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The present security scenario along our northern frontiers is at an uneasy "no war no peace" status, Chief of Air Staff <keyword id="50922" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Chief-Marshal">Air Chief Marshal</keyword> <keyword id="7858995" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="rks-bhadauria">RKS Bhadauria</keyword> said on Tuesday, referring to the prolonged border row with China in eastern Ladakh. In an address at a conference, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said the <keyword id="15141" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> has responded to the situation with rapidity and is fully resolved to counter any "misadventure" in the region. "The present security scenario along our northern frontiers is at an uneasy no war no peace status. Our defence forces are prepared for any eventuality as you are aware," the Chief of Air Staff said. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said the recent induction of Rafale jets along with previous acquisitions of C-17 Globemaster aircraft as well as Chinook and Apache helicopters have provided the IAF with substantial tactical and strategic capability enhancement. "Air power will be a crucial enabler in our victory in any future conflict. It is, therefore, imperative that IAF obtains and maintains technological edge over our adversaries," he said at the conference on energising the Indian aerospace industry. Five French-made multi-role Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the IAF on September 10. The fleet has been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh in the last couple of weeks. The <keyword id="43924" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAF-chief">IAF chief</keyword> also said that the raising of two squadrons of light combat aircraft Tejas and integration of some indigenous weapons on Su-30 MKI combat jets in a very reduced time frame have been the "most promising" development, reflecting the country's capabilities to develop indigenous military hardware. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/google-doodle-celebrates-zohra-sehgal-everyones-favourite-dadi-an-indian-royal-and-doctor-who-star/articleshow/78377815.cms">Google Doodle celebrates Zohra Sehgal — Everyone's favourite dadi, an Indian royal and Doctor Who star</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/super30-alumni-founded-startup-wants-to-take-forward-the-legacy-of-his-alma-mater/articleshow/78377011.cms">Super30 alumni founded startup wants to take forward the legacy of his alma mater</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-infosys-central-bank-of-india-dhfl-anuh-pharma-shalby-balaji-telefilms-and-others/articleshow/78376167.cms">Top stocks to watch— Infosys, Central Bank of India, DHFL, Anuh Pharma, Shalby, Balaji Telefilms and others</a>

India-China border at 'no war no peace' status, says IAF chief

In a major boost to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=indian+air+force&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Indian Air Force</a>, indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA),‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=tejas&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Tejas’</a>, was inducted today at an event in Bengaluru. 
 
State-run <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=HAL&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Hindustan Aeronautics Limited</a> (HAL) handed over the first two ‘Made in India’ Tejas aircraft to the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF), which will make up the 'Flying Daggers' 45, the name of the first squadron of the LCA. 
 
The induction ceremony started early morning at the Aircraft System Testing Establishment in the presence of Air Marshal Jasbir Walia, Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Southern Air Command. 
 
The squadron will be based in Bengaluru for the first two years before being moved to Sulur in Tamil Nadu. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=arup+raha&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha</a>, who on May 17 took his in Tejas, had termed the aircraft as fit to be inducted. 
 
Stating that LCA squadron should be formed by July, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=manohar+parrikar&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar</a> had earlier this month said, "Next year I think two MiG-21 squadrons are being decommissioned; this will go into initially replacing them." 
 
LCAs are better than the MiGs which are old and their parts are difficult to get, he had said. 
 
All squadrons of Tejas will have 20 planes in total, including four in reserve. 
 
As per the plan, while 20 would be inducted under the "Initial Operational Clearance", another 20 will be inducted later with Beyond Visual Range Missile (BVR) and some other features. 
 
IAF plans to induct over 80 aircraft with better specifications known as Tejas 1A.

'Made in India' light combat aircraft ‘Tejas’ inducted in Air Force

Bengaluru, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria flew the home-grown <keyword id="158152" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Light-Combat-Helicopter">Light Combat Helicopter</keyword> (LCH) over this aerospace city for an hour, an official said on Friday. "Bhadauria flew the twin-seater LCH for a hour, taking off around noon from our airport in the city's eastern suburb, with our deputy chief test pilot Wing Commander (Retd) S.P. John," a Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (<keyword id="68124" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="HAL">HAL</keyword>) official told IANS here. The Air Chief, who is in the city to unveil the 59th annual conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine, undertook the sortie in the HAL-made LCH for the first time, as a co-pilot, dressed in a fighter pilot suit. Designed and developed by the city-based state-run defence behemoth (HAL), LCH is the world's multi-role lightest attack helicopter, with a highest flight ceiling. "The LCH has been certified by the relevant agency for induction into the IAF and the <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword> soon," said the official. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the proposal for initial batch of 15 LCHs. The IAF issued Request for Proposal (RFP) for 15 limited series production of the helicopter, including 5 for the Army. Bhadauria, who took over as the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF) in September 2019, also flew the HAL-made Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas on May 27, 2020 when it was inducted into the IAF's 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets) at the Sulur air base near Coimbatore in the neigbhouring Tamil Nadu state. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/mumbais-massive-power-cut-last-month-may-have-been-the-work-of-hackers/articleshow/79318282.cms">Mumbai’s massive power cut last month may have been the work of hackers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/vodafone-idea-shares-jump-after-selling-stake-in-indus-towers-for-3760-crore/articleshow/79316662.cms">Vodafone Idea soars nearly 5% on fund infusion from Indus Towers stake sale</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/pubg-mobile-india-was-supposed-to-launch-today/articleshow/79315462.cms">PUBG Mobile India was rumoured to launch today — but there is no official update from the company</a>

Indian Air Force chief flies HAL's home-grown Light Combat Helicopter ahead of its induction into the armed forces

More than 500 Air Warriors were inducted in the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> as part of the major changes that <keyword id="6355075" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="IAF">IAF</keyword> is going through in its operational philosophy. 

	At a Combined Passing-out Parade at Air Force Station, Tambaram on October 23, 2015, 548 Air Warriors were inducted into IAF, a Defence release today said. 
 

	"The Air Warriors went through a rigorous and intensive training curriculum at the two premier institutes of the base, namely, the Mechanical Training Institute and the Workshop Training Institute, before passing out," it said. 
 <keyword id="3114416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-Vice-Marshal-AK-Gupta">Air Vice Marshal AK Gupta</keyword>, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Eng B), who reviewed the parade, said that with the induction of the state-of-the-art aircraft, equipment and weapon system, IAF was witnessing major changes in operational philosophy, it said. 

	IAF today was on the path of transforming itself into a strategic force of great calibre, he was quoted as saying. 
 

	He urged the Air Warriors to make sustained efforts towards continuous enhancement of their technical knowledge and skills by keeping themselves abreast with the latest changes besides asking them to maintain exemplary conduct at all times, it added. 

	 
	 
	(Image credits: Indiatimes)

548 Air warriors inducted into IAF

As it prepares to induct a <keyword id="10112494" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-batch-of-rafale-jets">second batch of Rafale jets</keyword>, the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> has sent a team of officials to France to oversee the logistical issues and review the training of a hand-picked group of pilots at the Saint-Dizier air base there, officials said on Thursday. The second batch of four <keyword id="6381048" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="rafale">Rafale</keyword> jets is expected to arrive in India in the next four weeks. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of these aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. Several teams from the IAF have visited France since January to oversee the progress of the Rafale project including integration of India-specific enhancements and weapons systems, the officials said. The IAF's Rafale project management team has an office in Paris headed by a Group Captain-rank officer. The team is tasked with overseeing the production timelines as well as coordinating training of the crew. A team of experts headed by assistant chief of air staff (projects) reached France earlier this week to coordinate logistical issues as well as training of pilots and technicians, said the officials. The first batch of Rafale jets was finally inducted into the IAF on September 10. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on October 5 said the induction of all 36 Rafale jets will be completed by 2023. Ten Rafale jets have been delivered to India so far and five of them stayed back in France for imparting training to IAF pilots. Known for their air-superiority and precision strikes, the Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia. The newly inducted fleet has been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh where Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a bitter border row for over five months. A group of IAF pilots is currently undergoing training on Rafale jets at the Saint-Dizier airbase in eastern France. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/pnb-yes-bank-central-bank-of-india-idbi-and-six-more-indian-banks-are-the-worst-performing-bank-stocks-in-asia-pacific/articleshow/78679569.cms">10 out of 15 worst-performing bank stocks in Asia-Pacific are Indian — PNB, YES Bank, Central Bank of India, IDBI among them</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/whatsapp-google-amazon-and-facebook-under-the-scanner-for-data-protection-violations-as-supreme-court-calls-on-rbi-and-npci-to-investigate/articleshow/78678174.cms">Whatsapp, Google, Amazon and Facebook under the scanner for data protection violations as Supreme Court calls on RBI and NPCI to investigate</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/chinese-president-xi-jinping-tells-marine-troops-to-be-on-high-alert-and-prepare-for-war/articleshow/78675715.cms">Chinese President Xi Jinping tells marine troops to be on ‘high alert’ and ‘prepare for war’ as tensions in the South China Sea continue to grow</a>

Indian Air Force to induct more Rafale fighter jets — team heads to France for preparations

<ul><li>Indian Air Force: A Cut Above was launched in July this year to inspire youth to join the IAF. </li><li>The game competes against nine other titles which have millions of downloads. </li><li>Voting for the ‘Best Game 2019’ awards is live now. </li></ul>Google has picked Indian Air Force’s video game to compete in the ‘Best Game 2019’ awards under the ‘Users’ Choice Game’ category. The IAF had launched a video game earlier this year in an attempt to attract and encourage the youth to join the airforce. The game ‘Indian Air Force: A Cut Above’ was launched on July 31 this year by the then Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. The Indian Air Force <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1196613234771390464">took to Twitter</a> to urge its fans to vote for the IAF video game. The voting is currently underway, and it will go on for the next six days. <div type="twitter" handle="IAF_MCC" handlename="Indian Air Force" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/798477907316207617/dMQAtlFj_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1174" retweetcount="224" status="IAF's Video game- 'Indian Air Force: A Cut Above' has been selected by #Google to compete for 'Best Game-2019' in '… https://t.co/0LKca7MpEq" createdat="1574129801000" id="1196613234771390464"></div>

 Tough competition ahead In the Users Choice Game <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/uservoting/Games%20-%20Best%20Of%202019%20User%20Voting%20Page?id=mc_bestof2019_uv_games_page">category</a>, the IAF video game is competing against nine other titles, including Call of Duty: Mobile, Angry Birds Dream Blast, RAID, Stick Cricket and more. Some of these games have racked up millions of downloads, so the IAF video game certainly has its task cut out. It is worth noting here that this is not the first video game made by the IAF. In 2014, the IAF had launched a game called ‘Guardian of the Skies’. The new IAF game is the sequel of sorts of the 2014 game, featuring improved graphics and technology. What is the IAF video game about? In the IAF video game, you play the character of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who had downed a PAF F16 in the aftermath of the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-s-carries-out-laser-guided-strike-at-jaish-terror-camp-in-pakistan-sources/story-YDssaREtqFG0ZsAaSvIDgJ.html">Balakot airstrike</a>. In the ensuing dogfight, he crossed into Pakistani territory where his MiG-21 Bison was hit by a missile. He was captured by Pakistan and later released. A biopic is also being made on his incredible journey, and gamers can now impersonate him in the game, which can inspire the youth to join the forces.

Indian Air Force’s video game goes up against Call of Duty and Angry Birds in Google’s competition

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will fly a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet on October 8 from a French airbase in Paris to gain first-hand experience of the aircraft, official sources said on Thursday. Singh is scheduled to travel to Paris on October 7 on a three-day visit, primarily to receive the first of 36 Rafale fighter jets. The ceremony to hand over the first Rafale jet will take place on October 8, the foundation day of the Indian Air Force, the sources said. After receiving the aircraft, the defence minister will take a sortie in the aircraft, they said. Top military brass of France as well as senior officials of Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale, will also be present at the handing over ceremony. In July 2017, the then IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, flew a Rafale jet at the Saint-Dizier airbase during his visit to France. On October 9, Singh is scheduled to hold extensive talks with top defence brass of the French government on ways to further deepen defence and security cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France in August during which both the sides resolved to further enhance the already close defence ties between the two countries. Sources said a high-level team of the Indian Air Force is already in Paris to coordinate with French officials on the handing over ceremony. India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore. The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons and missiles. The IAF has already completed preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots, to welcome the fighter aircraft. The sources said the first squadron of the aircraft will be deployed at Ambala air force station, considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF. The Indo-Pak border is around 220 km from there. The second squadron of Rafale will be stationed at Hasimara base in West Bengal. A number of IAF teams have already visited France to help Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, incorporate India-specific enhancements on-board the fighter aircraft. The Rafale jets will come with various India-specific modifications, including Israeli helmet-mounted displays, radar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems among others. The Congress raised several questions about the deal, including on rates of the aircraft, and alleged corruption but the government has rejected the charges. The IAF spent around Rs 400 crore to develop required infrastructure like shelters, hangers and maintenance facilities at the two bases. According to the deal, the delivery of the jets was to be completed in 67 months from the date the contract was signed.

Rajnath Singh to fly Rafale sortie on October 8 in Paris

<ul><li>The <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> inducted as many as eight most combat-ready <keyword id="1156017" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apache-helicopters">Apache helicopters</keyword> on Tuesday at the Pathankot Air Base in Punjab. </li><li>The <keyword id="218087" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apache">Apache</keyword> AH-64E is flown by US Army and happens to be among the most advanced multi-role helicopters. </li></ul>The Indian Air Force inducted as many as eight most combat-ready Apache helicopters on Tuesday at the Pathankot Air Base in Punjab. The Apache AH-64E is flown by US Army and happens to be among the most advanced multi-role helicopters. The helicopters received by India are designed by the US-based manufacturer Boeing to meet the IAF's requirements. 
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="ANI" handlename="ANI" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1497864299/ani_mic_logo_normal.jpg" favoritecount="600" retweetcount="88" status="#Punjab: IAF Chief BS Dhanoa arrives at the Pathankot Air Base where Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force are… https://t.co/IW3lXLq1Bm" createdat="1567485652000" id="1168745650617376768"></div>






 Boeing formally handed over the aircraft keys to Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa at a function in Pathankot. "The IAF has been flying helicopters since 1954. Since then there has been no looking back. We have proved our mettle in various missions. We have operated various types of helicopters in the past," said Dhanoa. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="EDhDa6sU0AAlSUM" msid="70956535" hostid="261"></div>







All India Radio The helicopter were brought in two separate batches and were delivered at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad over July and August. 
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="IAF_MCC" handlename="Indian Air Force" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/798477907316207617/dMQAtlFj_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3148" retweetcount="624" status="#NewInduction: Glimpses of AH-64E Apache attack helicopter's maiden flight at AFS Hindan. The helicopter is planned… https://t.co/XfESBDks5k" createdat="1567437240000" id="1168542596878209024"></div>







 "Apache helicopter is an advanced multi-mission helicopter being operated worldwide by the US, UK, Israel and many numbers of countries. The helicopter has proved itself as an operational success across the world. It is one of the most fierce attack helicopters in the world," he added. India had signed a multi-billion contract with Boeing in September 2015 for purchasing 22 Apache helicopters. IAF will get the entire fleet by the end of 2020. (With IANS)

Indian Air Force inducts eight combat-ready Apache helicopters at Pathankot air base

Defence minister Rajnath Singh landed at Merignac Airport in the southwestern French town of Bordeaux on Tuesday for the handover ceremony of the first Rafale combat jet acquired by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The minister, who earlier held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, said his visit was aimed at "expanding the strategic partnership" between India and France. In Bordeaux, Singh will begin with a tour of Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation's plant before a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first Rafale combat jet. Arrangements have also been made for a traditional Indian Shastra Puja, or weapons' worship which forms part of Dussehra celebrations and this year also marks Air Force Day - IAF's 87th anniversary. "Greetings to all IAF personnel and their families on the 87th IAF Day," Singh said in a tweet. "The IAF is the shining example of exemplary courage, fortitude, determination and impeccable service to our nation. These men and women in Blue have the ability to touch the sky with grit and glory," he said. After the handover ceremony, the minister is scheduled to fly a sortie in the Rafale jet following a brief Shastra Puja conducted by him, which will conclude with the traditional breaking of a coconut before the new aircraft. "Raksha Mantri will participate in the Rafale fighter aircraft handing over ceremony at Merignac along with French minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly," a ministry of defence spokesperson said. "He will also perform the Shastra Puja on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami and fly a sortie in the Rafale fighter aircraft," the spokesperson said. Members of the top military brass of France as well as senior officials of Dassault Aviation will also be present at the ceremony. India had ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016. While the formal handover ceremony takes place this week, the first batch of four Rafale jets will fly to their home base in India by May 2020. All 36 jets are expected to arrive in India by September 2022, for which the IAF has been reportedly undertaking preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots. The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The manufacturers describe it as a fully versatile aircraft which can carry out all combat aviation missions to achieve air superiority and air defence, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. "In the defence sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is our longest standing export customer and has been flying Dassault aircraft since 1953. The acquisition contract for 36 Rafale signed in 2016 and the modernisation of the Mirage 2000 I/TI are a continuation of this historic partnership," Dassault Aviation said in a statement. The Rafale jets intended for India are expected to come with certain bespoke modifications for the IAF and have been awaited as a crucial enhancement to India's Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft fleet. The first Rafale jet will come with tail number RB 001, with RB denoting the initials of Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhadauria who played a key role in striking the deal for the jets in his previous role as IAF deputy chief.

Rajnath Singh arrives for Rafale handover ceremony in France

The first batch of five Rafale fighter jets will be formally inducted into the <keyword id="15141" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> on Thursday in Ambala air base, at a time India is engaged in an escalating border row with China in eastern Ladakh. A galaxy of dignitaries including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar will attend the ceremony. "The program will include ceremonial unveiling of the <keyword id="939956" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rafale-aircraft">Rafale aircraft</keyword>, a traditional 'Sarva Dharma Puja', air display by Rafale and Tejas aircraft as well as by 'Sarang aerobatic team'," an IAF spokesperson said, describing the ceremony as a "very important milestone" in the history of the force. The Rafale jets, produced by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are known for air-superiority and precision strikes. IAF Spokesperson Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said a traditional water cannon salute will be given to the Rafale fleet before its ceremonial induction into the 17 squadron of the force. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. The French delegation at the ceremony will include French envoy Emmanuel Lenain, Air Gen Eric Autellet, Vice Chief of <keyword id="162534" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="French-Air-Force">French Air Force</keyword>, Chairman and Chief Executive of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier and CEO of missile maker MBDA Eric Beranger. After the ceremony, Parly and Singh will hold talks in Ambala on ways to further deepen bilateral defence and security cooperation after the ceremony, they said. Ten Rafale jets have been delivered to India so far and five of them stayed back in France for imparting training to IAF pilots. The delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. A second batch of four to five Rafale jets are likely to arrive in India by November. Sources said a preliminary discussion on a possible procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India from France may figure in the talks between Singh and Parly. The Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia. The Rafale jets are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA's Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets. Meteor is a next generation beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat. The weapon has been developed by MBDA to combat common threats facing the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden. Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. The trainer jets will be twin-seater and they will have almost all the features of the fighter jets. While the first squadron of the Rafale jets will be stationed at Ambala air base, the second one will be based at Hasimara base in West Bengal. The 17 Squadron of the IAF which was resurrected on September 10 last year. The squadron was originally raised at Air Force Station, Ambala on Oct 1 1951. The 17 Squadron has many firsts to its credit; in 1955 it was equipped with the first jet fighter, the legendary De Havilland Vampire. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/airline-ticket-refund-supreme-court-seeks-clarification-from-the-centre-and-grants-ten-days-to-airlines-to-submit-their-reply/articleshow/78014888.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Airline ticket refund: Supreme Court seeks clarification from the Centre and grants ten days to airlines to submit their reply</a>

India to formally induct Rafale aircraft in the 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' today

The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent was given a grand welcome as it landed at the Hyakuri Air Base, about 80 km northeast of Tokyo, on Tuesday for the inaugural joint Air Exercise between India and <keyword id="6355311" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="japan" source="Orion">Japan</keyword> that kicks off on January 12. 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. Hyakuri Air Base Commander Major General Ishimura Takahisa, who welcomed the IAF contingent along with India's Ambassador to Japan Sibi George, affirmed that both countries will continue to promote <keyword id="32723" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="defence" source="Orion">defence</keyword> cooperation in order to maintain and strengthen the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) region. The Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) will be represented by four Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighters and four F-15 aircraft in the joint exercise. The Hyakuri Air Base, located in the Omitama City of Ibaraki Prefecture, is the only base in the Tokyo metropolitan area that has a combat air wing. It was home to the former Navy Hyakurigahara Air Corps, which was established in 1938. In 2010, Hyakuri Airport was shared and the Ibaraki Airport terminal building was completed. In 2019, Japan Air Force's 302nd Squadron (F-4) was moved to Misawa Air Base and upgraded to the F-35A. One year later, the reconnaissance squadron was abolished and the 3rd Squadron (F-2) moved from Misawa Air Base to Hyakuri Air Base. As India and Japan celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Chief of Air Staff <keyword id="11374039" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vivek-ram-chaudhari" source="Orion">Vivek Ram Chaudhari</keyword> visited the key JASDF base in May last year at the invitation of JASDF chief <keyword id="16031512" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shunji-izutsu" source="Orion">Shunji Izutsu</keyword>. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari was given a detailed presentation by Base Commander Ishimura on the units, equipment, etc. during his visit. As reported by IndiaNarrative.com earlier, both countries had decided to hold their first air combat exercises following the 90-minute bilateral between visiting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart <keyword id="2878170" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="yasukazu-hamada" source="Orion">Yasukazu Hamada</keyword> in Tokyo on September 8. Held at the headquarters of the Japanese Defence Ministry ahead of the second India-Japan 2 + 2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial, the discussion finalised a roadmap to step up bilateral defence cooperation and engage in more military exercises. This also included the holding of the first joint fighter jet drills, reflecting the growing security cooperation between the two sides. "This exercise will thus be another step in deepening strategic ties and closer defence cooperation between the two countries," the Indian Defence Ministry said in a statement last week. The inaugural exercise will include the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces. They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices. Experts from both sides will also hold discussions to share their expertise on varied operational aspects. "Exercise 'Veer Guardian' will fortify the long-standing bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces," said the Defence Ministry. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/imf-sees-india-as-bright-spot-in-global-economy-says-pm-modi/articleshow/96905302.cms">IMF sees India as 'bright spot' in global economy, says PM Modi</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-hc-reserves-order-on-suit-seeking-stay-on-release-of-web-series-based-on-uphar-cinema-tragedy/articleshow/96909071.cms">Delhi HC reserves order on suit seeking stay on release of web series based on Uphar cinema tragedy</a>

Indian fighter jets welcomed in Japan with water cannon salute

NEW DELHI: When the <keyword id="6376012" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tejas">Tejas</keyword> light combat aircraft tears into the sky over Bangalore on Friday, its sonic boom will finally herald a major milestone in the long, tortuous developmental saga of the homegrown supersonic fighter. 
 Having clocked almost 2,420 flight tests since its prototype first flew in January 2011, the lightweight multirole Tejas fighter will finally zoom past the initial operational clearance (<keyword id="6354733" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="IOC">IOC</keyword>) mark on Friday. For long wary of <keyword id="508910" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="The-Fighter">the fighter</keyword> being prematurely thrust down its throat, even the IAF will clap this time. 
 "This Tejas Mark-I is much better than a MiG-21 'Bison' on several counts, including weapon-carrying capability and range. But the fighter's full capabilities will emerge only in the Tejas Mark-II version, with a more powerful engine, radar and weapons, which is slated to be ready by December 2018," said a top <keyword id="194542" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="IAF-officer">IAF officer</keyword>. 
 But that is in the future. Friday will mark the actual IOC - which basically signifies the fighter is fully airworthy in different conditions, from extremely low temperatures of high-altitude areas to the searing heat of deserts - of the Tejas Mark-I. It will not be the specious one that the combine of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), <keyword id="139969" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aeronautical-Development-Agency">Aeronautical Development Agency</keyword> (ADA) and <keyword id="139970" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Hindustan-Aeronautics-Ltd">Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd</keyword> (HAL) passed off as IOC-I in January 2011. 
 
 
 
The Tejas Mark-I fighter, however, will be ready to go to battle only in 2015 once it gets the final operational clearance (FOC), after integration of all weapons and other systems to ensure it can fi re 23mm guns, rockets and BVR (beyond visual range) missiles as well as undergo air-to-air refuelling. As of now, the Tejas can let loose only close-range R-73 air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground laser and unguided bombs. 
 It's a no-brainer that India needs to have its own <keyword id="6500558" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Indigenous">indigenous</keyword> fighter in an era where the supremacy of airpower in shaping modern-day battles is unquestioned, and foreign imports can be choked in times of emergencies. 
 But the way the LCA project has meandered over the years, since it was fi rst approved in August 1983 at a paltry cost of Rs 560 crore to replace the ageing MiG-21s, has tested everyone's patience. So much so that TOI in April 2003, just before then PM <keyword id="47100" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</keyword> named it "Tejas", had suggested it be christened "Jet-Ayu" - 'Ayu' being the Hindi word for age, and 'Jatayu', the bird king who fought Ravana in vain to prevent him from abducting Sita. 
 
Down to just 34 fighter squadrons, IAF is of course still fl ying the obsolete MiG-21s. Due to the huge delay in the LCA project, it still has around 250 MiG-21s in its combat fleet, having further staggered their already long-delayed retirement by at least another five years. Not only has the LCA been in the making for 30 years, with deadlines being missed time and again, its overall developmental cost has also zoomed up to Rs 17,269 crore. This includes the Kaveri aero engine, sanctioned in 1989 at a cost of Rs 2,839 crore, which flopped miserably. 
 Consequently, while the first lot of Tejas will be powered by the American <keyword id="45528" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="GE">GE</keyword>-404 engines, the Mark-II ones will have the more powerful GE F-414 engines. Over and above the developmental cost, each Tejas will cost around Rs 210-250 crore. So, the induction of 160 Tejas - 120 for IAF, 40 for Navy - will cost another Rs 35,000 crore. 
 
However, defence scientists pooh-pooh all this talk of high costs. 
 "A fourth-generation-plus fighter, Tejas will still be among the cheapest fighters in its class in the world. It's not easy to develop a digital fl y-by-wire supersonic fighter from scratch, especially when India faced international sanctions for several years after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests," said a <keyword id="9662" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Scientist">scientist</keyword>. 
 Though late in coming, the Tejas is certainly critical for the IAF to meet its lightweight fighter requirements. While the heavyweight fighter category is taken care of by the Sukhoi-30MKIs, the medium range is to be met by the proposed almost $20 billion MMRCA (medium multirole combat aircraft) project to acquire 126 <keyword id="6381048" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rafale">Rafale</keyword> fighters. 
 "The MMRCA and Tejas squadrons are very critical for us to maintain our deterrence capability. Otherwise, our force levels will go down rapidly," says <keyword id="483998" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="IAF-Chief-Air-Chief-Marshal">IAF chief Air Chief Marshal</keyword> NAK Browne.

Tejas: A Rs 50,000 crore bird for India

To counter the massive construction and development on the Chinese side along the 1800 km border, India is fast equipping itself with sufficient 
 Strategic launch bases in Arunachal Pradesh for the <keyword id="15141" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> (IAF). This strategic launch base is called an Advance Landing Ground or ALG. 
 
After activating IAF four Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) at Ziro, Along, Mechuka and Walong in Arunachal Pradesh, the IAF on August 19 th made yet another ALG-the 5th in the row in the North East region at Arunachal Pradesh itself. 
 
These ALGs act as transportation hubs during peace time and in case of contingencies like road closure, landslides, conflicts and war like situations the ALGs would act as launch bases for support of troops as well as replenishment of supplies. 
 
The ALGs got an impetus after state government and the forces witnessed massive construction and development on the Chinese side along the 1,080-km border. The area remains a bone of contention between the Indian and Chinese forces where the line of actual control acts as the de facto border. 
 The upgraded Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated by <keyword id="638723" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kiren-Rijiju">Kiren Rijiju</keyword>, MoS for Home Affairs in the presence of Air Marshal C Hari Kumar AVSM VM VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-chief (AOC-in-C), Eastern Air Command on August 19. 
 
Apart from serving the strategic advantage, the ALG at Pasighat will facilitate air connectivity with rest of the country and give a huge fillip to tourism in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. 
 
A flypast by a formation of three Sukhoi-30 MKI Air Dominance Fighter aircraft, that took off from one of the forward Airbases was a highlight of the event. This was followed by a Su-30MKI also landing at the ALG. 
 
The touchdown by a frontline fighter jet of the IAF at the ALG is a 'historic first' in the predominantly hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh, which has several ALGs at varying altitudes. 
 
The new runway surface and other infrastructure built are similar to the other upgraded ALGs that have been inaugurated in the recent months. 
 Replete with facilities such as aprons for ground manouevering, <keyword id="735991" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-traffic-control-tower">Air Traffic Control Tower</keyword>, perimeter road and a security wall, the ALG will facilitate operations of fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters of both civil and military operators. 
 
The ALG at Pasighat was taken over by the IAF in February 2010. Previously, it was small strip that was partly paved, partly grassy, and reinforced with perforated steel plates. It was utilized in the past for air maintenance sorties and casualty evacuation by the IAF. Commercial helicopter operations were also being undertaken from the helipads that existed earlier. 
 The <keyword id="54875" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airports-Authority-of-India">Airports Authority of India</keyword> (AAI) is also the process of setting up a civil terminal, the construction of which has yet to commence. Now the need of the hour is for all agencies to get together and make it happen. 
 It may be recalled that following a MoU between Government of Arunachal Pradesh and <keyword id="6369097" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Defence">Ministry of Defence</keyword> in June 2009, the IAF had embarked on an ambitious reconstruction plan to upgrade eight ALGs, including infrastructure development at an overall outlay of nearly Rs. 1,000 Crore. 
 
Two ALGs at Tuting and Tawang are expected to be ready by the year end, while the ALG at Vijaynagar would undertake for reconstruction as soon as the road connectivity between Miao and Vijaynagar is restored.

You Searched For "IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal" and got 13 results

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