IAF Day: Rafale’s 1st Appearance; Bhadauria Lauds Ladakh Response

India celebrated its 88th India Air Force Day at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.

IAF personnel march past during the 88th Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.

(Photo: PTI)

Speaking on the occasion of the Indian Air Force’s foundation day, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Thursday, 8 October, commended air warriors for a "quick response along the northern frontiers during the recent standoff".

Apart from the IAF chief, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane and Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh also attended the 88th IAF day celebrations at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad on Thursday.

The key highlight of the ceremony were the newly inducted Rafale jets, with a parade-cum-investiture ceremony also held to mark the occasion.

IAFs helicopter display team Sarang performs aerobatic stunts during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.

Su-30 aircraft of the Indian Air Force fires flares during the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, .

Rafale fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force fires flares during the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

“I want to assure the nation that the Indian Air Force will evolve and be ever ready to safeguard our nation's sovereignty and interests in all circumstances”, IAF Chief Bhadauria was quoted as saying.

“As we enter the 89th year, the IAF is undergoing a transformational change. We are entering an era which will redefine where we employ aerospace power and conduct integrated multi-domain operations,” he added.

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria inspects a guard of honour during the 88th Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.(Photo: PTI)

‘Demonstrated Our Will to Effectively Engage the Adversary’

Bhadauria, while addressing the event, lauded the force’s response amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing standoff with China in Ladakh.

“This year has indeed been an unprecedented one. As COVID-19 spread across the globe, our nation's response was firm. The tenacity and resolve of our air warriors ensured that IAF continued to retain its capability to undertake full-scale operations throughout this period,” he said.

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria addresses during the 88th Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.(Photo: PTI)

“I commend all air warriors for quick response in the recent standoff on the northern frontiers, when we deployed our combat assets at short notice to handle any eventuality and provided proactive support to all requirements of deployment and sustenance for Indian Army.”

IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria, as quoted by ANI

We have clearly demonstrated our resolve, operational capability and will to effectively engage the adversary should the need arise, the IAF chief said, adding that the emerging security scenario mandates greater need to have a strong air force to fight across domains and the entire spectrum of warfare.

“The recent induction of Rafale, Chinook and Apache aircraft significantly enhanced our combat capability over adversaries.”

IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria, as quoted by PTI

Wishes Pour In

An Indian Air Force paratrooper performs during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.(Photo: PTI)

Wishes poured in from across the nation on IAF day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding the force’s “courage, valour and dedication.”

Tweeting earlier in the day, PM Modi said, “You not only keep the skies of the country secure but also play a leading role in the service of humanity during disasters. Your courage, valour and dedication inspires everyone.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter to wish the force.“My felicitations and best wishes to the air warriors and their families on the occasion of Air Force Day-2020. Eighty eight years of dedication, sacrifice and excellence mark the journey of the IAF which is today a lethal and formidable force to reckon with,” he tweeted.

(Photo Courtesy: Screenshot/Twitter)

President Ram Nath Kovind, too, took to Twitter to laud the IAF. “On Air Force Day, we proudly honour our air warriors, veterans, and families of Indian Air Force. The nation remains indebted to contribution of IAF in securing our skies and assisting civil authorities in Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief,” Kovind said.

(Photo Courtesy: Screenshot/Twitter)