Rafales, SU-30 MKIs & LCA Tejas To Lead Indian Air Force Contingent As China Keeps A Close Eye On Indian Drills
Amid heightening tensions on the border where India is engaged in a standoff with China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing for its 88th anniversary where it will demonstrate its fighter jets along with its aerobatic teams in a parade on October 8.
As part of preparations for the day, IAF conducted a full dress rehearsal today, including a flypast by its aircraft, at its Hindon base in Ghaziabad, reported PTI. This year is special as the newly inducted Dassault Rafale fighter jet will make its debut in the parade as well.
#AFDay2020: Rafale – The Rafale is a 4.5 generation, twin-engine omnirole, air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship and nuclear deterrence fighter aircraft, equipped with a wide range of weapons.#KnowTheIAF#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/Zv6VXc17q9
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) October 3, 2020
The five new Rafale fighters were inducted into the Indian Air Force's 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' at Ambala Air Force Station on September 10, in a grand ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with his French counterpart Florence Parly.
Apart from Rafale fighter jets, Tejas LCA, Jaguar, Mig-29, Mig-21 and Sukhoi-30 MKI will also be seen at the parade.
#AFDay2020
A momentous journey of Eighty Eight Years. Indian Air Force is ever ready to INNOVATE , INTEGRATE & INTIMIDATE.
Promo video of IAF on the occasion of 88th Anniversary.
Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/8hFIzCqpdb
"As we enter our 89th year, I would like to compliment all air warriors for a job well done in what has turned out to be an extremely challenging year. The IAF is in the midst of a transformation and we are changing the way we fight, train and maintain. Our intense focus on integration both within the service and with our sister services needs to continue," said Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria in the video.
"Given the budget constraints, we have to be innovative in our drive to enhance combat potential. Despite the effect of COVID, we need to maintain the state of operational readiness at all times and be able to respond at short notice," he added. He ended by extending his greetings and assuring Indian Air Force's unflinching resolve to safeguard the sovereignty at any cost.
In a series of remarkable photographs, the IAF's twitter handle posted some photographs of its fighter jets.
#AFDay2020: SU-30MKI "Flanker" – The Su-30MKI is a twinjet multirole air superiority, all-weather, long-range fighter aircraft.#KnowTheIAF#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/DTngpQDU0z
#AFDay2020: Mi-35 – The Mi-35 is a twin-engine turboshaft, assault, anti-armour helicopter capable of carrying 8 men assault squad with four-barrel 12.7 mm rotary gun in nose barbette and upto 1500 kg of external ordnance including Scorpion anti-tank missiles.#KnowTheIAF pic.twitter.com/bJEtAorqaz
#AFDay2020: C-17 "Globemaster" – The C-17 is a high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, capable of carrying large equipment, supplies & troops both by day & night.
Extended reach and swift response.#KnowTheIAF#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/OHR5ep4sju
#AFDay2020: C-130J "Super Hercules" – The C-130J is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.
IAF has integrated this machine for Special Ops, HADR missions & air maintenance roles.#KnowTheIAF#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/u3sPdTaQlf
#AFDay2020: AH-64E Apache – The Apache is a twin-turbo shaft attack helicopter with a tandem cockpit for two crew & a tail wheel-type landing gear arrangement.#KnowTheIAF#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/S8Y68SckyF
#AFDay2020: LCA "Tejas" – The Tejas is an indigenously developed, single-engine, fourth-generation, high-agility, multirole, supersonic light combat aircraft.#KnowTheIAF#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/cMRsK4zJGj
#AFDay2020: The MiG-21 is a supersonic air combat interceptor known for its agility and swift response.#KnowTheIAF#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/dkTbVuM8zs
In a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria reiterated IAF is "well-positioned" to deal with any further tensions on the northern border.
"We are prepared for any conflict including for a two-front war. Be rest assured that we are deployed strongly to deal with any contingency. Our position as a credible combat-ready force is vital, given the role Air Force will play towards ensuring victory in any future conflict," he said during the press conference.
He added that in the next three years IAF will have Rafale and LCA Mark 1 squadrons operating with full strength, along with additional MiG-29 being ordered in addition to current fleets.
While border tensions with China that intensified after the Galwan valley clash in June, the Indian Defence Forces have made emergency procurements to stand battle-ready in case of any violent confrontations.
The IAF parade will surely grab eyeballs this year as it will showcase its spectacular flying beasts. The new Rafale fighters, which were received with celebrations around the country in July, are set to be the star of the show.
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