IAF Celebrates 93rd Foundation Day with Joint Army‑Navy‑Air Parade
On 8 October 2025, the Indian Air Force marked its 93rd Foundation Day at Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and did something no one had ever seen before – the parade began with a joint contingent from the Army, Navy and Air Force. The sight of tricolour‑draped soldiers marching side‑by‑side under a single salute turned the ceremony into a living showcase of India’s integrated defence posture.
Historical Roots of the Indian Air Force
The IAF’s story starts on 8 October 1932, when the then‑Royal Indian Air Force was cobbled together with just six officers and four Westland Wapiti biplanes. Its first squadron took to the skies on 1 April 1933, and a decade later the force earned the coveted ‘Royal’ prefix for its daring role in the Burma Campaign of World War II. When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, the crown‑laden title was dropped, and the service has been known simply as the Indian Air Force ever since.
Since independence, the force has fought in four major wars – the 1947‑48 and 1965 Indo‑Pak wars, the 1962 Sino‑Indian conflict, and the 1999 Kargil operation. Each clash added a layer of experience that shaped today’s modern, network‑centric air arm.
Celebrations at Hindon: Highlights and Honors
The ceremony welcomed a parade of dignitaries: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who took the salute for the IAF contingent. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh oversaw the wreath‑laying at the National War Memorial earlier that morning.
In total, 97 air warriors received honors. Special appreciation certificates were handed to the Golden Arrow Squadron of Rafale jets for their role in Operation Sindur, the BrahMos‑armed Sukhoi squadron dubbed “Tiger Shark”, the S‑400 missile unit and the Loitering Munition team. A MI‑171 helicopter proudly displayed the Operation Sindur flag during the fly‑past, a vivid reminder of the force’s recent combat achievements.
- Fleet size: >1,700 aircraft across 42 squadrons
- Personnel: ~140,000 (10,000 officers, 130,000 airmen)
- Women pilots: serving in all combat roles since 2016
- Target: fully operational 42 squadrons by 2035
The aerial display featured Rafale fighters roaring overhead, Sukhoi jets firing mock BrahMos missiles, and the S‑400 air‑defence system tracking simulated threats. The spectacle underscored the IAF’s shift toward a network‑centric force that can blend air‑to‑air, air‑to‑ground and cyber capabilities.
Operation Sindur and Modern Capabilities
Operation Sindur, carried out in early 2025, saw Rafale jets strike strategic targets across the Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir region in response to cross‑border aggression. The mission was lauded for its precision and limited collateral damage, reaffirming the IAF’s confidence in French‑made avionics and indigenous weapons integration.
“Our pilots demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and tactical acumen,” said Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. “The success of Operation Sindur showcases how the IAF can project power swiftly and decisively.” The operation also highlighted the growing role of loitering munitions, which can hover for hours before striking, providing a flexible tool for dynamic battlefields.
Political Leaders and Defence Officials' Remarks
“A joint parade sends a strong signal that India’s three services are moving forward as one cohesive unit,” remarked Amit Shah. Yogi Adityanath added that the event “reinforces our resolve to protect the nation’s skies and borders.”
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stressed the strategic value of interoperability: “When the Army, Navy and Air Force train together, we reduce response times and enhance joint decision‑making during crises.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that the IAF’s modernization roadmap aligns with India’s broader security objectives, especially in the Indo‑Pacific theatre.
Future Plans: Squadrons, Technology, and Network‑Centric Vision
Looking ahead, the IAF aims to field 42 fully operational squadrons by 2035, a goal that will require new acquisitions, upgraded avionics and expanded training pipelines. The force is already ingesting artificial‑intelligence‑enabled decision‑support tools that can crunch sensor data in real time, a key step toward the coveted network‑centric warfighting model projected for 2040.
Women’s integration continues apace. The first batch of female fighter pilots entered service in 2016, and today they fly Rafales, Jaguars and the newer Tejas Mk. 1 aircraft. Their presence is a testament to the IAF’s commitment to diversity, which the Ministry of Defence says enhances operational effectiveness.
In a world where aerial threats evolve at breakneck speed, the IAF’s blend of heritage, cutting‑edge technology and joint spirit may well define India’s security narrative for the next two decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the joint Army‑Navy‑Air parade affect India’s defence strategy?
The joint parade signals a shift toward deeper integration across the three services, enabling faster decision‑making and coordinated operations. By training and presenting a united front, the armed forces can reduce duplication, improve logistics and project a stronger deterrent posture against regional threats.
What was Operation Sindur and why is it significant?
Operation Sindur was a 2025 precision strike campaign carried out by the IAF’s Rafale squadron against hostile installations in the Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir area. Its success demonstrated the IAF’s ability to conduct high‑precision, low‑collateral‑damage missions using advanced French and indigenous weapons, reinforcing India’s air‑strike capability.
How many aircraft does the Indian Air Force currently operate?
According to the Ministry of Defence, the IAF maintains a fleet of more than 1,700 aircraft, spread across 42 squadrons. This mix includes fighter jets like Rafales and Su‑30MKIs, transport aircraft, helicopters and advanced air‑defence systems such as the S‑400.
When does the IAF plan to achieve full operational strength of its squadrons?
The force’s modernization roadmap targets a fully operational strength of 42 squadrons by 2035. This timeline hinges on new aircraft deliveries, platform upgrades and the expansion of training facilities to accommodate both male and female pilots.
What role do women play in the Indian Air Force today?
Women have been flying combat missions since the 2016 induction of the first female fighter pilots. Today they serve across all combat roles, piloting Rafales, Jaguars and the indigenous Tejas Mk. 1, and they also occupy key positions in logistics, intelligence and command structures, reflecting the IAF’s push for gender‑inclusive strength.
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