New Delhi: Nearly 80 military aircraft and helicopters of the Indian Air Force will put up a dazzling show as part of its 90th-anniversary celebrations in Chandigarh today. The aircraft will be participating in the Air Force Day fly-past at the Sukhna Lake complex, according to officials, reported news agency PTI.
What’s special about 90th-anniversary celebrations?
The IAF is organising its annual Air Force Day parade and fly-past outside the Delhi NCR for the first time. President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be present at Sukhna Lake to witness the aerial show.
Ahead of the air show, a ceremonial parade will be held at the air force station. Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari will inspect the parade. On this occasion, the Chief of Air Staff will unveil the new look of the combat uniform for the IAF personnel.
Flypast and schedule of events
ALH Mk IV chopper will fly past in Rudra formation at the parade event. There will be a demonstration by the mechanical transport team of vehicle dismantling and reassembly in a short time at the event, followed by a performance of the air warrior drill team.
The fly-past will be held at Sukhna Lake in the afternoon. The show will also witness the recently inducted indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) “Prachand” displaying its aerial prowess during the fly-past in a three aircraft formation.
Developed by state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the 5.8-tonne twin-engine LCH is armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns and rocket systems, and it is capable of destroying enemy tanks, bunkers, drones and other assets in high-altitude regions.
Besides LCH ‘Prachand’, several other aircraft including Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Sukhoi, Mig-29, Jaguar, Rafale, IL-76, C-130J and Hawk will be part of the fly-past.
Among helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, Chinook, Apache and Mi-17 will be part of the aerial display.
The fly-past will start with the display of ‘Aakash Ganga’ team of paratroopers in an AN-32 aircraft. Mi 17 V5 choppers will showcase a fire fighting operation using a ‘bambi bucket’ while Mi17 IV helicopters will also perform helo casting.
US-made Chinook choppers, which are used for transporting troops, artillery etc will depict Bhim formation. Rafale, Jaguar, Tejas and Mirage 2000 will fly in ‘Sekhon’ formation. This formation is dedicated to the IAF officer and Param Vir Chakra recipient, late Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon.
The spectacular ‘Ensign’ formation comprising three Mi-17 V5 helicopters will be flypast upon the arrival of Chief Guest President Murmu. The Globe formation will comprise a C-17 heavylift aircraft and nine Hawk- 132 jets trained from the Surya Kiran display team, informed officials.
Another formation of Eklavya will comprise Mi-35 aircraft in lead with two Apache and ALH Mk IV helicopters while the “Big Boy” formation will consist of an IL-76 and two AN-32 aircraft.
IAF’s vintage aircraft Harvard and Dakota will also make an appearance in the air show. The Surya Kiran team comprising nine Hawk and Sarang helicopter display team comprising four Dhruv choppers will also perform.
There will also be Vajraang formation comprising C-130 J and Sukhoi-30 and Netra formation by airborne early warning and control aircraft and Sukhoi-30 and Mig 29 fighter jets.
Tight security arrangements have been made ahead of the Air Force day celebrations.