IAF INCHING BEYOND OPERATION SINDOOR: A NEW HORIZON

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was established on October 8, 1932, as an auxiliary air force of the British empire.

- MAJ GEN J.K.S. PARIHAR

The first operational squadron was formed in April 1933 with just three aircraft, six officers, and 19 Hawai Sepoys. Since then, the IAF has grown in strength and capabilities to become the fourth-largest air power in the world, with over 1,725 aircraft, hypersonic missiles, some of the best counteroffensive air defense and navigation systems, and 135,000 personnel ofall ranks.

The 93rd anniversary of the IAF marks a major milestone and a significant transformation, allowing the IAF to take on a new role, especially gaining more recognition worldwide after its impressive performance during the recently completed Operation Sindoor.

The IAF has achieved numerous significant milestones since independence, notably during the accession of Kashmir in 1947 -48, the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965, the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, and the highaltitude warfare in Siachen and Kargil in 1985 and 99, respectively. Italso executed alethalair strike on Balakot in 2019. Furthermore, the IAF successfully carried out air operations in Sri Lanka in 1987 and in the Maldives in 1988. Additionally, the IAF has led peacekeeping and humanitarian missions responding to natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and numerous other domestic and international operations.

Operation Sindoor has showcased the unwavering and well-established dominance of the IAF in Southeast Asia, despite the significant strength of joint military efforts by the PLA and the Pakistan military.

Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the strength and decisive mindset of the Indian leadership, both political and military, while also achieving smooth operational synergy among all three services and paramilitary forces, highlighting the key role of the air force.