IAF personnel march past during the 86th Air Force Day Parade 2018 at Air Force Station at Hindon in Ghaziabad, Monday, Oct 8, 2018. (Image: PTI)
Ghaziabad, October 8 (IANS) Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa on Monday said the induction of Rafale fighter aircraft, the S-400 missile system and the Apache and Chinook choppers will considerably enhance the IAF's capabilities.
"We are in the process of acquiring new combat systems... The acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft, the S-400 missile systems, Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy lift helicopters would further enhance our capabilities," he said in his address to a gathering of IAF officers and personnel on the 86th anniversary of the Air Force at Hindan air base.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, as also former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, a Honorary Group Captain of the IAF, were present on the occasion.
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Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa reviews the 86th Air Force Day Parade 2018 at Air Force Station at Hindon in Ghaziabad. (Image: PTI)[/caption]
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Indian Air Force's fighter aircraft Su-30MKI flies-past during the 86th Air Force Day Parade 2018 at Air Force Station, Hindon in Ghaziabad. (Image: PTI)[/caption]
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Indian Air Force (IAF) C17 Globemaster transport aircraft is escorts by two Su-30 MKI fighter aircrafts during a fly past to celebrate Air Force day at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad. (Image: AP)[/caption]
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IAF personnel perform a drill with their rifles during the 86th Air Force Day Parade 2018 at Air Force Station at Hindon in Ghaziabad. (Image: PTI)[/caption]
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Indian Air Force Mi 17 helicopters flies by C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft during the Indian Air Force day parade at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad. (Image: AP)[/caption]
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Former India cricket team captain Sachin Tendulkar who also holds Indian Air Force's honorary rank of Group Captain shakes hand with Indian Air Force Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa as Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat watches during the Indian Air Force day parade, at Hindon air base in Ghaziabad. (Image: AP)[/caption]
While the Congress has been accusing the Modi government of indulging in crony capitalism and benefiting "a few friends" at the cost of the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in the Rs 59,000 crore Rafale deal, Dhanoa maintained that the deal for 36 Rafale jets was an emergency purchase and that India got a good deal.
India also signed the Rs 39,000 crore deal with Russia for S-400 Triumf missile system last week despite US threats of sanctions.
Speaking about Exercise Gagan Shakti, the largest-ever pan-IAF drill that showcased the IAF's capabilities and preparedness, Dhanoa said the IAF was "ever prepared to meet any contingency that challenges the defence of our country".
During the exercise, designed to practise real time deployment of air power in a realistic short and intense battle scenario in case of a two-front war in coordination with the Army and Navy, more than 11,000 sorties were flown including 9,000 sorties of fighter aircraft.
Over 1,400 officers and 14,000 men were pulled out of training and maintenance units and deployed for the exercise.
"The IAF further expanded its participation in bilateral and multi-national exercise with air forces of friendly foreign countries such as Australia, Russia, Israel, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. These exercises have helped us build relations and kept us abreast with the latest practices and technological developments in the world of military aviation," the Air Chief Marshal said.
The IAF held a spectacular air show on Monday in which the Mig-21, Mig-29, Su-30 MKI, Tejas and Dhruv helicopters pulled breathtaking manoeuvres.
There was the grandeur of the roaring and splitting of Mig-29 jets and the gravity-defying vertical charlie by single Su-30 apart during the show but it was the manoeuvres, including rolls and loops, of the indigenously-built Tejas light combat aircraft that was the show-stopper.
The Sarang team of the IAF, flying the modified Dhruv choppers, astonished the viewers with their daredevil midair stunts pulled with razor precision.
The Surya Kiran team, flying 16 HJT Mk.2 trainer aircraft, delighted the viewers with their myriad formations such as diamond, wine glass and Tejas.
Kovind, Modi, Rahul hail air warriors on 86th Air Force Day
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday extended their greetings on the occasion of the 86th Air Force Day.
"We proudly honour our air warriors, veterans, and families of the Indian Air Force. They safeguard our skies with courage and commitment. The resilience, tenacity and zeal of our valiant air warriors is a source of pride for every Indian," the President tweeted.
Modi said: "A grateful nation salutes our valorous air warriors and their families on Air Force Day. They keep our skies safe and are at the forefront of serving humanity in times of disasters. Proud of the Indian Air Force!" He also attached a video of IAF jets along with the tweet.
The Congress chief hailed the valour of the Air Force personnel saying their commitment is an inspiration for all Indians.
The Indian Air Force which was officially established on this day in 1932,
would display an air show at Air Force Station Hindon in Uttar Pradesh to mark the day.
