Page 3 - Indian Air Force

Revisit denial to disclose report on armed forces' pay: CIC to PMO

The Central Information Commission has directed the Prime Minister's Office to "revisit" its refusal to disclose under the RTI a 14-year old report by a Group of Ministers led by former External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on pay and pension of armed forces personnel on grounds that it was "highly sensitive". The directive came after the RTI applicant told the panel that substantial portions of the report that were termed "highly sensitive" and "prejudicially affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India" by the PMO, have already been declassified and disclosed by the Defence Ministry. Through his RTI application dated January 31, 2021, S Y Savur had sought the copy of the report submitted by Mukherjee on December 19, 2008 for then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's approval and copy of the approval along with file notes, office memorandum along with all relevant information that "preceded" the approval. The PMO had refused to disclose the report and other documents, calling t

Andhra cadre IAS Giridhar Aramane takes charge as new defence secretary

Seasoned bureaucrat Giridhar Aramane on Tuesday assumed charge as the new defence secretary at a time the government has been focusing on modernising the three services. Aramane, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was serving as secretary of the ministry of road transport and highways prior to his new assignment. Before taking charge, Aramane laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen heroes. "We draw inspiration from these bravehearts and promise to work towards fulfilling their dream of making India a safe and prosperous country," he said. Aramane succeeded Ajay Kumar, who retired from service on Monday. In his 32-year career as an IAS officer, Aramane has held various important positions in the central government as well as the Andhra Pradesh government. He also served as an additional secretary in the cabinet secretariat. Aramane looked after the exploration division in the ministry of petroleum and natural gas and was exec

Time for Made-in-India passenger aircraft, says PM Narendra Modi

The PM stressed that India would need more than 2,000 aircraft in the next 15 years

Army's first inter-service paragliding championship begins in Bir Billing

The first Inter services paragliding X-country championship begin with a colourful opening ceremony at the mountainous belt of Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh. Commenced on Saturday, the Championship, a first of its kind, is being conducted from October 29 to November 01, under the aegis of army adventure wing (AAW), defence spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said on Sunday. The day's activities saw around 15 paragliding pilots from the Indian Army and Navy taking off from Billing and landing at Bir located approximately 13 to 14 kilometers, in a display of their ability of navigating X-country in air. "Paragliding is primarily a recreational and competitive adventure sport. The ability of the paragliding flight to last many hours and cover large distance is, what is of great importance to the Armed Forces, as it will facilitate aerial insertions behind enemy lines," Anand said. The opening ceremony was presided over by Brigadier AK Singh, who welcomed the paragliding pilots from the

Tata, Airbus grab Rs 22,000-cr project to make C-295 aircraft in Gujarat

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday announced it had, for the first time, entrusted a private firm - Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) - to manufacture an entire aircraft for the military

Govt mulls helipads along new highways for evacuations during emergencies

The government is looking at having helipads along new highways as that will help in immediate evacuations during emergencies. The ministries of civil aviation and road transport have discussed the proposal, according to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. To enhance connectivity, especially in remote and hilly areas, the civil aviation ministry has been pushing for increasing the use of helicopters. "All the new highways should have helipads... along them so that infrastructure is in place," Scindia said. Helipads on the national highways will help in immediate evacuations during emergencies, he noted. Both Scindia and the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen (Retd) V K Singh pitched for having helipads in every district. They were speaking at the Civil Aviation Ministers' Conference in the national capital. The government has also decided to incubate a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) pilot called 'Project Sanjeevani' by deploying a helicopter in the

Tata A&D looks to make mark in DefExpo, eyes mega tender for combat planes

TASL's executives explain that the company's expertise lies in setting up production facilities in quick time, with mature processes for transferring work packages from global customers

President Murmu, Rajnath Singh witness IAF prowess on Air Force Day

The Indian Air Force on Saturday put up a dazzling show here with over 70 military aircraft and helicopters, drawn from its modern and vintage fleet, displaying skillful manoeuvres on the occasion of its 90th anniversary celebrations. It is the IAF's first annual Air Force Day parade and fly-past outside the Delhi-National Capital Region. Prior to the spectacular air display, a ceremonial parade was held at the air force station here in the morning which, was inspected by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari. In his address, Chaudhari said the central government has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for IAF officers, which would save around Rs 3,400 crore in flying training. President Murmu was the chief guest for the air show. Rajnath Singh, Punjab and Haryana Governors Banwarilal Purohit and Bandaru Dattatreya, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher were also present at the event. The IAF chief, and senior serving and

Weapon systems branch approved for IAF for first time: Air Chief Marshal

The Centre on Saturday approved the creation of a weapon systems branch for the Indian Air Force (IAF) officers for the first time since Independence

IAF to unveil new combat uniform for personnel on Air Force Day

The Chief of Air Staff will unveil the new pattern of combat uniform for Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day here on Saturday, officials said here. Air Force Day marks the official induction of the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a supporting force of the UK's Royal Air Force in 1932. Every year, the day is celebrated in the presence of the Indian Air Force chief and senior officers. "There will be a parade in the morning at the Air Force station here. On the occasion, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari will unveil the new combat uniform for air force personnel," an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer told reporters here. "We already have a combat uniform, but the pattern will be changed into something called digital camouflage," he added. The officer said nearly 80 helicopters and transport aircraft will take part in the flypast and demonstrations over Sukhna Lake here on Saturday afternoon. However, the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters and transport aircraft Avro

Spinning success

Development of Prachanda helicopters by HAL is encouraging

At least 42 fighter squadrons essential, says IAF chief VR Chaudhary

He said the global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) had given their commitments for ensuring indigenous content and Made-in-India solutions

Appropriate measures put in place to deal with Chinese activities: IAF

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the Indian Air Force has taken appropriate "non-escalatory" measures to deal with Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, he also said that recent developments at the global stage show the need for a strong military to ward off any challenge. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said the IAF has been preparing for all kinds of security challenges including "worst-case scenario" and asserted that it is fully ready to face any situation. "We continue to be operationally deployed and ever vigilant," he said, adding the IAF continues to monitor all Chinese activities along the LAC. When asked about recent incidents of Chinese fighter jets flying close to the LAC, he said appropriate non-escalatory measures have been taken and a message was sent to the neighbouring country. Our overall preparation is a continuous process irrespective of Chine

IAF aircraft scramble after bomb threat in Iranian passenger flight

The Indian Air Force on Monday said it scrambled its fighter jets following a bomb scare on a China-bound Iranian civilian plane that was flying over the Indian airspace. An intimation was received of the bomb scare on an airline bearing Iranian registration, when it was transiting through Indian airspace, the IAF said, adding the plane was offered the option to land at Jaipur or Chandigarh but the pilots refused to divert. "IAF fighter aircraft were scrambled, which followed the aircraft at a safe distance. The aircraft was offered the option to land at Jaipur and then, at Chandigarh. However, the pilot declared his unwillingness to divert to either of the two airports. "After a while, intimation was received from Tehran to disregard the bomb scare, following which, the aircraft continued on its journey towards its final destination," it said. According to ATC sources, the incident happened on the Mahan Air flight W581 that was flying from Tehran to Guangzhou. Meanwhile, a senio

Home-grown 'Prachanda' light combat helicopter joins Indian Air Force fleet

The military has already projected to HAL an eventual requirement of 65 Prachandas for the IAF and 97 for the army

Made-in-India light combat helicopters 'Prachand' inducted into IAF

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a sortie in the newly inducted indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter 'Prachand', in Jodhpur

Bomb threat onboard Iranian plane over Indian airspace; IAF jets scrambled

According to sources, inputs were received by security agencies in Delhi about the possibility of a bomb on board, which triggered an alert and permission was not granted to the plane to land in Delhi

IAF to induct Made-in-India light combat helicopter at Jodhpur today

In a major boost to the Indian Air Force's combat prowess, the first batch of indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) will be inducted into the IAF

IAF to formally induct indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter on Monday

The LCH, developed by state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, has been primarily designed for deployment in high-altitude regions

New CDS asks 3 defence forces to work on creation of theatre commands

In his maiden communication with the three defence forces, new CDS Gen Anil Chauhan has asked the Army, Navy and Air Force to make a move ahead towards the creation of integrated theatre commands