The IAF is ready to take on combat operations if the government decides to use air power in its fight with Naxalites, says the Air Chief Marshal.
The Indian Air Force will soon induct 126 Mobile Medium Range Artillery helicopters to further augment its air power and the defence lines, said Air Chief Marshal P V Naik on Saturday.
Talking to media persons at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal after reviewing the combined graduation parade, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Naik said that talks are going on with the United States and Russia for the supply of the MMRA helicopters.
The CAS also revealed that 4 Air Force helicopters have already been employed by the security personnel involved in the fight against Naxalites. He added that the IAF is ready to take on combat operations if the government decides to use air power in its fight with the exremists.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) got a new batch of officers, with 171 newly-commissioned Flying Officers graduating from the Air Force Academy (AFA), at Dundigal near Hyderabad on Saturday.
Air Chief Marshal P V Naik reviewed the combined graduation parade and awarded the President's Commission to the graduating Flight Cadets that included 39 women Flight Cadets.
4 Indian Navy officers and one Indian Coast Guard officer also received their flying brevet (Wings) at the graduation parade, from the Air Chief.
Among the senior IAF officials present at the ceremony included Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Air Marshal D Kukreja and AFA Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Amit Aneja.
Civil dignitaries, retired and serving defence officers, parents and relatives of the graduating Flight Cadets were among others who witnessed the parade.
Addressing the newly-commissioned IAF officers, the Air Chief impressed upon the technological transformation of the Air Force and exhorted the young officers to acquire full understanding and knowledge of application of new technology to exploit the true potential of aerospace power.
He told the passing out officers that the Armed Forces is significantly dependent on the pivotal role that training establishments play in preparing human resources.
Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said that the Air Force Academy is the crucible where rookies from the street are prepared for the country's frontline fleets, and added that the premier institution has lived up to its reputation of producing the finest officers in the Indian Air Force.
The CAS said that the end of the training marked the beginning of their military career, and expressed hope that the military ethos and traditions ingrained in the officers would gel them into a cohesive unit in times of need.
Flying Officer Nandeep C S, who commanded the parade, was awarded the President's Plaque and the Chief of the Air Staff 'Sword of Honour' for standing first in the overall order of merit in the Pilot Course.
The President's Plaque for standing first in the overall order of merit in the Ground Duties branch was awarded to Flying Officer P Radhakrishnan, and in the Navigation branch to Flying Officer Satish Kumar J.
The parade marked the successful culmination of the training of the Flight Cadets at various IAF Training Establishments, including AFA, Air Force Administrative College (AFAC), Coimbatore, Air Force Stations - Hakimpet, Yelahanka and Begumpet.
Of the 171 commissioned, 95 are pilots and 16 navigators. The remaining 60 are from the Ground Duties branches of administration, logistics, accounts, education and meteorology. The young officers received their first salute from their immediate junior cadets as they slow-marched out of the parade to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne'.
A fly-past by Chetak helicopters, Kiran trainer aircraft, AN-32, Dornier and Hawk aircraft heralded the occasion. There was also a scintillating aerial ballad by Sarang – IAF's helicopter display team. A spellbinding display by a Su-30 MKI also captivated the audience.
Courtesy: INN