News for 'Indian Air Force Hunter'

PIX: Meet NAK Browne, India's new air force chief

PIX: Meet NAK Browne, India's new air force chief

Rediff.com1 Aug 2011

Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne has taken over as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff from Air Chief Marshal PV Naik, who retires after 42 years of illustrious service.

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

Rediff.com24 Aug 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's second astronaut, shares his journey from a shy child hearing stories of Rakesh Sharma to becoming part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. He emphasizes the role of the IAF in his transformation and inspires India's youth to explore space.

Air Marshal Browne takes charge of Western Air Com

Air Marshal Browne takes charge of Western Air Com

Rediff.com1 Jun 2009

Air Marshal N A K Browne, a veteran fighter pilot, took over the charge of Western Air Command, the sword arm of the Indian Air Force on Monday.

India inks $4bn deal with US for 31 Predator drones

India inks $4bn deal with US for 31 Predator drones

Rediff.com15 Oct 2024

India is acquiring the drones primarily to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the contested frontier with China.

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The MiG-21 episode demonstrates that procurement is always strategic.
Choices about what aircraft to acquire, who builds them, who supplies the spares, who trains the pilots and technicians are decisions with political consequences lasting for decades.

1971 War: How Mukti Joddhas Saved An IAF Pilot

1971 War: How Mukti Joddhas Saved An IAF Pilot

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Squadron Leader Kanwal Deep Mehra's daredevilry during the 1971 War brought down a Pakistani F-86 Sabre. But he had to bail out of his plane, was badly injured. Then a fierce band of armed guerillas evacuated him to safety at great risk to their lives.

AN-32: Remains of 13 air warriors retrieved

AN-32: Remains of 13 air warriors retrieved

Rediff.com20 Jun 2019

The AN-32 aircraft went missing on June 3 after taking off from Assam's Jorhat. The aircraft was headed for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh when it lost contact with ground authorities around 1 pm.

A 1971 War Hero Flies Into The Ages

A 1971 War Hero Flies Into The Ages

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Wing Commander Pratap Marathe's story is one of dedication, bravery, and humour, a shining example of the spirit of the Indian Air Force. Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) salutes Wing Commander Marathe who passed into the ages last week.

What's holding up India's $3 billion Predator drone deal with US?

What's holding up India's $3 billion Predator drone deal with US?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2023

India is procuring the long-endurance 'hunter-killer' drones to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the Line of Actual Control with China.

40 Years Of Operation Meghdoot!

40 Years Of Operation Meghdoot!

Rediff.com15 Apr 2024

Operation Meghdoot was launched on April 13, 1984, when the Indian Army and IAF advanced to the Siachen Glacier to secure the heights dominating the northern Ladakh region

From Russia With Love

From Russia With Love

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Red Square and VDNKh easily rank among the most striking places I've visited -- both for their historical significance and architectural splendour.
My admiration for Russian culture, vision and ambition grew with every step as I clocked the miles, Nitin Sathe tells us after a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg.

Purchase of 30 MQ-9B drones okayed, to be announced after Modi-Biden talks

Purchase of 30 MQ-9B drones okayed, to be announced after Modi-Biden talks

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

The defence ministry on Thursday accorded its approval to procure 30 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the frontier with China, people familiar with the development said.

IAF's Sukhoi, Mirage aircraft crash in MP; 1 pilot killed

IAF's Sukhoi, Mirage aircraft crash in MP; 1 pilot killed

Rediff.com28 Jan 2023

Videos from the scene, shot by locals in Morena, showed debris of the aircraft on the ground.

IAF showcases Rafale, Sukhoi on 89th foundation day

IAF showcases Rafale, Sukhoi on 89th foundation day

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Celebrating its 89th anniversary, the Indian Air Force on Friday put up a dazzling show with 75 aircraft, drawn from its vintage and modern fleet, performing skilful manoeuvres also marking the platinum jubilee year of India's Independence.

Senior IAF officer dies in Jaguar crash in Gujarat

Senior IAF officer dies in Jaguar crash in Gujarat

Rediff.com5 Jun 2018

A Court of Inquiry into the incident has been ordered.

US okays sale of 31 Predator drones to India in $4-bn deal

US okays sale of 31 Predator drones to India in $4-bn deal

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

The Agency said it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Thursday.

After arrival of Rafales, Rajnath sends veiled warning to China

After arrival of Rafales, Rajnath sends veiled warning to China

Rediff.com29 Jul 2020

'Anyone who should be worried about or critical about this new capability of the Indian Air Force, it should be those who want to threaten our territorial integrity'

On a wing and a prayer

On a wing and a prayer

Rediff.com26 Oct 2005

For Pakistan, Siachen Is A Debacle

For Pakistan, Siachen Is A Debacle

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

For India, it is a symbol of will and a successful feat of arms.

'I flew every day of the war'

'I flew every day of the war'

Rediff.com8 Oct 2015

An old fighter pilot remembers the best days of his life.

Indian Navy to enhance surveillance capability, acquire new-age tech

Indian Navy to enhance surveillance capability, acquire new-age tech

Rediff.com21 Nov 2021

The Indian Navy plans to acquire a sizeable number of unmanned aerial and underwater platforms in the next few years to significantly ramp up its surveillance capability in the backdrop of China's increasing forays into the Indian Ocean region, people familiar with the development said on Sunday.

10 Women Achievers You Must Watch On OTT

10 Women Achievers You Must Watch On OTT

Rediff.com26 Oct 2023

Kangana Ranaut plays an Air Force pilot in Tejas, joining an increasing list of films and shows centered around women playing significant roles in their careers.

CATS: India's Secret Weapon

CATS: India's Secret Weapon

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

Burned by the shooting down of a MiG-21 aircraft and the capture of its pilot after a dogfight over the India-Pakistan border in February 2019, CATS eliminates the need to send pilots into enemy air space.

'When we fight a war we forget the danger'

'When we fight a war we forget the danger'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2017

'The Indian Air Force wanted to fight. My squadron leaders and flight lieutenants, all of us were eager to fight. Unless they are keen I can't have confidence.' Marshal of the Air Force, the legendary Arjan Singh, on the 1965 War.

Does IAF need this self-congratulatory nonsense?

Does IAF need this self-congratulatory nonsense?

Rediff.com2 Sep 2014

'As the IAF kicks off another round of myth-making -- launching a year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan war -- it is worth remembering how little there was to celebrate in those September days when the underdog PAF got the better of the IAF in raid after raid, dogfight after dogfight.'

India in advanced stage talks with US to procure MQ-9B drones for LAC vigil

India in advanced stage talks with US to procure MQ-9B drones for LAC vigil

Rediff.com21 Aug 2022

The sources said the talks are focused on sorting out certain issues relating to cost component, weapons package and technology sharing.

Indian Navy acquires new strike ability

Indian Navy acquires new strike ability

Rediff.com18 May 2019

Two navy destroyers, the INS Kochi and INS Chennai, fired MR-SAMs simultaneously at two simulated incoming missiles.

'We could make mincemeat of the Pakistanis'

'We could make mincemeat of the Pakistanis'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2023

'My adrenalin kicked in and the happiness returned! It was time to go in for the kill again.' IAF Veterans Group Captain Dilip Kumar Dass tells Air Commodore Nitin Sathe about how the IAF decimated tanks in the famous Battle of Longewala.

The Legend Of Squadron Leader Tubby Devayya

The Legend Of Squadron Leader Tubby Devayya

Rediff.com14 Aug 2023

Today, he lies in an unknown grave in a corner of a farmer's field in Pakistan, having given his all for his country. A riveting excerpt from Ian Cardozo's Beyond Fear: True Stories on Life in the Indian Armed Forces.

Navy bids farewell to its iconic submarine hunter TU-142

Navy bids farewell to its iconic submarine hunter TU-142

Rediff.com30 Mar 2017

Now the the job of searching out and destroying enemy submarines in the waters off India's coast will fall to the navy's new fleet of a dozen Boeing P-8I aircraft, reports Ajai Shukla.

The Hero of the Battle of Longewala

The Hero of the Battle of Longewala

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, the second highest medal for gallantry for leading a small company of men against a massive Pakistani attack.

Poacher Review: Hard Truths, Hard-Hitting Storytelling

Poacher Review: Hard Truths, Hard-Hitting Storytelling

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

Poacher neither minces words in condemning these self-seeking slaughterers nor leaves any stone unturned in highlighting the hard work put in by friends of the forest, notes Sukanya Verma.

How the Hindustani fauj defeated the Pakistani fauj

How the Hindustani fauj defeated the Pakistani fauj

Rediff.com23 Jan 2017

Just 21 then, a young air force officer looks back at the 1971 war, which was like a baptism by fire in the fauj.

The game is on and India is way behind

The game is on and India is way behind

Rediff.com7 Apr 2018

UAVs are an intrinsic part of today's technology driven battlefield. Indians don't seem to be taking the challenge with the degree of urgency that is required, says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

How India Won The 1971 War

How India Won The 1971 War

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

December 3, 2021 marks 50 years since the beginning of the 1971 War which ended in a decisive military victory for India and the liberation of Bangladesh. Most analysts of the 1971 War agree that the IV Corps dash across the mighty Meghna river led by the brilliant General Sagat Singh was the turning point in the war, recalls military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Why the world's top airshow disappointed me

Why the world's top airshow disappointed me

Rediff.com2 Aug 2018

'For a show that has been going on since 1948 one expected a certain standard of showcasing and showmanship, besides variety and a show of skill.' 'At the same time one felt pretty good about the standards of our own efforts -- Aero India -- at Bangalore once every four years and in business only since 1996,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd) after a visit to the Farnborough Airshow.

Are we ready to fight the wars of the future?

Are we ready to fight the wars of the future?

Rediff.com16 Mar 2018

'We must look at the entire question of military preparedness anew, taking into account the new realities,' says Vice Admiral Premvir Das (retd).

The daredevil fighter pilot who survived a Pakistani bullet

The daredevil fighter pilot who survived a Pakistani bullet

Rediff.com9 Sep 2015

'We were firing at Patton tanks that were moving towards India.' 'Fighter aircraft are the biggest menace for tanks because they come at great speed, attack from a height and their rockets are lethal.' 'The Hunter travels at 400, 420 knots. One knot is 1.6 times a km, so it was at a speed of 700, 800 km/hr.' 'You come at great speed and when you see the tanks, you pull up because attacks are always done in a dive.' 'You go up to 3,000 to 4,000 feet and then dive on to the target and let off your rockets...'

An Indian Prisoner of War escape story

An Indian Prisoner of War escape story

Rediff.com20 May 2014

Three Indian Air Force officers captured as Prisoners of War by Pakistan during the '71 War made a daring escape from a Rawalpindi jail. M P Anil Kumar recounts that heroic story.

US approves sale of anti-submarine choppers to India

US approves sale of anti-submarine choppers to India

Rediff.com3 Apr 2019

MH-60 Romeo Seahawks would add lethal capabilities of the Indian Navy, which experts say is the need of the hour given the aggressive behaviour of China in the Indian Ocean region.