News for 'Squadron Base of the Air Force'

2 Navy jets collide mid-air during air show in US

2 Navy jets collide mid-air during air show in US

Rediff.com18 May 2026

Two US Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided mid-air during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, with all four crew members ejecting safely before the aircraft crashed.

2 officers among 5 IAF personnel killed as AN-32 crashes in Assam

2 officers among 5 IAF personnel killed as AN-32 crashes in Assam

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Five Indian Air Force personnel, including two officers, were killed when their Russian-origin Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing at Jorhat in Assam on Saturday. The co-pilot sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.

IAF chief flies Tejas as air force inducts 2nd LCA squadron

IAF chief flies Tejas as air force inducts 2nd LCA squadron

Rediff.com27 May 2020

The No 18 Squadron, formed in 1965 with the motto "Teevra aur Nirbhaya" meaning "Swift and Fearless," was earlier flying MiG 27 aircraft.

Iran War Offers India Key Lessons

Iran War Offers India Key Lessons

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

A lesson for India is to clearly define objectives beforehand, so that the adversary or other parties do not attempt to mitigate them midway.

Iran claims downing of US A-10 aircraft after F-35 and F-15E

Iran claims downing of US A-10 aircraft after F-35 and F-15E

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

The Iranian military has asserted that its forces successfully targeted and downed a US A-10 aircraft, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

How the air force base confronts loss

How the air force base confronts loss

Rediff.com10 Dec 2021

To ensure the morale of the pilots does not suffer, flying activity continues without a pause. Pilots take to the sky like they would on any other day.

Operation Sindoor pilot among 2 killed in Su-30 crash in Assam

Operation Sindoor pilot among 2 killed in Su-30 crash in Assam

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

An Indian Air Force Su-30 MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam during a training mission, prompting an immediate search operation for the missing pilots.

Harbhajan rescued by Indian Air Force

Harbhajan rescued by Indian Air Force

Rediff.com19 Jun 2013

India cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who was stranded in Joshimath due to incessant rains while on a pilgrimage, was rescued and taken to safety by the Indian Air Force.

Putin: Sanctions threat on India will 'boomerang' under Modi

Putin: Sanctions threat on India will 'boomerang' under Modi

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that any attempts to undermine India's sovereignty through 'threats of sanctions' would 'boomerang immediately' under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, highlighting India's sovereign decision-making and strong national interests.

Navy strengthens anti-submarine arm with second MH-60R squadron

Navy strengthens anti-submarine arm with second MH-60R squadron

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The Indian Navy commissioned its second squadron of MH-60R (Romeo) anti-submarine helicopters, INAS 335 'Ospreys', at INS Hansa naval base. The commissioning ceremony was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, who emphasized the importance of strengthening maritime security.

India to buy 114 Rafale jets in largest-ever arms push

India to buy 114 Rafale jets in largest-ever arms push

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The Indian Defence Ministry has approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, a significant step towards bolstering the Indian Air Force's combat capabilities. The decision comes ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India.

Op Sindoor pilot killed in Su-30 MKI crash; father recalls last call

Op Sindoor pilot killed in Su-30 MKI crash; father recalls last call

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, an Indian Air Force pilot, tragically died in a Su-30 MKI fighter jet crash in Assam, leaving behind a grieving family and a legacy of dedication to his country.

'We're in war': Trump says downing of US jet not to affect Iran talks

'We're in war': Trump says downing of US jet not to affect Iran talks

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

US President Donald Trump has asserted that the destruction of an American military aircraft will have no bearing on diplomatic discussions with Iran, according to a report by NBC News.

US crew member rescued after Iran F-15E downing; search on for 2nd airman

US crew member rescued after Iran F-15E downing; search on for 2nd airman

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

US forces have launched search and rescue efforts for a US fighter jet, which several news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and CNN, said had been shot down over Iran.

SEE: President Murmu takes a sortie in Rafale

SEE: President Murmu takes a sortie in Rafale

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Air Force Station in Ambala. This follows a previous sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft in April 2023.

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

The British government has called for a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation of conflict in the Middle East following joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, emphasizing the safety of UK nationals and the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

President Murmu To Take Rafale Sortie Today

President Murmu To Take Rafale Sortie Today

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

President Droupadi Murmu will take a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet in Ambala, Haryana.

Iran rejects US proposal for 48-hour ceasefire as tension escalates

Iran rejects US proposal for 48-hour ceasefire as tension escalates

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

Iran has formally turned down a proposal from the United States for a 48-hour ceasefire, according to Al Jazeera, citing reports from the semi-official Fars news agency.

Starmer Calls for Iran Settlement, Sends More Jets to West Asia

Starmer Calls for Iran Settlement, Sends More Jets to West Asia

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for a negotiated settlement with Iran and deployed additional fighter jets to West Asia to strengthen the UK's defensive operations.

On Air Force Day, IAF chief announces new weapon system branch

On Air Force Day, IAF chief announces new weapon system branch

Rediff.com8 Oct 2022

This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being created, Chaudhari said in his speech on the occasion of 90th anniversary celebrations of the IAF.

Antony to inaugurate Su-30 squadron at Thanjavur air base

Antony to inaugurate Su-30 squadron at Thanjavur air base

Rediff.com26 May 2013

Defence Minister A K Antony will on Monday inaugurate an airbase in Thanjavur to house squadron of IAFs lethal Su-30 MKI combat aircraft, making it the first fighter squadron in south India that will help maintain vigil over the Indian Ocean region.

IAF to finally retire MiG-21 fighter jets after 60 yrs

IAF to finally retire MiG-21 fighter jets after 60 yrs

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

The Indian Air Force is set to retire its fleet of MiG-21 fighter jets at a decommissioning event in Chandigarh. The event will mark the end of an era for the aircraft that has been a key part of the IAF's combat fleet for over six decades.

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The 'rescue' operation occurred within kilometres of Iran's underground tunnel complex at Isfahan, assessed by the IAEA and US intelligence as holding a substantial portion of the country's 60 per cent enriched uranium stockpile. Retired senior US military officers have highlighted that the mission's footprint -- hundreds of special operators, multiple heavy-lift aircraft deep inside Iran -- appears outsized for recovering a single airman. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

HAL Boosts Tejas as MiG-21 Era Ends

HAL Boosts Tejas as MiG-21 Era Ends

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

HAL aims to raise output from the current ceiling of 24 aircraft a year to 30 by the end of 2027

The Forgotten Hero of the Indian Air Force

The Forgotten Hero of the Indian Air Force

Rediff.com19 May 2021

Did Vinod Sehgal die in Tsangdgar or was he taken PoW to Tibet or China? Why has the IAF kept so quiet for all these years, asks Claude Arpi.

US launches Operation Hawkeye in Syria

US launches Operation Hawkeye in Syria

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that in response to Islamic State's killing of two Americans in Syria, the US retaliated by striking the nation.

IAF carries out 'Exercise Aakraman' wth Rafales, Su-30s in central sector

IAF carries out 'Exercise Aakraman' wth Rafales, Su-30s in central sector

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

The exercise is taking place at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan have gone up after the Pahalgam attack.

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.

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).

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.

With Rafales in air, Indian security agencies ensured safety of Hasina's jet

With Rafales in air, Indian security agencies ensured safety of Hasina's jet

Rediff.com6 Aug 2024

The aircraft was allowed to move inside India as the air defence personnel knew who was inside the plane, they said.

Ahead of Rafale's arrival, security tightened near Ambala air base

Ahead of Rafale's arrival, security tightened near Ambala air base

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

The Ambala district administration also prohibited people from flying private drones within the three-km radius of the air base.

Meet the first woman fighter pilot in LCA Tejas fleet

Meet the first woman fighter pilot in LCA Tejas fleet

Rediff.com17 Sep 2024

Up until recently, she was flying the MiG-21s and was recently posted to the LCA squadron deployed in Naliya air base in the Gujarat sector along the border with Pakistan.

India holds key defence talks with Russia; eyes more S-400, gets Su-57 offer

India holds key defence talks with Russia; eyes more S-400, gets Su-57 offer

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

India and Russia are set to expand their defence cooperation, with India expressing interest in procuring additional S-400 missile systems. Discussions took place ahead of the India-Russia annual summit.

IAF's second Rafale squadron to get operational by July 26

IAF's second Rafale squadron to get operational by July 26

Rediff.com13 Jul 2021

The Rafale aircraft which have already arrived in Ambala would start ferrying to the Hashimara air base in next few days and the squadron would get operational by July 26, government sources told ANI in New Delhi.

IAF set to induct second squadron of Rafale in April

IAF set to induct second squadron of Rafale in April

Rediff.com11 Mar 2021

The sources said the second Rafale squadron being raised at the next main operating base at Hasimara in mid-April this year. India is expected to get more Rafale jets from France in the next couple of months.

IAF resurrects 'Golden Arrows' squadron to fly first batch of Rafale

IAF resurrects 'Golden Arrows' squadron to fly first batch of Rafale

Rediff.com10 Sep 2019

The 17 squadron, which operated from Bhatinda air base, was disbanded in 2016 after the IAF started gradual phasing out of Russian-origin MIG-21 jets. It was formed in 1951 and initially flew de Havilland Vampire F Mk 52 fighters.

WHOOSH! Watch The Sukhois In Action

WHOOSH! Watch The Sukhois In Action

Rediff.com2 Oct 2024

The Indian Air Force is set to conduct a mega airshow on Marina Beach in Chennai on the occasion of the 92nd Air Force Day on October 6.

IAF's 'Golden Arrows' squadron to be revived for Rafale

IAF's 'Golden Arrows' squadron to be revived for Rafale

Rediff.com9 Sep 2019

The squadron, which operated from Bhatinda air base, was disbanded in 2016 after the IAF started gradual phasing out of Russian-origin Mig 21 jets.

Modi's message in a battle: At Adampur, with S-400 in backdrop

Modi's message in a battle: At Adampur, with S-400 in backdrop

Rediff.com13 May 2025

T, which Pakistan claimed to have destroyed along with S-400 missile launchers. India had rubbished the claims and TV cameras following Modi corroborated that.