Tag: IAF

IAF succesfully tests Akash missiles against four aerial targets simultaneously

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on Monday, December 18, that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully conducted a test wherein four medium-range surface-to-air missiles successfully hit four aerial targets at a range of 25 kilometres. IAF conducted the test using the Akash Weapon System.

The Akash Weapon System, designed and developed by DRDO, is produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and other associated industries. DRDO said the test showcases the system’s capability for command-guided engagement of multiple targets using a single firing unit.

India became first country to demonstrate the capability of engagement of 04 aerial targets simultaneously at 25Km ranges by command guidance using single firing unit. The test was conducted by @IAF_MCC using Akash Weapon System @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/ut2FDzVd64

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) December 17, 2023

Akash Weapon System is designed & developed by DRDO and produced by BEL/BDL along with other industries. Current firing was done from the system inducted in Indian Air Force in 2019.

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) December 17, 2023

DRDO said the successful test marks a significant milestone for India, solidifying its position as the first country to exhibit such advanced capabilities in engaging multiple aerial targets simultaneously at a 25 km range. The Akash Weapon System was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2019.

Also read: All you need to know about new generation ballistic missile ‘Agni Prime’, successfully flight-tested by DRDO

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IAF aircraft crashes in Telangana, 2 pilots dead

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Two Indian Air Force pilots died on Monday, December 4, when their Pilatus trainer aircraft crashed at 8:55 am during training at Air Force Academy, Dindigul in Telangana. The pilots include an instructor and one cadet, said Indian Air Force officials.

STORY | Trainer aircraft crashes in Telangana's Medak

READ: https://t.co/e0mejb4OI3

VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/NqaLoqn0K5

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 4, 2023

The IAF said a Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft met with an accident on Monday morning during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad.

There has been no damage to any civil life or property.

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, the IAF said.

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Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: IAF airlifts another 36 tonne of critical equipment

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Employing a C-17 and two C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, the IAF airlifted 36 tonne of critical equipment on Monday, continuing to lend assistance to efforts being made to rescue workers trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, officials said.

Rescuers on Monday pushed through a six-inch-wide pipeline through the rubble of the collapsed tunnel, a breakthrough that will help them supply larger quantities of food and possibly allow live visuals of the 41 workers trapped inside for eight days.

So far, a four-inch existing tube was being used to supply oxygen and items like dry fruit and medicines into the section of the tunnel beyond the rubble of the collapsed portion of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand. The IAF has been ferrying heavy machineries to aid rescue operations at the tunnel site.

“#IAF assistance for the rescue operations at Uttarkashi continues unabated. Employing a C-17 and two C-130 J aircraft, the IAF airlifted another 36 tonnes of critical equipment today. IAF #HADROps will continue until all the equipment is delivered,” the Indian Air Force posted on X.

It also shared images of some critical equipment being loaded in an IAF aircraft. IAF officials on Friday had said that a C-17 transport aircraft had been deployed to airlift almost 22 tonne of critical equipment from Indore to Dehradun.

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IAF gets first twin-seater light combat aircraft, expects fleet of 220 LACs in coming years

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over the first LCA Tejas twin seater aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday. Speaking that the event, IAF Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said the IAF has signed a contract for 83 additional Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and is “moving forward to procuring 97 more LCAs”.

He said, “In the coming years, we will have a fleet of 220 LCAs in the inventory of the Indian Air Force. It is a matter of pride for the country.” Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari was speaking in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Wednesday, as he recieved LCA Tejas twin-seater trainer aircraft from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) CMD CB Ananthakrishnan.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari says, “We have now signed a contract for 83 additional LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) and we are moving forward to procuring 97 more LCAs. In the coming years, we will have a fleet of 220 LCAs… https://t.co/KKhlrZ18LO pic.twitter.com/TWPH6tDlnf

— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023

The Bengaluru-headquartered company said the twin seater variant has all the capabilities to support the training requirements of the IAF and augments itself to the role of fighter as well in case of necessity.

Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt was the chief guest during the event wherein the unveiling of the LCA twin seater, handing over of Release to Service (RSD), Signalling out Certificate (SOC) were conducted in the presence of Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, among others.

About LCA Tejas twin seater

The LCA Tejas twin seater is a light weight, all weather multi-role 4.5 generation aircraft. It is an amalgamation of contemporary concepts and technologies, such as relaxed static-stability, quadraplex fly-by-wire flight control, carefree maneuvering, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems and advanced composite materials for the airframe, HAL said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to hand over Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) pic.twitter.com/cKT2F0hpZY

— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023

This adds India to the list of “very few” elite countries who have created such capabilities and have them operational in their Defence Forces, it said, adding, it’s another feather on the cap of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India.

“This historic event today will mark the achievement of a key milestone of producing an LCA twin seater which is designed with a strategic intent of graduating the budding pilots from the twin seater variants to fighter pilots”, HAL said. HAL has an order of 18 twin seaters from IAF and is planning to deliver eight of them during 2023-24. The remaining 10 would be delivered progressively by 2026-27.

Further, more orders are also expected from IAF, the company said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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IAF monitoring situation along LAC, will counter adversary with technology, tactics: Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday, October 3, said the Indian Air Force (IAF) is constantly monitoring the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially in eastern Ladakh.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day, he said, “We make note of the buildup of resources and capabilities across the borders. Our operational plans are dynamic and keep changing based on the situation that we perceive is developing across any front. In places where cannot really counter the numbers or the might of the adversary, we will counter it through better tactics and better training. We keep revising our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) plans as per inputs.”

The IAF chief said the uncertain geopolitical situation has reinforced the need to have a strong military, asserting that the IAF will remain a fulcrum to project India’s military might in the region.

Here are the highlights from the press conference:

# Transfer of technology is taking place between the two countries (China and Pakistan.) Pakistan is manufacturing JF-17 fighter aircraft and also inducting J-10 aircraft. Wherever we can counter technology with technology, we will do it. Where we cannot, we will do it with better training and tactics: Air Chief

# The IAF is looking at inducting military platforms, equipment and hardware worth Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh crore in the next seven to eight years: Air Chief

# The IAF was pushing ahead with its plan to procure an additional 97 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mark 1A: Air Chief

# The IAF received three units of the S-400 missile systems from Russia and it is hoping to receive the remaining two by next year, said the Air Chief. “There is a hindrance in delivery due to Russia-Ukraine war and we are sure that in the next one year, we will be getting the remaining systems. We are also using the Indigenous Project Kusha for indigenous long-range air defence systems,” he added.

# The IAF has left no stone unturned to ensure the successful implementation of the Agnipath scheme: Air Chief

# On the theaterisation plan, he said it is a work in progress.

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IAF helicopter makes precautionary landing in Bhopal, all six persons on board safe: Police | Watch video

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with six persons on board made an emergency landing at a village in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday due to a technical snag, a police officer said.

The pilot and the five crew members are safe, Berasia police station inspector Narendra Kulaste, said. The incident occurred around 8.45am, he added.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: An Indian Air Force ALH Dhruv helicopter made a precautionary landing near Bhopal. As per the initial reports, the crew is safe and a team is on the way to look into the technical issues: IAF sources pic.twitter.com/cQRxCrJjzK

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2023

The aircraft, of IAF’s III HU unit, made the emergency landing in a sugarcane field near a lake in Dungariya village, nearly 60 km from the Bhopal district headquarters, he said.

The helicopter, on way to Jhansi from Bhopal, developed a technical fault, the officer added.

A team of the IAF has reached the spot to fix the technical problem. Another team of technicians is expected to reach Dungariya village from Nagpur shortly, he added.

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IAF to conduct 11-day mega exercise from Sep 4

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian Air Force will conduct an 11-day mega exercise beginning September 4 along the borders with China and Pakistan and it will involve all the key frontline combat jets, attack choppers, mid-air refuellers and other critical air assets, sources in the defence and military establishment said on Thursday.

The exercise ‘Trishul’ is taking place amid the over three-year confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops as well as New Delhi’s continuing frosty ties with Pakistan.

The aim of the exercise, being organised by the IAF’s Western Command from September 4-14, is to test the combat capabilities of the force and assess various operational dimensions, they said. It will be one of the largest air exercises to be carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in recent times, said one of the sources, adding that all key platforms of the Western Air Command as well as assets from other commands will be deployed for the drills.

The fighter jets to be part of the drills include Rafales, Su-30 MKIs, Jaguars, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s and MiG-21 Bisons, the sources said about the annual wargame. They said attack helicopters, mid-air refuellers, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft and the transport fleet will also be deployed for the drills.

The exercise will largely cover frontline bases in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the sources said. The result of the exercise will be thoroughly examined in the Air Headquarters at the end of the drills, they added.

Following the eastern Ladakh border row, the IAF has significantly enhanced its combat capabilities as part of a series of measures, including through procurement of new equipment and weapon systems.

ALSO READ: US Congress approves pact to jointly make F-414 fighter jet engines for Indian Air Force

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IAF to order around 100 more LCA Mark-1A fighter jets for over $8 billion: Report

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to place orders for around 100 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, news agency ANI reported on Thursday. The IAF plans to buy these Made-in-India aircraft to replace the MiG-21 fighter jets in its fleet, the report said.

According to ANI, the IAF has already submitted its plan to the Minustry of Defence and all other stakeholders in the national security establishment.

“The Indian Air Force has decided that it would buy around 100 more of these highly capable LCA Mark-1A fighter jets from the HAL. The proposal in this regard has been submitted to the Defence Ministry. The project is expected to receive clearance soon to give the biggest ever boost to the private defence aerospace sector,” defence officials told ANI.

The decision to buy around 100 more of these planes came as Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari held a review meeting of the indigenous fighter jet programme with all entities involved including the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

What does more LCA Mark-1A fighter jets mean?

The order would mean that the LCA Tejas fighters would renter the Indian Air Force in very large numbers. The IAF will have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark-1A and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 planes in the next 15 years, ANI reported. The last order for LCA Mark1A was for 83 aircraft and the first plane would be delivered around February 2024.

What are LCA Mark 1A fighter jet?

LCA Mark 1A is the advanced version of Tejas aircraft. The LCA Mark 1A plane has more advanced avionics and radars than the initial 40 LCAs being supplied to the Air Force. The indigenous content in the new LCA Mark 1As is going to be more than 65 percent.

As per the report, the Indian Air Force chief stated in the project review meeting that the LCA has been the flag-bearer of the force’s efforts towards the indigenisation of its aircraft fleet.

During the review, it was brought out that all contracted fighter variants of the LCA MK 1 had been delivered to the IAF.

Representatives of HAL had assured the chief of the timely delivery of the contracted twin-seaters in the coming months, as well. Further to the LCA Mk 1, 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft have also been contracted by the IAF in 2021.

The Chairman and Managing Director of HAL had assured those present that the deliveries of this advanced variant of the LCA would commence by February 2024.

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Agniveer women can now join Air Force, says Defence Ministry

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Ministry of Defence (MoD), on Monday, notified rules to allow entry of females in the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Agniveer scheme in both combat and non-combat roles. On completion of roles assigned, the females shall be eligible for induction as Airmen and for non-combat roles.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 12 of the Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950), the Central Government hereby notifies, that females shall be eligible for enrolment in the Indian Air Force as Agniveervayu (Combatant) and Agniveervayu (Non-Combatant), and on successful completion of the roles assigned, they shall be eligible for selection as Airmen and Non-Combatants (Enrolled) respectively in such streams or trades as per the requirement, qualification and other terms and conditions of service,” the press release by Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Defence Ministry read.

Like Agniveers in sister services, the Agniveervayu will be enrolled in the IAF for a period of four years. Agniveervayu would form a distinct rank in the IAF, different from any other existing ranks with only 25 percent retention after their tenure completion.

However, there are certain commonalities between Agniveervayus and other permanent-rank officials as well. Just like any other Airforce employees, the Agniveervayus will also be governed under the Air Force Act, 1950, for four years.

Under the Agnipath recruitment policy, soldiers are recruited between the ages of 17.5 years and 21 years. Once selected, the aspirants will go through training for six months before they’re deployed for three and a half years.

During this period, Agriveers will be provided with a monthly package of Rs 30,000 per month with upgradation up to Rs 40,000 per month in the fourth year.

The Central government rolled out the controversial Agnipath recruitment policy last year which resulted in violence in several states across India.

Also Read:GE-HAL deal on jet engines done, 600 India MSMEs to benefit

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Over 500 Indians evacuated from violence-hit Sudan

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Around 534 Indians have been evacuated from violence-hit Sudan in overnight operations, sources told CNBC-TV18. Two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft and one navy ship are stationed in Port Sudan, they added.

“The focus of the Indian government and rescue teams is on getting people out of Khartoum and taking them to Port Sudan. Indian nationals are being moved in buses from Khartoum to Port Sudan. More people could be taken out of Port Sudan this afternoon,” sources said.

ALSO READ | First batch of Indians leave violence-hit Sudan, Navy sends warships for evacuation | WATCH

Meanwhile, the Kerala government decided to bring repatriated Keralites from Sudan at the expense of the state from the various airports of the country, news agency ANI reported.

India, among several other countries, started rescuing its nationals as violence erupted in Sudan where the conflict between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered a rush to extract foreign diplomats and citizens.

The fighting in Sudan, that began on April 15,  has claimed more than 420 lives, including at least 291 civilians, and wounded at least 3,700, the Associated Press (AP) reported. People there are struggling for food, hospitals have been shelled and are near collapse, water has been cut off in places, and power and internet outages have left people in the dark and unable to stay informed and in touch.

Amid the drastic situation, India launched “Operation Kaveri” to rescue Indians from the crisis-hit country. The first of the Indian national left Sudan on Tuesday. The Ministry of External Affairs has since been updating about the  operation on its Twitter handle.

The first C-130 flight landed in Jeddah with 121 passengers in the wee hours of Wednesday, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said in a tweet. Soon, a second C-130 flight reached Jeddah, bringing the third batch of 135 passengers from Sudan.

First IAF C-130J aircraft under #OperationKaveri from Port Sudan carrying 148 Indians landed in Jeddah.

Glad to see the joy in the Indians. pic.twitter.com/PwvDFFiHFK

— V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) April 25, 2023

Moreover, 278 Indians were evacuated from Sudan onboard INS Sumedha at Jeddah Port. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan thanked “Saudi authorities for excellent support in Jeddah”.

Happy to receive 278 Indians from Sudan onboard INS Sumedha at Jeddah Port. Glad Saudi Director General, MFA, Jeddah Branch H.E.Mazin Hamad Al Himly joined me

Thank Saudi authorities for excellent support in Jeddah.
#OperationKaveri pic.twitter.com/r0RpWLTOmh

— V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) April 25, 2023

INS Teg also joined the evacuation process. It arrived at Port Sudan with additional officials and essential relief supplies for stranded Indians on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Muraleedharan also inspected the transit facility in Jeddah where Indians evacuated from Sudan were received and “put up briefly before traveling to India”. He said, “It is fully equipped incl with mattresses, provisions, fresh meals, toilets, medical facilities, Wifi. Has 24*7 control room.”

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