Air Force

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is undertaking sustained aerial firefighting operations in the Northeastern region of the country, responding to active forest fires in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

At Walong, Arunachal Pradesh, IAF helicopters have successfully extinguished a major wildfire. A total of 139,800 litres of water was dropped during multiple sorties to contain and eliminate the blaze in the affected area.

Simultaneously, firefighting operations are continuing over Dzukou Valley in Nagaland. The IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopters are undertaking water-bucketing missions, drawing water from Padumpokhiri Lake, Dimapur, to combat fires in the vicinity of Japfu Peak.

The operations are being conducted under challenging conditions, including steep terrain, poor visibility and rarefied air at high altitudes. Despite these constraints, IAF crews continue to carry out missions with precision and commitment in close co-ordination with civil administration, and Indian Army.

The Indian Air Force remains Indian Air Force and the local civil administration, remain fully committed to dousing residual flames, preventing flare-ups, and securing affected areas and is dedicated to providing all necessary assistance to civil authorities in safeguarding lives, property and the environment.

• H-125 final assembly line is a milestone in India-France strategic partnership: Raksha Mantri
• “Govt is committed to achieving self-reliance in critical tech & manufacturing high-end products through mutually beneficial partnerships”

New Delhi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and French President Mr Emmanuel Macron, on February 17, 2026, virtually inaugurated, from Mumbai, Tata Advanced Systems Final Assembly Line of the Airbus H-125 Light Utility Helicopter, located at Vemagal, Karnataka. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Ms Catherine Vautrin, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri KR Naidu and Minister for Large & Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka Dr MB Patil were present at the Final Assembly Line facility during the virtual inauguration.

In his address, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh described the final assembly line of H-125 helicopters as a milestone in the strategic partnership between India and France. “Our collaboration with France is limitless, where even sky is not a limit to our mutually beneficial partnership,” he said, congratulating TASL and Airbus Helicopters for the H-125 initiative which follows their earlier collaboration to manufacture C-295 transport aircraft in India. He termed the project as a symbol of how India can collaborate with international Original Equipment Manufacturers to contribute to the Make-in-India vision.

Emphasising that Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat have been the cornerstones of India’s economic policy since 2014, Raksha Mantri termed the initiative as one of the major highlights of PM Modi-led Government’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in critical technologies and manufacturing high-end products & equipment through mutually beneficial partnerships with friendly countries.

Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that the H-125 program investment is anticipated to exceed Rs 1,000 crore and is likely to create direct & indirect employment opportunities for skilled and hardworking youth. He dubbed the H-125 helicopters as a platform renowned for its exceptional reliability, versatility, and outstanding performance in diverse operating conditions. “The H-125 has proven to be one of the most effective and trusted single-engine helicopters globally,” he said.

Raksha Mantri stressed that India, for more than a decade, has been charting the path of rapid industrial development through large scale infrastructure building, capital infusion in important sectors through a number of schemes such as Production Linked Incentive, apart from providing a liberalised regime for facilitating investment. He underlined that the focus has also been to support the small & medium industry and strengthen the start-up ecosystem. “Overall, our objective is to ensure holistic industrial development which not only caters to our domestic needs, but also fulfills the requirement of other countries,” he said. Shri Rajnath Singh enumerated the reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence to augment the contribution of the private sector in the defence industrial ecosystem, including the corporatisation of Ordnance Factories, liberalised investment schemes, and establishment of defence industrial corridors. He stated that, historically, Indian defence production was largely public sector oriented due to various reasons such as requirement of high capital investment and long gestation period, that resulted in less-than-desirable contribution of the private sector in production and exports. He highlighted that due to the steps taken by the Government, the share of the private sector stands at almost a quarter of total defence production, and defence exports have increased manifold putting India among the top defence exporters of the world.

Raksha Mantri stated that this growth trajectory has provided a massive boost to the MSMEs and ancillary sectors, which have grown to over 16,000 in number today, adding that a large number of foreign companies currently source many components from Indian MSMEs. He invited companies to deepen this partnership through meaningful technology transfer and offer advanced solutions to meet the security needs of other countries as well.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar and other senior officials were also present at the event.

The H125M is optimised to serve as a high-altitude force multiplier across a spectrum of critical missions. This versatile platform is designed to excel in tactical reconnaissance and surveillance by leveraging its low acoustic and thermal signatures. Additionally, the H125M provides a decisive edge in high-altitude logistics, ensuring the delivery of vital supplies to remote frontline outposts, and serves as a rapid-response asset for search and rescue or medical evacuation operations.

The H125 is the only helicopter in history to have landed on the summit of Mount Everest, giving it a performance ceiling that exceeds existing light utility fleets. For the Indian military, which operates in some of the most challenging high-and-hot environments in the world, this performance can be a critical differentiator.

This is the second major Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus industrial collaboration, following the C295 military transport Final Assembly Line, cementing a comprehensive military aerospace ecosystem in India.

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, demonstrating its formidable combat readiness, operational synergy and technological prowess across full spectrum of air operations.

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced the Fire Power Demonstration as the Chief Guest, accompanied by esteemed dignitaries including the Hon’ble Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Culture and Tourism, GS Shekhawat, Chief Information Commissioner, Shri Raj Kumar Goyal, Cabinet Secretary, Dr TV Somanathan, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, Commanders-in-Chief of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, Senior Officers of the three Services, Officers of the Centre and State Governments, DPSUS, Former Air Chiefs, Esteemed Veterans, Defence Attaches from friendly foreign countries, Indian and International media and School children.

The exercise showcased IAF’s capability to execute complex, integrated air operations within a dynamic and realistic battlefield environment. Earlier in the day, Hon’ble President also undertook a sortie in the indigenously developed LCH Prachand, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

For the first time, Exercise Vayushakti was executed along a defined operational storyline, transforming into simulated live combat theatre. The exercise seamlessly integrated offensive air strikes, air defence operations. special forces missions and humanitarian assistance, highlighting IAF’s role as a multi-domain, integrated force and nation’s first responder.

The exercise commenced with National Song and National Anthem, accompanied by a ceremonial flypast of Chetak helicopters carrying National Flag, Air Force Ensign and Operation Sindoor Flag. This was followed by a precisely timed sonic boom by a Rafale fighter, setting the stage for high-intensity combat missions.

Over 130 aircraft participated in a day and night exercise including Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Mi-17, C-130J, C-295, C-17, the indigenous Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. Fighter aircraft executed precision strikes on simulated enemy targets using advanced air-to-ground weapons, including precision-guided munitions and long range strike capabilities, underscoring IAF’s ability to deliver decisive firepower with accuracy.

Air defence capabilities were demonstrated through coordinated engagements involving airborne platforms and ground based systems such as Akash and Spyder missile systems, supported by Army air defence assets, like L-70 and M-777 reflecting seamless jointmanship between air and ground forces. Special operations and humanitarian assistance missions formed a key component of the exercise. As dusk fell, Garud Special Forces, along with Para SF elements, were inserted by Mi-17 helicopters to conduct simulated urban intervention and hostage rescue operations. This was followed by assault landings and evacuation by C-130 and C-295 aircraft from Advanced Landing Ground, reaffirming IAF’s critical role in rapid response and casualty evacuation.

The night phase of exercise showcased integrated air defence and air-landed operations, followed by precision night strikes by multiple fighter platforms, demonstrating IAF’s capability to dominate the battlespace round-the-clock. The exercise concluded with a symbolic ceasefire fly-past by a C-17 aircraft, followed by a drone display celebrating IAF’s legacy and achievements.

Guided by its core values of “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek”, Exercise Vayushakti-26 validated IAF’s operational doctrine, joint integration and technological capabilities reaffirming its role as a key enabler of India’s comprehensive national power and strategic deterrence.

Sortie In Prachand Has Filled Me With A Renewed Sense Of Pride In The Nation’s Defence Capabilities: President Droupadi Murmu

New Delhi: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter PRACHAND at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, Rajasthan today (February 27, 2026). Earlier, she undertook sorties in Sukhoi 30 MKI and Rafale in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

The mission was undertaken as a two-aircraft LCH formation. President Droupadi Murmu flew in the lead aircraft with Group Capt. Nayan Shantilal Bahua, while Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Group Capt. A Mahendra flew as Number 2 in the second aircraft. During the approximately 25-minute mission, they flew over Gadisar Lake and Jaisalmer Fort and attacked a Tank Target. 

Later in the visitor’s book, the President expressed her feelings by writing a brief note in which she said, “The sortie in India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ is an enriching experience for me. This sortie has filled me with a renewed sense of pride in the nation’s defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station Jaisalmer for successfully organising this sortie”.

In the evening, the President will witness the Indian Air Force’s Exercise Vayu Shakti at Jaisalmer.

Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AVSM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, attended INVEST 2025 – International Conference on Vibration Engineering, Science, and Technology as Guest of Honour on 04 July 2025 at IIT Delhi.

In his keynote address, Air Marshal Garg underscored the critical role of advanced diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and engineering innovation in enhancing system reliability. Against the backdrop of a dynamic global geopolitical environment, he emphasized on the urgency of strengthening self-reliance, innovation, modernization, and technological advancement in defence.

He advocated for deeper synergy among academia, research institutions and industry for supporting indigenisation efforts by the Indian Air Force.

The event was also attended by several officers from various BRDs across the Delhi region, highlighting the significance of such academia-industry-defence interfaces.

The Air Marshal was commissioned in Administration branch of the Indian Air Force in June 1990. He holds an MBA in HRM from Pondicherry University and an    M Phil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Osmania University. In a career spanning over 35 years, the Air Marshal has held a number of important Command and Staff appointments which include Senior Air Traffic Control Officer of a forward base, represented IAF in the UN Mission at Congo, Air Force Examiner, Chief Administrative Officer of a premier Flying Station, Command Works Officer and Command Personnel Staff Officer at two Operational Commands, Air Officer Commanding of an Equipment Depot, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Air Force Works) at Air Headquarters and Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration of an Operational Command. Before assuming the present appointment, the Air Marshal was Director General (Administration) at Air HQ. The Air Officer is a recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal.