The Indian Air Force (IAF) marked its 93rd anniversary on Wednesday with a grand celebration at the Hindon Air Force Station, honouring the courage, professionalism, and commitment of India’s Air Warriors. The event paid special tribute to Operation Sindoor, a defining mission that reaffirmed the IAF’s operational might and precision in modern warfare.
#WATCH | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: Air warriors carry out a march past at Hindon Air Base, as part of Air Force Day celebrations here. pic.twitter.com/dWKoJGaWsI
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2025
Addressing the gathering, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh commended the IAF’s exceptional performance during Operation Sindoor, calling it “a shining example of what can be achieved through meticulous planning, disciplined training, and determined execution.”
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh says, “𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞…Operation Sindoor is a shining example of what can be achieved through meticulous planning, disciplined… pic.twitter.com/8Pm66f4YSD
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 8, 2025
He highlighted the success of indigenously developed weapons and platforms, which played a crucial role in delivering accurate and high-impact strikes. The Air Chief Marshal noted that such operations had re-established the importance of offensive air action as a decisive element of national defence and deterrence.
Recalling the IAF’s glorious history, from the 1948, 1971, and 1999 wars to the Balakot air strikes of 2019, he underlined the Air Force’s dual responsibility as both a shield against external aggression and a symbol of India’s national pride.
Operation Sindoor, executed in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, showcased the IAF’s ability to conduct swift, coordinated, and precision-driven missions. The operation targeted nine terrorist camps across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deep inside Pakistan, using advanced indigenous aircraft and weapon systems linked through the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
Air Chief Marshal Singh described the mission as a “demonstration of India’s growing technological and strategic edge,” crediting the operation for reaffirming the decisive role of air power in modern conflict. Within days, the mission altered the operational landscape, compelling the adversary to seek de-escalation.
The celebrations also recognised the IAF’s role beyond combat. Operation Sindhu, carried out in June 2025, was praised for the swift evacuation of Indian nationals from conflict-hit zones in Iran and Israel. The operation showcased the Air Force’s humanitarian side—combining courage with compassion—as it rescued citizens under hazardous conditions.
The day’s events began with a grand parade at Hindon Air Base, where Air Chief Marshal Singh inspected the march past of Air Warriors. The spectacle featured some of India’s most powerful fighter aircraft—including the Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-29, and a final salute to the MiG-21 Bison, marking the end of an era after six decades of service.
Indigenous platforms took centre stage, with displays of the Netra AEW&C, Akash Surface-to-Air Missile System, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Super Hercules, Apache attack helicopters, and the Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv). These assets underscored the IAF’s expanding self-reliance and combat readiness.
At the National War Memorial, top defence leaders Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi joined Air Chief Marshal Singh to lay wreaths in memory of India’s fallen heroes.
