The Indian Air Force is more than just a bunch of swashbuckling young men careening around in their sexy supersonic jets (though it is this as well). The Indian Air Force is a force to reckon with. It is a highly professional service with some of the most highly educated defence personnel of the Indian military.
4th largest in the world
The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 and today is the fourth largest air force in the world 1,70,000 personnel and 1,500 aircraft. The IAF is South Asia’s biggest and most potent air force and is ranked above Japan and Germany in terms of strength.
It helps the Indian army
Not only do the men in their flying machines guard the Indian skies, they offer tactical support to army troops on the battlefield. The IAF transports personnel and troops, artillery, food and other rations and engages in airlift and rescue operations in some of the world’s harshest environments. The men in blue constitute a lifeline for many of the army’s units in forward areas.
The IAF comes to the rescue of civilians
The IAF swings into action when there are any natural calamities such as floods, earth quakes, tsunamis, or landslides, airlifting people to safety, air dropping relief supplies such as food packets, medical aid, blankets and so on.
Biggest, most powerful
Jodhpur air base is considered to be the most powerful air base in Asia, the transport bases of Agra and Hindon are among the biggest in Asia in terms of area and capability.
Highest air base in the world
At an elevation of 22,000 feet The Siachen Glacier AFS is the highest air force base in the world. The incredibly harsh conditions there mean that each sortie is a risk that takes man and machine to the limits of skill and endurance.
Aero India
India’s biennial air show, Aero India is held at Banglore’s Yelahanka Air Force Station. It is the world’s second largest air show after the Paris Air Show.
High tech Air Force
The AF Net is the oganisation’s fully secure communication network that uses a state of the art technology; now to be implemented by the army and navy as well.
Nabha Sparsham Deeptam
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The men in blue stay true to the motto of the IAF, Nabha Sparsham Deeptam meaning Touch the Sky with Glory which is taken from the Geetopdesh.
The IAF will have women fighter pilots
While women have flown transport aircraft in the IAF for years now, by 2017 we will also see women fighter pilots.
Meanwhile those guys in their overalls/ G suits…
Irresistible wouldn’t you say? So this is not a ‘fact’ about the IAF, but it is a legit opinion nevertheless.
Author – Reena Daruwalla
