News for 'fighter-pilot'

Shubhanshu Shukla conferred Ashoka Chakra award for space mission

Shubhanshu Shukla conferred Ashoka Chakra award for space mission

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Group Captain Shukla was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 2006.

ISS pioneer Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

ISS pioneer Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. The award recognizes his contributions to the Axiom-4 mission and India's advancements in human space exploration.

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

For the first time, there will be an Indian connection to a crewed Moon mission.

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.

Second Peacetime Incident Involving Tejas

Second Peacetime Incident Involving Tejas

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

This is the fourth peacetime crash of an IAF jet in 2025 so far.

I Am MiG-21. I Ruled The Indian Skies

I Am MiG-21. I Ruled The Indian Skies

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Even as the years roll on, I know this: Whenever the history of the Indian Air Force is written, my name will always soar.

IAF's vintage aircraft in flypast on Air Force Day

IAF's vintage aircraft in flypast on Air Force Day

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also decided to bring back another vintage symbol of the IAF, the 1967 Ford Saloon car, for the Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon Air Base, Ghaziabad.

MiG-21 flies through Indian skies for last time

MiG-21 flies through Indian skies for last time

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, the the backbone of the Indian Air Force's combat fleet for more than six decades, streaked through Indian skies for the last time on Friday -- its final adieu edged in history and many a remembrance.

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.

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).

Bollywood shoot marks MiG-21's final flight

Bollywood shoot marks MiG-21's final flight

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The Indian Air Force's MiG-21 fighter jets made their last operational flights at the Nal Air Force Station in Bikaner, which doubled as a set for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film 'Love And War'. The moment marked the jet's last operational flight ahead of its retirement next month.

'Dead Or Alive, Not A Single Man Will Turn Back'

'Dead Or Alive, Not A Single Man Will Turn Back'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

10 Heroes of the 1965 War which ended on September 23 60 years ago.

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.

9 IAF officers get Vir Chakra for Operation Sindoor

9 IAF officers get Vir Chakra for Operation Sindoor

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

As festivities for Independence Day begin, the Centre on Thursday awarded Vir Chakra to nine Indian Air Force officers for their brave contributions in the service of the nation during Operation Sindoor.

Induction of women fighter pilots into IAF made permanent

Induction of women fighter pilots into IAF made permanent

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The defence ministry has decided to convert the experimental scheme for induction of women fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force into a permanent one.

Beyond the fighter pilot glamour

Beyond the fighter pilot glamour

Rediff.com27 Oct 2015

'Why have we focused mainly on the question of women becoming fighter pilots? Why have women never asked for induction as Airwomen, Security Guards or Enrolled Non-Combatants? Is it that these jobs at lower levels demand far greater hardships without being glamorous?' asks Air Marshal P V Athawale (retd).

Indian Military's Awesome 3

Indian Military's Awesome 3

Rediff.com28 May 2025

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Field Marshal K M Cariappa Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh The three highest-ranking military heroes of the Indian Armed Forces. They were the rarest of the rare. The bravest of the brave.

SEE: Warm hugs as Shuks, 3 others enter space station

SEE: Warm hugs as Shuks, 3 others enter space station

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts on Thursday reached the International Space Station as the Dragon spacecraft docked with the orbital laboratory.

'Nowhere In The AAIB's Mandate Is The Apportioning Of Blame'

'Nowhere In The AAIB's Mandate Is The Apportioning Of Blame'

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

'The AAIB will collect every single retrievable piece of the aircraft and transport it to a secure location -- usually a large hangar capable of housing a Boeing 787.' 'The entire aircraft will be laid out, each part marked and tagged, and practically rebuilt like a jigsaw puzzle.'

India's first woman fighter pilot participates in R-Day parade

India's first woman fighter pilot participates in R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

Kanth joined the fighter squadron in November 2017 and flew the first solo on MiG-21 Bison in March 2018. She is currently posted at a fighter base in the western sector.

If women can fly Rafale , why...? SC poser to govt, Army

If women can fly Rafale , why...? SC poser to govt, Army

Rediff.com14 May 2025

If a woman can fly Rafale fighter jet in the Indian Air Force, then why are fewer women officers in gender neutral posts of judge advocate general (legal) branch of the Army, the Supreme Court wondered recently and questioned the Centre's rationale on a 50-50 selection criterion.

'Pakistan's Retaliation Will Invite More Indian Attacks'

'Pakistan's Retaliation Will Invite More Indian Attacks'

Rediff.com9 May 2025

'The Pakistani State has to realise that the pigeons have come home to roost.'

He's a good child... died like a brave soldier': Lt Vinay Narwal's father

He's a good child... died like a brave soldier': Lt Vinay Narwal's father

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

Lt. Vinay Narwal, an Indian Navy officer, was killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, while on his honeymoon. His family, friends, and political leaders mourned his loss, describing him as a brave soldier and a promising young man. The attack sparked widespread condemnation and calls for retribution.

Aero India: Army, IAF chiefs take sortie in Tejas

Aero India: Army, IAF chiefs take sortie in Tejas

Rediff.com9 Feb 2025

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday set the tone for the grand Aero India-2025 by flying in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in Bengaluru at Yelahanka based Air Force Station.

IAF makes history; first 3 women fighter pilots get wings

IAF makes history; first 3 women fighter pilots get wings

Rediff.com18 Jun 2016

Batting for gender parity in the armed forces, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was chief guest at the combined graduation ceremony at Air Force Academy, Dundigal on the city outskirts, termed the event as a "milestone" as it also the first time that women have been given a combat role.

Meet India's first three women fighter pilots

Meet India's first three women fighter pilots

Rediff.com9 Mar 2016

Avani Chaturvedi, Mohana Singh and Bhawana Kanth will shortly enter the history books by being the first three women cadets to be cleared to fly fighter aircraft in India.

'Abhinandan is a typically aggressive fighter pilot'

'Abhinandan is a typically aggressive fighter pilot'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2019

'Wing Commander Abhinandan would not have even worried if he was going to cross the LoC or not because he was not going to let go of a shot.'

Mohana Singh, 1st woman fighter pilot to fly Hawk jet

Mohana Singh, 1st woman fighter pilot to fly Hawk jet

Rediff.com1 Jun 2019

She has a total of over 500 hours of incident-free flying, of which 380 hours are on the Hawk Mk 132 jet.

Meet India's first 3 women fighter pilots

Meet India's first 3 women fighter pilots

Rediff.com17 Jun 2016

The Indian Air Force is set to make history on June 18 when the first three women fighter pilots will be formally commissioned into the force.

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.

ISRO prefers women fighter pilots for Gaganyaan mission, says Somanath

ISRO prefers women fighter pilots for Gaganyaan mission, says Somanath

Rediff.com22 Oct 2023

His statement came a day after the ISRO successfully launched its TV-D1 test vehicle ahead of the human space flight mission Gaganyaan.

She is 1st Indian woman fighter pilot to undertake missions by day

She is 1st Indian woman fighter pilot to undertake missions by day

Rediff.com22 May 2019

Flt Lt Kanth who is from the first batch of woman fighter pilots of the IAF joined the fighter squadron in November 2017.

The Scotsman Who Loves India

The Scotsman Who Loves India

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

'You have to separate the concept of India as a nation State which is very young and the Upanishadic wisdom which is timeless.'

The Scotsman Who Knows India Better Than Many Of Us

The Scotsman Who Knows India Better Than Many Of Us

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Bill Aitken came to India nearly 60 years ago. He never returned. An Indian citizen since 1972, he tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih how India changed his life forever.

When a fighter pilot prepares to fly...

When a fighter pilot prepares to fly...

Rediff.com11 Nov 2021

What does a fighter pilot feel as he takes off and lands his battle-ready aircraft? Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) takes you through those emotions.

On June 18, India will see its first batch of female fighter pilots

On June 18, India will see its first batch of female fighter pilots

Rediff.com8 Mar 2016

With the globe marking International Women's Day on Tuesday, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha announced that the nation will see its first batch of female fighter pilots on June 18.

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.

PICS: Pakistan's only WAR-READY female fighter pilot

PICS: Pakistan's only WAR-READY female fighter pilot

Rediff.com14 Jun 2013

Every day, Ayesha Farooq, a 26-year-old woman, dons her olive green scarf to cover her hair and puts on a combat helmet to cover her hair -- for she is the first female war-ready fighter pilot in the all-male Pakistani air force.

Soon, IAF will have women fighter pilots

Soon, IAF will have women fighter pilots

Rediff.com8 Oct 2015

Women pilots will soon fly fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said on Thursday.

Cancer-stricken boy fulfils dream of becoming a fighter pilot

Cancer-stricken boy fulfils dream of becoming a fighter pilot

Rediff.com14 Nov 2014

For Chandan, Thursday is going to be a day he will never forget. On the occasion of his 14th birthday, he got a gift of a lifetime when he became an Indian Air Force fighter pilot for a day.