The IAF has released a video showcasing 120 fighters, transport aircraft, and helicopters operating from 10 airbases….reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to showcase its might on Air Force Day, which is celebrated on October 8 every year.
Ahead of the celebrations, the IAF, on Tuesday, released a video showcasing 120 fighters, transport aircraft, and helicopters operating from 10 airbases.
The video also showed the IAF’s newly acquired C-295 transport aircraft, which will be pressed into service for the Air Force Day parade for the first time.
Speaking to ANI, Group Captain Prajyot said, “120 fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters operated from 10 airbases will feature in the air display in the Sangam area of Prayagraj on October 8. The MiG-21s will be making their last appearance at the show while C-295 transport aircraft will be showcased for the first time.”
In addition to its new transport aircraft, the IAF will also be showcasing its vintage aircraft at the parade. Two vintage aircraft will operate in the Luv and Kush formations over the Sangam area in Prayagraj.
“Two vintage aircraft will operate in the Luv and Kush formation at the parade over the Sangam area on October 8. The IAF aircraft carried out multiple long-range missions, including the one featuring Rafales and other aircraft flying to distant areas,” the IAF official added.
The Air Force Day parade is an annual event that is held to commemorate the establishment of the IAF on October 8, 1932.
The parade is a showcase of the IAF’s capabilities and its commitment to defending the nation.
Sugreev, Luv-Kush, Bharat formations
In the first-ever aerial display over the holy Sangam area in Prayagraj, the Indian Air Force would be flying its aircraft in the Sugreev, Luv-Kush and Bharat formations along with others.
The Sugreev formation would include the single C-295 transport aircraft recently inducted by the Indian Air Force from Spain.
The Luv-Kush formation would include one each of the vintage aircraft Harward and Tigermoth which would take off from the runway in Prayagraj.
The Bharat formation of the Indian Air Force would include one each of the Rafale, LCA Tejas and the Su-30MKI fighter jets.
A total of 120 aircraft will be taking part in the air display on Air Force Day in Prayagraj, one of the holiest places in the Hindu religion.
Indigenous weapon systems
n a major push to the indigenisation of military assets, the Indian Air Force on Tuesday announced that it was looking at inducting military systems worth around Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh crore.
Indian Air Force chief VR Chaudhari on Tuesday announced a mega acquisition of 97 additional LCA Mark 1A aircraft along with the 83 already ordered by it as one of the biggest projects in this list, adding that the purchase would be worth around Rs 1.25 lakh crores.
He also listed the plan to upgrade the Su-30MKI combat aircraft at a cost of over Rs 64,000 crore as another project on this list.
Chaudhari said the IAF also wants the 166 Light Combat Helicopters worth around Rs 45,000 crore, which would be used by both the Air Force and the Army.
The IAF would get 66, and the Army would get 90 of these choppers, he announced.
Chaudhari said the Indian Air Force is looking to induct these weapon systems in the next seven to eight years, adding that it would give a big boost to its capabilities.
The list of indigenous weapon systems and military assets includes the 180 Light Combat Aircraft Mark 1A, 156 Light Combat Helicopters, Light Utility Choppers, and many other weapon systems that are supposed to feature prominently in the service in the coming years.
The LCA Mark1A, alone, is supposed to be worth over Rs 1.2 lakh crore and is tipped to have a huge impact on the creation of a fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
Officials said support for building a major defence industry is key to achieving a USD 5 trillion economy as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that as the ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) programme of the defence forces takes wings, the agenda of the acquisition-related meetings is fast becoming ‘Indian’ in the true sense.
Sharing details of the made-in-India projects in the pipeline, the officials said the Air Force is getting 180 LCA Mark 1A aircraft, for which the first contract for the acquisition of 83 aircraft has already been signed, while the project for the remaining 97 aircraft is set to get the clearance from the Defence Ministry soon.
In the fighter aircraft domain, the Indian Air Force is taking up a major programme to upgrade the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet under a Rs 65,000 crore project.
The project would be carried out indigenously by a joint team of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Indian Air Force, with indigenous radars, avionics, and advanced weapons that the fighters would be equipped with.
The project is being moved to the Defence Ministry and is expected to be discussed at a high level very soon.
The upgrade programme would be carried out first with around 90 aircraft and then implemented on the remaining 160 plus aircraft, gradually bringing them very close to fifth-generation capabilities.
After addressing the development of the Airborne Early and Control Aircraft requirements through a couple of indigenous plans, the Indian Air Force is also working on developing a spy plane that would be able to pick up entire enemy activity.
Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft can equip the IAF with a potent instrument for gaining battlefield transparency and situational awareness.
In terms of rotary wing capabilities, the Indian Air Force is going to get a big boost in terms of firepower, giving a similar push to the domestic industry. (ANI)