Rafale, Tejas Catch Eyes On The Indian Air Force Day At The Hindon Airbase
The day is celebrated every year on October 8 as the IAF was founded on this in 1932
Today is the 89th Indian Air Force Day. Like every year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated the occasion at the Hindon Air Base, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
The site of everyone's attraction was the performances of the IAF's fighter planes Rafale, Tejas, Mig-Bison, Mig-35, C-17 Globemaster, and Mirage 2000.
Paratrooper teams, Akash Ganga and Dangel, performed parachuting and sky diving.
'Atmanirbhar Aur Saksham'
This year's theme is 'Atmanirbhar Aur Saksham' (Self-Reliant and Capable). The Air Force also commemorated 50 years of the India-Pakistan 1971 Bangladesh liberation war's win. The IAF had played a vital role in winning over Pakistan in 1971. The year is being celebrated as Vijaya Varsh (Victory Year) by the IAF.
The chief guest of the event was the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat while all the three chiefs of defense staff were also present at the celebration.
Air Chief Marshall Vivek Ram Chaudhary honored the Air Force officers for their excellent services to the country.
The Indian Air Force:
The fourth-largest air force in the world after the United States, Russia, and China, the IAF was founded on October 8, 1932, to work as a supporting force to the Royal Air Force of Britain. Back then, it was called the Royal Indian Air Force. As India became a republic in 1950, the prefix was dropped.
With its first squadron forming in 1933, the IAF has now 33 squadrons out of 42 authorized ones. A squadron comprises 16 to 18 fighter planes. The latest squadrons added to the fleet were of Rafale jets.
To cope and give back to the emerging threat of a two-front war at the Line Of Control (LOC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the theorization of the Indian armed forces is in process. The IAF is a vital part of it.
Theaterisation of the defense forces means the convergence of the capabilities of the three armed forces to better prepare for the emerging security concerns by optimally utilizing the resources for wars and operations.
'Challenges Rising'
Addressing the IAF parade, Air Chief Marshall said, “The security environment in our region and beyond has been impacted by a complex interplay of geopolitical forces… Moreover, the advent of new domains over and above the traditional domains of land, sea, and air have resulted in a paradigm shift in the way military operations will be conducted.”
He further added, “As our challenges continue to rise, so does our strength and resolve to ensure best possible application of airpower".
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