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Tag: RKS Bhadauria

  • MiG-21 Bison will be phased out in a planned manner: Indian Air Force chief RKS Bhadauria

    By Express News Service
    HYDERABAD: Amidst the controversy towering over the MiG-21 Bison, following a recent crash — third in this year, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said that there is a plan to phase out the ageing fleet and substituting them with modern fighter jets.

    However, he added that these vintage MiG-21s are not “flying coffins” and in fact, every plane at the academy is fit to fly. 

    The recent crash of a MiG-21 Bison– that took life of a pilot, in Gwalior has turned the spotlight on India’s longest-serving fighter plane. Talking about it, the chief said that the planes do not become accident prone just because of their age and there can be many more reasons for the accident. However, he added that MiG-21 will be phased out in a planned way very soon. 

    The Chief who was at the Air Force Academy (AFA) Dundigal, on Saturday to mark the successful completion of pre-commissioning training of flight cadets of various branches of Indian Air Force (IAF) also briefed the media about India’s position with China.

    “It has been a year since the Galwan attack and since then we have made many strategic agreements, there has definitely been an increase in the deployment at key positions and meanwhile talks are happening on diplomatic fronts to resolve the conflict,” he said.

    Talking about the timeline of the induction of Rafale, he added that by 2022 the Rafale will be added to the Indian fleet. At the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP), which saw commissioning of 161 new officers the chief awarded ‘President’s Commission’ to the graduating officers.

    The ceremony included presentation of ‘wings’ and ‘brevets’ to the newly-commissioned officers. The IAF chief also awarded ‘wings’ to officers of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard on successful completion of their flying training at AFA.

    The event also had an aerobatic display by the famous Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, Sarang Helicopter Display Team, Pilatus PC-7 trainer and Para jumping by the Akash Ganga Team.

  • Indian Air Force undergoing monumental transformation: IAF Chief 

    By PTI
    HYDERABAD: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is undergoing a monumental transformation with rapid infusion of technologies due to rapidly evolving security challenges coupled with rising geopolitical uncertainty in the neighbourhood and beyond, IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria said on Saturday.

    Addressing a Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy here, he said, “IAF is undergoing a monumental transformation. Rapid infusion of niche technologies and combat power in every facet of our operations has never been as intense as it is now.

    “This is primarily because of the unprecedented and rapidly evolving security challenges that we face, coupled with the rising geopolitical uncertainty in our neighbourhood and beyond.”

    Noting that the last few decades have clearly established the critical role of airpower in achieving victory in any conflict, he said it is in this backdrop that IAFs ongoing capability enhancement assumes tremendous significance.

    The IAF Chief, who reviewed the parade earlier, also spoke about the crucial role played by IAF in the national fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

  • IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria leaves for France, seeks to enhance mutual cooperation

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Monday left for France, a visit billed as a “significant step” in further enhancing mutual cooperation.

    “The visit of Chief of Air Staff (CAS) from April 19-23 will enhance potential avenues for strengthening the level of interaction between the two Air Forces,” the Indian Air Force said.

    Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria is scheduled to hold talks with the senior military leadership of France and visit several operational facilities and air bases.

    “The visit of CAS will be a significant step in further enhancing mutual cooperation,” the IAF said in a statement.

    Gen Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of French Air and Space Force (FASF), visited India in February last year.

    Last week, sources had said there is a possibility of Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria flagging-off a batch of five-six Rafale jets from the Merignac airbase in the French port city of Bordeaux for India.

    Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafales, was scheduled to send six Rafale aircraft to India by the end of April.

    The arrival of the new batch of the aircraft will pave the way for the IAF to raise a second squadron of the Rafale jets.

    The new squadron will be based in Hasimara air base in West Bengal.

    The first Rafale squadron is based at the Ambala air force station.

    A squadron comprises around 18 aircraft.

    India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore.

    Dassault Aviation has delivered 14 jets to the Indian Air Force so far.

    The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29 last.

    The cooperation between Indian and the French air forces have seen gradual expansion in the last few years.

    Both the air forces have been carrying out exercise series ‘Garuda’.

  • Pakistan’s plan was brilliant, but it didn’t factor India’s air power: IAF chief on Battle of Longewala

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Recalling the decisive Battle of Longewala, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria on Thursday said the plan of armoured thrust by the Pakistan army was “brilliant” and could have changed the course of the 1971 war, but the only thing it probably forgot to factor, was India’s air power.

    The Pakistan army forgot what half a squadron of Hunter aircraft sitting in Jaisalmer could do, and that was probably their “only mistake”, he said.

    India is celebrating the 50th anniversary year of the country’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 war.

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief was speaking at the launch of a book ‘The Epic Battle of Longewala’ authored by Air Marshal (retd) Bharat Kumar at the IAF Museum at Palam.

    The dais and chairs for audience was placed centrally in an open courtyard flanked by two T-59 tanks of the Pakistan army damaged during the battle, and Hunter and Krishak and other aircraft, which played a critical role during the battle.

    “A lot has been said about the Battle of Longewala. And, the plan of armoured thrust by Pakistan army itself was brilliant in terms of the area and axis chosen, the Longewala-Jaisalmer axis, and if it had succeeded, it would have changed the course of the war on the western front and the final result,” Bhadauria said.

    “The only thing the Pakistan army probably forgot to factor, was India’s air power. And, they thought what half a squadron of Hunter aircraft sitting in Jaisalmer could do, and that was probably their only mistake,” he said.

    The IAF chief also said the Battle of Longewala brings to light a scenario where air power can bring “asymmetric results if time and place chosen correctly”.

    “On air power, over the decades, we have learned our lessons well, and graduated to a stage where it has been incorporated deep into our plan, synergy and interaction with the services,” he said.

    The IAF chief said it was important that stories of valour are documented in books and passed on to the next generations.

  • HAL, Indian Air Force get integrated portal to speed up projects while ensuring quality

    By Express News Service
    BENGALURU: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Friday operationalized a unique real-time information-sharing portal that would make the work processes of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) projects for the Indian Air Force (IAF) transparent and quicker while ensuring higher quality as per IAF’s combat requirements.

    The operationalizing of this portal, called HAL-Vayusena Inventory (HAVAI), comes just two days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally handed over the Rs 48,000 crore project for producing and delivering 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force by 2030. However, this portal would be relevant for all projects of the HAL for the IAF from here onwards.

    The proof of concept for the newly operationalized portal had been cleared for development in September 2015 by then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar under the Digital India initiative and the project had the active involvement of Air Headquarters in New Delhi and Director of IAF’s enterprise resource planning platform, Integrated Materials Management Online System (IMMOLS).

    Interestingly, while HAL and IAF each had their respective enterprise resource planning platforms – Industrial Financial System and IMMOLS – the two organisations never had an integrated portal that could provide each data on the requirements, project status and supply needs of the other.

    HAVAI has integrated elements of the IMMOLS and the IFS to now provide real-time data of processes, which is likely to cut delays in deliveries of HAL products to meet IAF requirements.

    Air Marshal M Baladitya, Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Maintenance Command, IAF, said, “The operationalization of HAVAI portal will provide the much-needed visibility in terms of serviceability and decision-making. This Digital India initiative marks a new era that will enable transparency and synergy between the two government organisations. In the days to come, this platform will expand and absorb AI (Artificial Intelligence) and blockchain and make it more potent.”

    Air Chief Bhadauria said, “The E-portal will bolster the competencies of the IAF and HAL and lead to increased serviceability of IAF weapon systems. This would facilitate secure information sharing between IAF and HAL for better coordination, improved transparency and faster decision-making.”

    HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan, said, “The customer-centric portal would go a long way in leveraging the benefits of information sharing in real time. It will also enable the visibility of HAL repair milestones, provide instantaneous budgetary quotations against IAF orders and give information on status of supply against aircraft on ground and repair tasks undertaken by HAL divisions.”

  • Increase in capital outlay of Defence amid pandemic is huge step, says IAF Chief

    By ANI
    BENGALURU: Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Thursday called the increase in the capital outlay of Defence budget “a huge step”, which will provide adequate budgetary support amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “We all know the pandemic effect and its impact on the economic scenario. To get this level (Rs 20,000 cr) increase in capital outlay, it’s a huge step by government to provide that kind of budgetary support,” IAF Chief told ANI on whether budget hike for modernisation would meet IAF requirements.

    “Last year also, additional funds of Rs 20,000 crores were provided. That helped the emergent procurement plans of the three forces and that really helped us. I think it is adequate for our capability building,” said IAF chief.

    This statement comes after defence forces received an overall hike of around 7.4 per cent over last year as Rs 3.62 lakh crore were provided to them excluding pensions amid the China military standoff.

    Additionally, the defence forces received more than 18 per cent hike over last year in capital outlay meant for acquisition of new weapon systems as Rs 1.35 lakh crore have been provided over the Rs 1.13 lakh crores last year.

    However, the budget documents also revealed that the Defence Ministry spent an extra amount of Rs 20,776 crore for buying new weapon systems and spares for the armed forces in the present fiscal over and above the funds allocated for the purpose.

    The additional Rs 20,776 crore has been spent on buying weapons and other spares under the special financial powers given to services under emergency and other provisions.

    The money has been used to acquire equipment like the Spice-2000 bombs, Spike anti-tank guided missiles, SiG Sauer assault rifles, Excalibur ammunition, multiple types of aircraft spares from Russia along with the ammunition for tanks and fighter jets.

    In the 2021-22 Union Budget, the Defence Ministry has been allocated Rs 4,78,195.62 crore. Rs 1.15 lakh crore have also been allocated for defence pensions which are disbursed to both military and civilians who have worked for defence Ministry.

  • IAF chief RKS Bhadauria assures Arunachal Pradesh of full support during need

    By PTI
    ITANAGAR: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Wednesday assured Arunachal Pradesh of the full support of the Indian Air Force (IAF) whenever required.

    Bhadauria, in his maiden visit to the state, called on Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu and discussed issues pertaining to the national security, recruitment of the state’s youth into the force and the IAF’s humanitarian missions in Arunachal Pradesh.

    The IAF chief assured Khandu of providing Defence pilots to meet the shortage of pilots for fixed-wing civilian aircraft to be operated in the state, an official statement said.

    Discussions were held on Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) for Dirang and Anini, to which the IAF responded favourably, it said.

    Khandu assured the IAF of government cooperation for defence preparedness.

    The chief minister expressed gratitude to the IAF for being at the forefront of extending humanitarian assistance in the state, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The governor thanked the IAF for airlifting the people of the state during emergencies and suggested Bhadauria to conduct recruitment rallies to encourage youths from the state to join the force.

    He recalled an incident when he had requested the air officer commanding of the Air Force Station in Assam’s Tezpur for a helicopter to air-lift a woman with complicated pregnancy from Tawang and it was carried out instantly and effectively.