The IAF’s display of air power on Air Force Day fired the imagination of the nation—and strove to conceal the fatigue

October 8, 2009. The tapestry of aerial brilliance vied with the pomp and pageantry unfolding on the ground even as the audience was left spellbound with the celebrations marking the 77th birthday of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad on the outskirts of Delhi. Fine display of air power by frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30, Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000, the maiden entry of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), the IAF’s eye in the sky, and the prowess of Surya Kiran and Sarang earned the crowd’s applause.

October 8, 2009. The tapestry of aerial brilliance vied with the pomp and pageantry unfolding on the ground even as the audience was left spellbound with the celebrations marking the 77th birthday of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad on the outskirts of Delhi. Fine display of air power by frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30, Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000, the maiden entry of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), the IAF’s eye in the sky, and the prowess of Surya Kiran and Sarang earned the crowd’s applause.

A key objective of the IAF is to support ground troops by providing air defence cover and by transporting men and essential commodities across the battlefield. Consequently, the air force maintains a fleet of helicopters and the Mi-17 is an important part of this fleet. A version of the Mi-8 airframe, the Mi-17 helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 13 tones. It can carry up to 36 passengers or 4 tonnes within the cargo compartment. Externally, it can carry a load of upto 4.5 tonnes. The IAF currently operates two Mi-25/35 Attack Helicopter Squadrons (No.104 Firebirds and No.125 Gladiators).

On the other hand, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s multi-role helicopter Dhruv is being supplied to the Indian armed forces. Its civilian variant is also available. The helicopter was first exported to Nepal and Israel, and is on order by several other countries for both military and commercial use. Military versions in production are for transport, utility, reconnaissance and medical evacuation roles.

For the first time, the AWACS was unveiled to the nation. Escorted by two Su-30s, the ‘Phalcon’ endowed eye-in-the-sky was showcased as a proud possession of the IAF at the parade. Equipped with the Israeli-made radar mounted on Russian IL-76, the AWACS provides the IAF capability to keep a close watch on enemy aircraft and missiles taking off from their bases, even as it flies far away from the border and helps in directing Indian fighter aircraft and air defence counter measures to the incoming threats.