India's proposed air defence system Sudarshan Chakra will be the "mother of all air defence systems combined together" and will include counter-drone, counter-UAV and counter-hypersonic systems among others, a top military official said on Tuesday. In his address at a conference 'Counter UAVs & Air Defence Systems: Future of Modern Warfare' here, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit also said that the adversary has learnt from Operation Sindoor and so "we will have to be two steps ahead" of them in military thinking and planning. The event saw participation of senior military officers, representatives of various firms in the defence industry and domain experts. Air Marshal Dixit gave references to the recent Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war and how relatively much cheaper drones have played a critical role in inflicting huge damage to expensive military assets of the other side. They have created an "innovation adaption cycle" and .

IAF's Surya Kiran aerobatic team enthrals people at Hisar air show

The Indian Air Force's elite Surya Kiran team enthralled people with skillful aerobatic feats during an air show at Maharaja Agrasen Airport Complex here on Sunday. A large number of people from Hisar and surrounding districts, along with officers and soldiers from the Army cantonment, their families, and students from Army Public School and National Cadet Corps witnessed the performance. Speaking on the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the air show is a source of inspiration for youth. The show conveyed a strong message of discipline, teamwork and unwavering patriotism, and each feat of the Surya Kiran aerobatic team reflected the spirit of the motto 'Sadaiva Sarvottam' (always the best), he said. He also expressed confidence that the youth will take pride in the country's armed forces and bring glory to the nation. Addressing the officers, soldiers and civilians, Saini said that Indian Air Force is a vital part of the nation's security shield. Under the .

World should learn from India on swift conflict resolution: IAF Chief

The world has to learn a lesson from India on how to start and terminate a conflict at the earliest possible opportunity, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Friday, highlighting the clear goals set by India while carrying out Operation Sindoor. In an address at an event, the Air Chief Marshal said full freedom was given to the military for the operation and that no restrictions were imposed on it by the political leadership. Asserting that the primacy of the air power was on display during the May7-10 conflict with Pakistan, he said the S-400 missile system has turned out to be a game-changer as the enemy was in disarray in view of the range and power of the weapon. Air Chief Marshal Singh said many of Pakistan's military bases were damaged. "A lot of their infrastructure, radars, control and coordination centres, their hangars, aircraft, suffered a lot of damages," he said. The Indian Air Force Chief also took a pot-shot at those who sought proof of the effica

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