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An Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerobatic demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, killing the pilot in a high-profile accident that has sent shockwaves through India’s defence establishment and the global aviation community.  Image Source: Flight Radar The incident occurred around 2:10 pm local time during a complex aerial manoeuvre at Al Maktoum International Airport on the final day of the international air exhibition. The HAL-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which had been performing a loop followed by a negative-G turn, lost altitude rapidly and slammed into the ground in full view of spectators.  Videos shared online showed the aircraft nosediving and exploding in a massive fireball, sending plumes of black smoke into the Dubai sky and prompting an immediate emergency response. An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply...

India’s Operation Sindhu continues to scale up its evacuation of nationals from conflict-hit Israel. On June 24, a third evacuation flight carrying 268 Indian nationals landed in New Delhi at 11:00 AM.  Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan received the evacuees at the airport, according to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Image Source: FM/MEA on X The latest Indian Air Force C-17 flight departed from Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where evacuees had been routed amid ongoing hostilities.  With this latest arrival, a total of 594 Indian citizens have now been safely evacuated from Israel under Operation Sindhu. The operation began on June 23, in response to escalating conflict following weeks of missile and drone exchanges between Israel, Iran, and the United States.  The Indian government continues to coordinate closely with multiple countries to ensure the safe return of its nationals from various conflict zones in the region.

India has expanded its Operation Sindhu evacuation mission to include nationals stranded in Israel as the regional conflict continues to intensify.  On June 23, the first group of 161 Indian nationals evacuated from Israel via Jordan safely arrived in New Delhi at 8:20 AM.  Minister of State P. Margherita welcomed the returnees at the airport, according to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Image Source: IAF Continuing the mission, an Indian Air Force C-17 flight evacuated an additional 165 Indian nationals from Israel, landing in Delhi at 8:45 AM on June 24.  Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan received the evacuees upon arrival.  The IAF confirmed that its aircraft have also been deployed to evacuate Indian nationals and citizens of friendly countries from other conflict zones in the region, including missions launched from Jordan and Egypt. The expansion of Operation Sindhu comes as Iran, Israel, and the United States remain locked in a cycle o...

In a swift overnight operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully airlifted a liver and two kidneys from Command Hospital, Pune to Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi.  Image Source: IAF The organs, donated by a brain-dead dependent of a soldier, will provide a new lease of life to multiple recipients. The coordinated mission, executed jointly by the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and the IAF, reflects the military’s unwavering commitment to service beyond duty.

In a swift and life-saving operation, the Indian Air Force  launched a dedicated air ambulance mission to evacuate an Indian Army officer from Kathmandu to New Delhi , after he developed a critical medical condition during descent from Mt. Everest. The officer was part of a high-altitude joint expedition by the National Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) , Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering (JIM) , and Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering (HIM) . Image Source: IAF on X According to IAF officials, the evacuation was carried out with urgency following an emergency alert from Nepal. The mission underscored the Air Force’s operational readiness and humanitarian commitment to safeguarding lives—even in some of the world’s most challenging terrains, officials said. 📚 Suggested Readings from IndianRepublic.in India Rebukes Pakistan’s Terror Ties at The Hague India Pushes Peace and Security Dialogue in UAE India’s Strategic Pitch at Berlin Anti-Terror For...

Four personnel from the Indian Air Force have been conferred the Shaurya Chakra for acts of exceptional courage and presence of mind during life-threatening situations, both in the air and on the ground. The gallantry awards recognise their swift action, professional skill, and composure under extreme pressure, which helped avert potentially catastrophic outcomes. Image Source: IAF on X Wing Commander Vernon Keane was flying a routine sortie in a fighter aircraft when a malfunction in the oil system led to the shutdown of both engines mid-flight. Despite the critical nature of the emergency, he maintained control of the aircraft, steering it away from populated areas to minimise the risk to civilian life. In the process, he managed to relight one of the engines and safely recover the aircraft, thereby preventing loss of life and saving a valuable national asset. Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar was on a night instructional sortie with a trainee pilot when a bird strike resulted in an engi...

The Indian Air Force (IAF) concluded the prestigious 47th Flight Test Course at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Bengaluru, with a ceremonial valedictory function known as the Suranjan Das Dinner . The event marks the culmination of a rigorous 48-week specialised training programme aimed at enhancing India's flight testing capabilities for advanced aerial platforms and systems. Image Source: IAF on X Air Chief Marshal AP Singh , Chief of the Air Staff, presided over the ceremony and presented course completion certificates and trophies to officers for outstanding performance. In his address, he emphasized the strategic importance of test flying as a specialised and high-integrity domain , critical to national defence preparedness and innovation. Highlighting India’s pursuit of self-reliance, the Air Chief cited indigenous defence development programmes such as the Advanced Medi...

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited the Headquarters Western Air Command (WAC) in New Delhi to review operational preparedness and hold discussions with Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra , Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command. Image Source:Indian Army on X The visit, which took place amid ongoing post-Operation Sindoor readiness measures, focused on joint operational coordination between the Indian Air Force and other branches of the armed forces. Discussions centred on the status of synergised air operations , operational integration, and command-level assessments. During the visit, General Chauhan interacted with officers and personnel of the Western Air Command. He commended the unit’s role in Operation Sindoor , specifically highlighting the Indian Air Force’s contribution to integrated missions during the cross-border counter-terror strikes. The Chief of Defence Staff reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to jointness and operational synergy , bo...

Against the backdrop of heightened regional security concerns and India’s intensified counter-terror posture following Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) held the 14th edition of Air Staff Talks in New Delhi from May 19 to 22, 2025 . The engagement marks a continued effort by India to strengthen strategic military ties across the Indo-Pacific. Image Source: Indian Air Force on X The talks focused on deepening bilateral cooperation through joint training exercises , exchange of operational expertise , and professional military education between the two Air Forces. The dialogue was co-chaired by Air Vice Marshal II Kuttappa from the IAF and Air Marshal Pichitchai Surakitpipat representing the RTAF. The timing of the meeting is significant. India is currently leading a sustained global diplomatic and military campaign against cross-border terrorism in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack , which left 26 civilians dead. As pa...

Suratgarh/Naliya, May 19 — Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited the forward bases at Suratgarh Military Station and Naliya Air Force Station today to review operational preparedness and boost troop morale. Accompanied by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Army Commander, South Western Command, and Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, AOC-in-C, South Western Air Command, the CDS interacted with personnel and commended their high state of readiness and morale. The visit came in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor , during which Indian forces repelled multiple incursions by a western adversary. General Chauhan lauded the troops for their valour, professionalism, and commitment, calling their actions exemplary of military excellence. He was briefed on the deployment of advanced air defence systems and held strategic discussions with senior commanders. The CDS stressed the need for constant vigilance and inter-service synergy to meet evolving threats. He also acknowledged the suppo...