ADDRESS BY CAS ON 91st ANNIVERSARY OF IAF

Complete Address by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari on October 8, 2023, celebrating the Indian Air Force Day

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GENERAL ANIL CHAUHAN, CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, FORMER Chiefs, Air Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor, AOC-in-C, Central Air Command, Senior Officers from the three services, Esteemed Veterans, Air Warriors on parade, distinguished guests, members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen.

On our 91st Anniversary, I extend my best wishes to all personnel of the Indian Air Force.

My compliments to AOC-in-C, Central Air Command, AOC AF Station Bamrauli and their teams for putting up such a befitting show. My compliments to the Parade Commander and all Air Warriors on parade for your immaculate turn out, exacting drill movements and josh.

Good Show and Keep it Up!

Today, we come together not only to celebrate this day, but also to reflect on our rich history, our present achievements and chart our future as custodians of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have inherited a proud legacy of professionalism, perseverance and passion, curated by our predecessors. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of our veterans who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Air Force’s identity, capabilities and ethos.

On behalf of all Air Warriors, I would like to pay homage to our braves, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. It is our solemn responsibility to preserve their legacy and uphold the values for which they fought.

The last one year had brought its fair share of challenges our way. I am happy to note that the IAF has performed exceedingly well and passed every test with flying colours. We have not only circumvented challenges but also turned those challenges into opportunities. The current geopolitical landscape has provided us an opportunity to reduce dependency on imports by developing indigenous capability.