Indian Air Force

Out of the 24 jets, 13 are in proper condition with 8 of them ready to fly after servicing. The remaining 11 aircraft are partially complete but with fuel tanks and ejection seats, which will be scavenged to secure parts for IAF’s two existing squadrons of the fighter.

The Indian Air Force chief visited headquarters of the Central Air Command (CAC) at Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Thursday for its Annual Commanders' Conference. He was received by Air Marshal R.J. Duckworth, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) CAC. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented to the Air Force Chief on arrival at the Command Headquarters.

He also highlighted the increasing importance of the Eastern Air Command in the overall strategic perspective amid the emerging threats from China. He visited the Eastern Air Command from August 26-27 for the Commanders' Conference. The two-day conference reviewed the progress of operational goals set for the Command and highlighted discussions on ways and means to optimise full spectrum combat readiness.

Taking to Twitter, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, "Op Devi Shakti continues. 78 evacuees from Kabul arrive via Dushanbe. Salute @IAF_MCC, @AirIndiain and #Team MEA for their untiring efforts.#DeviShakti." His tweet came hours after 78 persons, including 25 Indian nationals, were brought to New Delhi from Tajikistan's Dushanbe in a special Air India flight on Tuesday.

Lockheed Martin is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the C-130Js, which is the tactical airlifter of choice for 26 operators in 22 nations. Lockheed Martin is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the C-130Js, which is the tactical airlifter of choice for 26 operators in 22 nations. "Through this Follow On Support II (FOS) contract, Lockheed Martin teams manage the program, logistics and engineering support elements necessary to sustain the IAF's C-130J fleet," the company said in a statement.

The officials also confirmed that 107 Indians have been brought back through this evacuation. Apprehending that the Taliban militia may prevent the Afghan public representatives from taking the IAF flight, the entire plan was kept secret till the flight took off from Afghanistan, sources said.

The sources said that the IAF's C-130J transport plane landed in Tajikistan for refuelling and is likely to arrive at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad on Saturday evening, they added. Fearing that the Taliban militia may prevent the Afghan public representatives from boarding the IAF flight, the entire plan was kept secret till the aircraft took off from Afghanistan, the sources further said.

He said this during Commanders' Conference on the Maintenance Command at Vayu Sena Nagar in Nagpur on August 11 and 12. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria on arrival was received by Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary. The two-day conference was attended by the commanders of base repair depots, equipment depots and other stations and units under maintenance command, who reviewed the ongoing projects.

In Israel, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria and his counterpart Major General Amikam Norkin, Commander Israel Air Force, will discuss the military ties and cooperation between two countries. Indian Air Force in a statement said, "As strategic partners, India and Israel enjoy strong, multi-dimensional ties, an important pillar of which is defence cooperation and military level exchanges".

Hasimara in West Bengal earlier had a MiG 27 Squadron that has now been decommissioned. It is a strategic base for Indian Air Force operations because of its proximity to Bhutan. The Chumbi Valley, where lies a tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China, is close to Doklam where a standoff took place in 2017. The tri-junction has been matter of concern for all the three nations.