News for 'Eastern Air Command'

Is China Itching For War?

Is China Itching For War?

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

The Chinese People's Liberation Army's eastern theatre command continued its military drills around Taiwan for a second consecutive day on December 30, involving naval, air and ground forces in what it described as a demonstration of joint operational and blockade capabilities.

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

In a culture where children take up the profession of their father, her becoming a politician was seen as natural and acceptable.

When One Airline -- Indigo -- Rules the Air

When One Airline -- Indigo -- Rules the Air

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

India's duopoly in the domestic skies -- where IndiGo and Air India collectively control over 90 per cent of the market -- is highly skewed, leaving very little room for new players

Remembering 1971 In The Skies Of The East

Remembering 1971 In The Skies Of The East

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Returning to the Brahmaputra for Vijay Diwas was not just a journey across geography, but across memory of war, service, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between the Indian Air Force and the north east, asserts Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Japan's High-Stakes Gamble In the Indo-Pacific

Japan's High-Stakes Gamble In the Indo-Pacific

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

In the Indo-Pacific's new era -- where perception shapes reality faster than treaties -- the real entrapment is not of China or the United States. It is the test Japan has set for itself -- and whether partners like India, acting as balancers rather than accelerants, can help ensure that the story ends in stability, points out Varun Arya.

'China could suffer up to 100,000 casualties in failed Taiwan invasion'

'China could suffer up to 100,000 casualties in failed Taiwan invasion'

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The report evaluates the likely military, strategic and international fallout for China under scenarios ranging from a "major war" to a "minor conflict" with Taiwan, Focus Taiwan said.

IAF formally inducts Rafale into 101 Squadron of Eastern Command

IAF formally inducts Rafale into 101 Squadron of Eastern Command

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

The 101 Squadron is the second IAF squadron to be equipped with the Rafale fighter jets. In September last year, the Rafale aircraft were inducted into the 17 'Golden Arrows' Squadron.

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh is new chief of air staff

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh is new chief of air staff

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff.

US reveals first-ever drone strike inside Venezuela

US reveals first-ever drone strike inside Venezuela

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

The United States carried out a covert drone strike on a port facility along Venezuela's coastline earlier this month, in what is believed to be the first known American attack on a target inside Venezuelan territory, CNN reported.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh takes over as IAF chief

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh takes over as IAF chief

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, an accomplished fighter pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flying experience, on Monday assumed charge as new chief of the Indian Air Force, succeeding incumbent Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari.

Why Is Air Marshal Patnaik In Arunachal Pradesh?

Why Is Air Marshal Patnaik In Arunachal Pradesh?

Rediff.com7 Jul 2022

Eastern Air Commander Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik visited the Vijaynagar Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh to review operational preparedness and interacted with Indian Army troops deployed in the theatre.

Cherish This Photograph For Eternity

Cherish This Photograph For Eternity

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

According to recent media reports, a portrait capturing what one general called India's greatest military achievement in 1,000 years -- Pakistan's surrender on December 16, 1971 -- has been removed from the army chief's lounge and been replaced by another painting.

Arunachal integral part of India: MEA on Shanghai airport detention

Arunachal integral part of India: MEA on Shanghai airport detention

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

India has rejected China's response to the detention of an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh at the Shanghai airport, asserting that the border state is an integral part of the country. The incident involved Pema Wang Thongdok, who was detained for 18 hours for holding an Indian passport.

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

Mrs Gandhi's power ebbed and peaked with the times. Mr Modi's has almost been constant, barring the few months of hard dip after the 240 seats of 2024, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Sindoor: Pakistan Air Force Was No Match For IAF

Sindoor: Pakistan Air Force Was No Match For IAF

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

'Operation Sindoor had three objectives.' 'One, destroy the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters at Muridke and the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Bahawalpur.' 'Second, deter and defend any counterstrike by Pakistan.' 'And third, if they persist, demonstrably deliver counterforce punishment.' 'All of the three boxes, the IAF checked,' points out Shekhar Gupta.

153 dead as Ditwah leaves trail of destruction in Lanka; rain pounds TN

153 dead as Ditwah leaves trail of destruction in Lanka; rain pounds TN

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

Cyclone Ditwah exits Sri Lanka after causing widespread destruction and over 120 deaths, heading towards the Indian coast. Heavy rains and high winds are expected to continue.

'If IAF Had Been Used During 1962 War...'

'If IAF Had Been Used During 1962 War...'

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan says the Indian Air Force would have slowed the Chinese offensive considerably during the 1962 War.

China punishes 9 military officials for graft, top general under probe

China punishes 9 military officials for graft, top general under probe

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

China's second-ranked general, He Weidong, is under investigation for corruption, along with nine other senior military officers punished for discipline violations and work-related crimes. This crackdown comes ahead of a key Communist Party conclave.

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan's tenure extended till May next year

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan's tenure extended till May next year

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

The government has extended the tenure of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan up to May next year.

Farewell MiG-21. Flying Legend, IAF's Soul

Farewell MiG-21. Flying Legend, IAF's Soul

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The MiG-21's sharp silhouette and supersonic roar will live on in the memories of those who flew it, those who maintained it, and those who watched it streak across the sky as a symbol of India's strength, asserts IAF veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Former IAF vice chief who reactivated Lakakh's DBO airstrip dies

Former IAF vice chief who reactivated Lakakh's DBO airstrip dies

Rediff.com30 Oct 2023

Former vice chief of Indian Air Force Air Marshal P K Barbora (retd), known to be an outstanding air warrior who was instrumental in reactivation of the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) air strip in eastern Ladakh, passed away at a military hospital in New Delhi on Monday. He was 72.

Launch Of Stealth Frigates: Navy Makes History

Launch Of Stealth Frigates: Navy Makes History

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

INS Udaygiri and INS Himagiri marks the first occasion when two frontline surface combatants constructed at two different shipyards were commissioned simultaneously.

How Army Is Preparing For Future Wars

How Army Is Preparing For Future Wars

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

The Indian Army's broader reorganisation is inevitable as India's military doctrine adapts to the demands of the modern battlefield.

Poland shoots down Russian drones after 'huge number' violated airspace

Poland shoots down Russian drones after 'huge number' violated airspace

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that the country's airspace had been violated by "a huge number of Russian drones" which were shot down by its military.

Major reshuffle in IAF top brass; new vice chief announced

Major reshuffle in IAF top brass; new vice chief announced

Rediff.com24 Sep 2021

With the announcement of the new Air Force chief, a massive reshuffle is taking place in the service as new vice chief and two Commanders-in-Chief have been announced on Friday.

Rawat outlines plan to merge 17 single service commands into 4

Rawat outlines plan to merge 17 single service commands into 4

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

The first joint theatre command would be responsible for the border against Pakistan in what the military refers to as the "western theatre"; while a second command -- the northern theatre command -- would be responsible for the border with China. A third, navy-heavy theatre, called the "maritime command" will be responsible for the security of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR); and an island command, already functional and called the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), would project power into the eastern Indian Ocean.

India-Australia Sign Air-To-Air Refuelling Pact

India-Australia Sign Air-To-Air Refuelling Pact

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

'India is a top-tier security partner for Australia and we continue to prioritise practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability.'

India's Two Front War Challenge

India's Two Front War Challenge

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The Chinese see no need to fight directly. They have an able and willing proxy in Pakistan, points out Shekhar Gupta.

When A PM Miraculously Escaped Air Crash

When A PM Miraculously Escaped Air Crash

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

Wing Commander Raveendran and flight steward Sargeant Iyer, though shaken and injured, managed to open the rear door of the aircraft and shouted for Prime Minister Morarji Desai and the passengers in the forward cabin to exit in haste since they suspected that fire would engulf the aircraft.

Army commanders deliberate on eastern Ladakh situation

Army commanders deliberate on eastern Ladakh situation

Rediff.com22 Jun 2020

In his initial remarks, Army Chief General M M Naravane briefed the commanders about the overall situation following which detailed discussions on the matter took place, the sources said.

IAF to hold mega exercise near LAC; Army chief reviews situation

IAF to hold mega exercise near LAC; Army chief reviews situation

Rediff.com21 Jan 2023

The Indian Air Force will carry out a mega exercise covering the Northeastern region early next month to check its combat readiness, amid a fresh spike in tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.

Army commanders to meet in Sikkim forward area on Thursday

Army commanders to meet in Sikkim forward area on Thursday

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The commanders' conclave in a forward area in Sikkim, which is close to the Line of Actual Control, comes amid the lingering border row in eastern Ladakh.

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

Trump has played throughout his career as a deal-maker who could deliver where others could not, and Ukraine represents the ultimate test of that image, notes Manish Dabhade.

Why Army chief visited the Eastern Command

Why Army chief visited the Eastern Command

Rediff.com25 Jan 2017

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday made his first visit to the Eastern Command after taking over the office and also went to the forward areas at the international borders with China.

Amid China tension, IAF chief visits forward areas in Eastern Ladakh

Amid China tension, IAF chief visits forward areas in Eastern Ladakh

Rediff.com16 Oct 2021

Amid tensions over build-up by the Chinese across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh and reluctance to resolve remaining issues between the two countries, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is visiting forward areas in Ladakh to review the operational preparedness of troops deployed there.

India, US to stage air exercise in November

India, US to stage air exercise in November

Rediff.com5 Sep 2005

The US would deploy its F-16s and other sophisticated combat aircraft for the exercise christened 'Cope India'

India's Shubhanshu Shukla set to fly to ISS on June 25

India's Shubhanshu Shukla set to fly to ISS on June 25

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

The mission was originally scheduled for lift-off on May 29 but was put off multiple times when engineers detected a liquid oxygen leak in the boosters of the Falcon-9 rocket and NASA also detected leaks in the ageing Russian module of the ISS.

IAF chief reviews operational preparedness along LAC

IAF chief reviews operational preparedness along LAC

Rediff.com4 Sep 2020

Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria asked the air warriors to maintain a very high-level of alertness considering the evolving situation in Pangong lake region in eastern Ladakh following China's unsuccessful attempts to occupy certain strategic points in the area, the officials said on Thursday.

International standard archery range in IAF

International standard archery range in IAF

Rediff.com3 May 2011

In a bid to promote archery among its ranks and groom the unharnessed talent within the region, the Eastern Air Command has come up with the first Centre of Excellence for the sport in IAF.

IAF begins 2-day exercise in Northeast amid fresh border tension with China

IAF begins 2-day exercise in Northeast amid fresh border tension with China

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

The two-day mega exercise is involving almost all its frontline fighter jets and other assets deployed in the region, people familiar with the drill said.