As part of the ongoing exercise Gagan Shakti-24, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft recently operated from the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in the northern sector in Kashmir valley. A large number of troops were airlifted and subsequently air landed utilising Chinook, Mi-17 V5 and ALH Mk-III helicopters by night.IAF also plans to practise similar drills in coordination with administration of State Governments for activation of ELFs in other sectors. Various IAF fixed and rotary wing platforms will carry out coordinated landing and operations at these ELFs. Whole-of-the-Nation-Approach (WNA). ELF operations provide an opportunity for IAF aircraft to undertake operations from such restricted landing surfaces while also being able to undertake Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Relief operations during times of natural calamities to provide relief. The capability to operate by night at these stretches of highways, and the capability to transfer troops from such surfaces will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of Indian Armed Force.
05 April,2024 11:59 AM IST
In a historic milestone, indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft on March 28 completed its first flight. The aircraft airborne for 15 minutes during its first maiden flight, as per Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Currently, two squadrons of IAF, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with LCA Tejas. HAL has current capacity to build 8 LCA aircraft per year, this is being increased to 16 aircraft's every year by 2025. In coming years the capacity will be further increased to 24 aircraft every year in the next 3 years. Over Rs 9000 crore have been sanctioned for the development of LCA Mk 2, an updated and advanced version of LCA Tejas. Earlier in the 2023, Air Chief Marshal stated that the Indian Air Force aims to replace the MiG-21 fighter jets with LCA Tejas.
28 March,2024 05:18 PM IST
As India celebrates its 75th Republic Day today, a grand display of military prowess, culture and women empowerment was seen in India’s Republic Day parade 2024. The Indian Air Force, in a mighty display of power and skill, executed gravity-defying maneuvers by Indian Air Force aircrafts in the Republic Day 2024 Flypast. The viewers were left speechless as IAF’s famed aircrafts like Apache, Sukhoi and Rafale pulled off dangerous stunts in the sky. In the ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the National Flag at Kartavya Path. The ceremony was followed by the National anthem and a 21 Gun salute. President Droupadi Murmu was given the national salute by the President's Bodyguard at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan.
26 January,2024 04:42 PM IST
The Indian Air Force's An-32 aircraft, which went missing over the Bay of Bengal in 2016, has been discovered seven years later. On July 22, 2016, the airplane had inexplicably disappeared over the Bay of Bengal, carrying 29 people. The airplane search and rescue operation grew to be one of India's largest. On August 1, 2016, it was discovered that the aircraft lacked an underwater location beacon, and the rescue effort was called off on September 15, 2016. The National Institute of Ocean Technology employed an AUV to identify a missing aircraft on the seabed about 310 kilometers off the coast of Chennai. The search was carried out at a depth of 3400 m with various payloads. The search images were scrutinized and found to be conforming with an An-32 aircraft.
13 January,2024 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai
In a big boost to Air Defence System, India has strongly demonstrated the firepower of its Akash surface-to-air (SAM) weapon system. With a single-firing unit, the Akash weapon system simultaneously engaged and destroyed 4 unmanned targets during recent Air Force Exercise Astrashakti 2023. As per officials, 4 targets coming from same direction in close formation were split to attack their defence assets from multiple directions simultaneously. With this, India has become 1st to demonstrate capability of engaging 4 targets simultaneously at such ranges by command guidance using single firing unit. Notably, Akash has been deployed by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army at key locations to counter threats. The current firing was done from the system, which was ordered in September 2019 as a repeat order from the IAF. The Akash weapon system is also one of the indigenous defence systems that have bagged orders from international customers. Notably, it is also being constantly upgraded by DRDO scientists involved in it and they may get more orders from Southeast Asia and Middle East.
18 December,2023 11:34 AM IST
The Indian Air Force scrambled its Rafale fighter aircraft to search UFO in Imphal airport. The development came after a suspected ‘UFO’ was seen over Imphal airport around 2:30 pm on Nov 19. Earlier, a drone that was very small in appearance was spotted by security personnel at Imphal Airport on Sunday at 3 pm, according to sources. An alert was issued to other agencies at the airport and operations were postponed, sources added. Following the visual input, the Indian Air Force activated its Air Defence response. "IAF activated its Air Defence response mechanism based on visual inputs from Imphal Airport. The small object was not seen thereafter," IAF’s Eastern Air Command tweeted in regards to the UFO in Imphal that was sighted.
20 November,2023 05:32 PM IST
The Surya Kiran acrobatic team of the Indian Air Force, which will perform an air show, ahead of the WC final between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad held a rehearsal session on November 18. The Surya Kiran team members performed some dazzling displays and flew in different formations. Anticipation is building among people not only for the cricket final but also for the aerial performance that will precede it. India will lock horns with the Australian Army in a World Cup final on November 19, seeking its third World Cup championship
18 November,2023 05:21 PM IST | Mumbai
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, an Indian Air Force flight C-17 Globemaster carrying relief materials departed for El-Arish airport in Egypt on October 22. The flight carried 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine. It included essential life-saving drugs, tents, sleeping bags, sanitary utilities among other necessary items. The medical supplies including life-saving drugs, surgical items aimed for handling emergency medical conditions. The flight carrying the relief supplies from the Hindon airbase will land at El-Arish airport in Egypt. India has been one of the first countries to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine. The move comes amid the escalating recent war between Israel and Hamas. According to Reuters, over 4,300 Gazans and at least 1,400 Israelis have been killed.
22 October,2023 01:49 PM IST
As India observes Indian Air Force Day 2023 today, new ensign was unveiled after 72 years. Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari arrived at the Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj, UP to participate in the Air Force Day celebrations. He unveiled the new Indian Air Force ensign during the Air Force Day celebrations.
08 October,2023 12:56 PM IST
India’s indigenous Medium Range Surface to Air Missile Air Defence System has been deployed in Punjab’s Adampur. The system is a joint production of the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Israel Aerospace Industries. DRDO has made significant success in terms of developing air defence weapons for both ground-based and warship-based systems. Wing Commander Ajit Bhaskar Vasane shared the details of the newly inducted MRSAM Air Defence System. The Indian defence forces already have the S-400 air defence systems, which can hit targets at 400 Km maximum distance.
07 October,2023 01:31 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
