Indian Air Force

The Asia's largest aero show will showcase the country's progress in design leadership, growth in UAVs Sector, Defence Space and futuristic technologies. Further, it will also promote the export of indigenous air platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas, HTT-40, Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

The LCA Mark 1A is the most advanced variant of the aircraft and is equipped with a range of advanced features such as AESA radar, a digital map generator, and advanced radio altimeter, among others. The variant will be equipped with an electronic warfare suite, including radar warning and self-protection jamming, as well as combined interrogator and transponder technology.

Indian tunes based on Indian Classical Ragas will be the flavour of 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony this year which will be graced by President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu. As many as 29 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes will be played by the music bands of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the State Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).

While two pilots of Sukhoi Su-30 managed to eject, the pilot flying Mirage 2000 lost his life after sustaining serious injuries. The deceased pilot has been identified as Wing Commander Hanumanth Rao Sarathi (flying the Mirage 2000). Two other pilots (flying Sukhoi Su-30) were later flown by an IAF helicopter for medical treatment in Gwalior.

The IAF said the Eastern Air Command will be conducting its annual Command-level exercise during the first week of February. This exercise, named POORVI AKASH, will be conducted after a gap of two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The exercise will involve activation of the Command's fighter, helicopter and transport assets towards routine practice of aerial drills, including joint exercises, an Air Force official said.

A traditional water cannon salute was given to the IAF's frontline Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, four of which are participating, along with two C-17s and one IL-78, in Exercise 'Veer Guardian-2023' to be held till January 26. The Indian contingent also includes Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi who is the first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in an air exercise abroad.

During the second Foreign and Defence Ministerial meeting held in Tokyo on September 8, India and Japan agreed to step up bilateral defence cooperation and engage in more military exercises, including holding the first joint fighter jet drills, reflecting the growing security cooperation between the two sides.

The air-launched missile was test-fired against a ship target from a SU-30MKI aircraft and it achieved the desired mission objectives in the Bay of Bengal region. The IAF, with this test, has achieved a "significant capability boost" to carry out precision strikes from SU-30MKI aircraft against land or sea targets over very long ranges.

"The pack is complete. The last of the 36 IAF Rafales landed in India after a quick enroute sip from a UAE Air Force tanker," the IAF said in an official statement. A squadron of Rafale will monitor the western border and northern border with Pakistan, while another squadron will monitor the eastern border area of India

The French Air and Space Force participated in the exercise with Rafale fighter aircraft and A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, while the IAF contingent comprised Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA 'Tejas' and Jaguar fighter aircraft. This fighter element was complemented by the IAF's Flight Refuelling Aircraft, AWACS and AEW&C, as well as Mi-17 helicopters and the newly inducted LCH 'Prachanda'.