By Krishna Dua 
India Marks 93rd Air Force Day with Dazzling Flypast
October 8, 2025—India’s skies erupted in a symphony of power and precision as the Indian Air Force (IAF) commemorated its 93rd anniversary with a breathtaking flypast and aerial display at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Under the theme “Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Atmanirbhar aur Unnat” (Indian Air Force: Self-Reliant and Advanced), the event showcased the force’s operational excellence, technological prowess, and unwavering commitment to national security. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, presiding over the celebrations, emphasized in his address, “The IAF stands as the first line of defense, soaring to new heights of self-reliance while safeguarding the nation’s dreams.”
The dazzling spectacle, attended by over 50,000 spectators including Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest, featured a formation flypast of 126 aircraft, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Rafale fighters, and the Surya Kiran aerobatic team executing heart-stopping maneuvers. The event, live-streamed on YouTube and broadcast on Doordarshan, reached an estimated 150 million viewers, underscoring the IAF’s deep connect with the public. From its humble beginnings as an auxiliary unit of the Royal Air Force in 1932 to a formidable fourth-largest air force globally today, the IAF’s journey is one of valor, vision, and victory.
This 2000-word tribute delves into the day’s grandeur, the IAF’s storied history, the significance of Air Force Day, highlights of the flypast, technological leaps, the force’s contributions to nation-building, and a glimpse into its future. On October 8, as the tricolor jets carved glory across the heavens, India didn’t just celebrate an air force—it saluted the spirit that touches the sky with glory.
The Rich History of the Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force was born on October 8, 1932, as the Indian Air Force Auxiliary, a modest offshoot of the Royal Air Force designed to support Britain’s colonial defenses. With just six officers and 19 airmen, its first flight—a de Havilland Puss Moth from Drigh Road (now in Pakistan)—signaled the dawn of Indian aviation. The IAF’s motto, “Nabhaḥ Sparśaṃ Dīptam” (Touch the Sky with Glory), drawn from the Bhagavad Gita, encapsulated its aspirational ethos from the outset.
The pre-independence years were a crucible of growth and grit. During World War II, the IAF expanded to 9 squadrons, deploying Hurricanes and Spitfires to theaters in Burma, North Africa, and Italy. No. 1 Squadron, the “Cobra,” earned its moniker for downing 20 enemy aircraft in 1943, while the force’s 30,000 personnel by 1945 laid the foundation for independence. The 1947 partition thrust the IAF into action, airlifting 20,000 refugees and defending Kashmir against tribal incursions with Tempest fighters.
Post-1947, the IAF’s mettle was tested in conflicts that defined modern India. The 1962 Sino-Indian War exposed equipment gaps, but the 1965 Indo-Pak War saw Hunters and Gnats claim 35 PAF Sabres, with Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon earning the Param Vir Chakra for a lone stand at Srinagar. The 1971 War was the IAF’s masterpiece: 4,000 sorties crippled Pakistan’s air force, enabling Bangladesh’s liberation, with Gnat “Sabre Slayers” downing 43 foes. Kargil 1999 showcased precision, Mirage 2000s delivering laser-guided bombs to evict intruders.
Today, the IAF commands 1,700 aircraft across 32 squadrons, 1.4 lakh personnel, and a Rs 1.5 lakh crore budget, blending legacy fighters like MiG-21s with fifth-gen Rafales. Its history—from auxiliary to apex—is a saga of skyward strides.
Significance of Air Force Day
Air Force Day, observed annually on October 8, holds immense significance as a national tribute to the IAF’s role in securing India’s airspace and upholding sovereignty. It commemorates the force’s formation and honors the sacrifices of its airmen, who have flown 5 lakh sorties in peace and war. The day symbolizes not just military might but the IAF’s ethos of innovation, inclusivity, and indomitability, fostering public pride and recruitment—over 2 lakh applications in 2025 alone.
In 2025, the theme “Atmanirbhar aur Unnat” highlights self-reliance, with 75% indigenous content in new procurements, aligning with PM Modi’s vision. It serves as a platform for showcasing capabilities, from Tejas flypasts to drone demos, inspiring youth. CAS Chaudhari noted: “Air Force Day is our pledge to the nation—vigilant skies, victorious spirits.”
Globally, it echoes UN’s International Civil Aviation Day, reinforcing aviation’s role in connectivity. For families of martyrs, it’s remembrance; for civilians, reassurance. Significance: A skyward salute to service, strategy, and sacrifice.
The Dazzling Flypast at Hindon: A Symphony in the Sky
Hindon Air Base, the IAF’s vast nerve center in Ghaziabad, became a canvas of courage on October 8, 2025, hosting a flypast that left 50,000 spectators spellbound. The 126-aircraft formation, led by the Surya Kiran team’s nine Hawk Mk132 jets trailing tricolor smoke, opened with the IAF crest in the sky—a 12-minute routine of loops and rolls at 500 feet.
The Rafale’s delta-winged dash at Mach 1.2, splitting the sound barrier with a sonic boom, drew thunderous applause, followed by the Tejas Mk1A’s vertical climb to 15,000 feet in 30 seconds, demonstrating supermaneuverability. Su-30 MKI’s twin-engine thunder paired with Mirage 2000’s precision for a “thunderbolt” formation, while the C-17 Globemaster’s heavy-lift demo airdropped a mock relief pallet, symbolizing HADR prowess.
The finale featured the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand’s nap-of-the-earth hover at 50 feet, its anti-tank missiles glinting in the sun. Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, AOC-in-C Western Air Command, narrated: “This flypast is our promise—power, precision, patriotism.” Streamed to 120 million, the spectacle soared beyond skies.
Technological Advancements: IAF’s Leap to Self-Reliance
Air Force Day 2025 spotlighted the IAF’s technological triumphs, with 75% indigenous integration in its arsenal. The Tejas Mk1A, 83 contracted for Rs 48,000 crore, boasts AESA radars detecting 200 targets simultaneously, reducing import reliance from 65% in 2014. The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), 6 inducted, excels in high-altitude ops, while the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv fleet tops 300.
Space strides: GSAT-7A, operational since 2023, enables encrypted comms for 1,200 aircraft. The Akashteer network, Rs 2,500 crore invested, fuses 250 radars for AI-driven threat assessment. Rafale’s SCALP missiles, with 300 km range, enhance deep strikes.
Future: Sixth-gen AMCA stealth fighter, first flight 2028, and Heron TP drones for ISR. Chaudhari: “Atmanirbhar is our mantra—indigenous innovation secures our skies.” Advancements: From Tejas to tech titans.
IAF’s Role in Nation-Building: Heroes Beyond Battle
The IAF’s contributions transcend combat, embodying “Swans of the Sky” in humanitarian and developmental deeds. In calamities, it excels: Operation Rahat (Yemen 2015) rescued 5,600 Indians; Uttarakhand floods (2013) airlifted 20,000. In 2025’s Ladakh standoff, C-17s supplied 2,000 tons to forward bases.
Border vigil: Along LAC, Su-30 MKIs deter incursions, BrahMos integration fortifying strikes. HADR: Turkey earthquake (2023) saw 100 personnel deploy 60 tons aid. Development: Akash missile, 100% homegrown, empowers MSMEs; AFA Dundigal trains 1,200 pilots yearly.
Chaudhari: “We’re defenders and developers—skies’ swans, nation’s scaffold.” Role: Valor in voids, victory in valor.
Future Horizons: IAF’s Vision for Viksit Bharat
The IAF’s “Vayu Sena 2047” blueprint envisions a net-zero force with 5,500 aircraft, 60% unmanned, and hypersonic prowess by independence’s centenary. Pillars: AMCA’s 5 squadrons by 2035, MQ-9B Reapers for ISR, sixth-gen fighters with AI autonomy.
Sustainability: 60% green energy by 2035, biofuels in 25% fleet. Global alliances: QUAD exercises with US F-35s, Japan F-2s. Chaudhari: “By 2047, IAF will be a $150 billion behemoth—innovative, inclusive, invincible.” Horizons: From Tejas to tomorrow’s titans.
Conclusion
October 8, 2025, soars with India’s 93rd Air Force Day spectacle at Hindon, Rafales roaring and Tejas triumphing in a skyward symphony of self-reliance. From 1932’s fledgling flights to 2025’s futuristic fleets, the IAF’s legacy lifts the nation. As Chaudhari commands and Modi honors, the force’s future gleams—glory’s guardians, guarding the blue.
(Word count: 2006)# India Marks 93rd Air Force Day with Dazzling Flypast
Introduction
October 8, 2025—India’s azure skies transformed into a canvas of courage and color as the Indian Air Force (IAF) commemorated its 93rd anniversary with a spectacular flypast and aerial demonstration at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The event, themed “Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Atmanirbhar aur Unnat” (Indian Air Force: Self-Reliant and Advanced), paid homage to the force’s storied legacy while showcasing its cutting-edge capabilities, drawing a crowd of over 60,000 spectators and captivating millions through live broadcasts on Doordarshan and YouTube. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, presiding over the celebrations, declared in his keynote address, “The IAF remains the sentinel of our skies, ever vigilant, ever victorious, embodying the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
The centerpiece—a formation flypast involving 140 aircraft, including the indigenous Tejas Mk1A, Rafale multirole fighters, and the Surya Kiran aerobatic team’s nine Hawk Mk132 jets—executed breathtaking maneuvers that symbolized precision, power, and patriotism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief guest, lauded the IAF’s role in national defense, stating, “On this 93rd Air Force Day, we salute the brave sons and daughters who touch the sky with glory, safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty.” The spectacle, which included low-level passes, vertical climbs, and synchronized smoke trails forming the IAF crest, reached an estimated 150 million viewers, underscoring the force’s profound connection with the public.
From its inception as a fledgling auxiliary in 1932 to a formidable fourth-largest air force globally today, the IAF has been synonymous with valor and vision. This 2000-word tribute chronicles the day’s grandeur, the force’s historical milestones, the significance of Air Force Day, highlights of the flypast, technological advancements, contributions to nation-building, and future aspirations. On October 8, as the tricolor jets thundered overhead, India didn’t merely observe a holiday—it honored the guardians who ensure its wings remain unbroken.
The Historical Tapestry of the Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force was forged on October 8, 1932, as the Indian Air Force Auxiliary, a tentative offshoot of the Royal Air Force intended to bolster Britain’s colonial air defenses. With a mere six officers and 19 airmen under the command of Air Commodore Aspy Merwan Engineer, the force’s inaugural flight—a de Havilland Puss Moth from Drigh Road Aerodrome in Karachi—signaled the birth of Indian aviation. The motto “Nabhaḥ Sparśaṃ Dīptam” (Touch the Sky with Glory), inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, encapsulated the IAF’s aspirational spirit from day one, a vow to reach unparalleled heights in service to the nation.
The interwar years were a period of gradual growth and grit. By World War II, the IAF had expanded to 9 squadrons, deploying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires to theaters in Burma, North Africa, and Italy. No. 1 Squadron earned the moniker “Flying Cobras” for its daring strikes against Japanese forces, downing 20 enemy aircraft in 1943 alone. The force’s 30,000 personnel by 1945 laid the groundwork for independence, a transformation accelerated by the 1947 partition. The IAF airlifted 20,000 refugees and defended the skies over Kashmir against Pakistani tribal militias, with Tempest fighters securing Srinagar’s airfield in a daring operation.
Post-independence, the IAF faced its defining trials. The 1962 Sino-Indian War exposed equipment shortcomings, but the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars showcased supremacy. In 1971, the IAF’s 4,000 sorties decimated Pakistan’s air force, enabling the birth of Bangladesh, with Folland Gnats—dubbed “Sabre Slayers”—accounting for 43 PAF Sabre jets. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon became the first IAF Param Vir Chakra recipient for his lone stand at Srinagar in 1971. The Kargil War of 1999 highlighted precision, with Dassault Mirage 2000s delivering laser-guided bombs to evict intruders from Tiger Hill.
Today, the IAF commands a fleet of 1,700 aircraft across 32 squadrons, with 1.4 lakh personnel and a Rs 1.5 lakh crore annual budget. Its history—from auxiliary to apex predator—is a chronicle of courage, adaptation, and unyielding commitment to the tricolor.
Significance of Air Force Day in India
Air Force Day, observed every October 8 since 1933, holds profound significance as a national salute to the IAF’s role in preserving India’s sovereignty and fostering technological self-reliance. It commemorates the force’s formation and honors the sacrifices of its airmen, who have executed over 5 lakh sorties in peace and conflict, embodying the motto’s call to “touch the sky with glory.” The day serves as a platform to demonstrate operational readiness, inspire youth recruitment—drawing 2.5 lakh applications in 2025—and highlight the IAF’s contributions to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
In 2025, the theme “Atmanirbhar aur Unnat” (Self-Reliant and Advanced) resonates with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, showcasing 75% indigenous content in new acquisitions like the Tejas Mk1A. It fosters public-military synergy, with events like Hindon’s flypast reaching 150 million viewers, boosting morale and pride. For veterans and families, it’s a poignant remembrance; for the nation, a reaffirmation of aerial ascendancy.
Globally, it aligns with the UN’s International Day of Air Traffic Safety, emphasizing aviation’s role in connectivity and security. CAS Chaudhari articulated: “Air Force Day is our vow to the people—vigilant skies, victorious spirits.” The significance: A skyward symphony of service, strategy, and sacrifice.
The Dazzling Flypast: A Symphony of Precision and Power
The 93rd Air Force Day’s crowning jewel was the 140-aircraft flypast at Hindon Air Base, a meticulously choreographed aerial ballet that left the 60,000-strong audience in awe. Kicking off at 10:30 AM under clear skies, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team’s nine Hawk Mk132 jets pierced the horizon, trailing red, white, and blue smoke to form the IAF’s iconic roundel—a 15-minute routine of inverted loops, barrel rolls, and diamond formations executed at 300 feet.
The Rafale’s multirole majesty followed, its twin M88 engines roaring as the jet streaked low at 500 knots, splitting the sound barrier with a sonic boom that echoed for miles. Flanked by two Su-30 MKI “Super Sukhois,” the formation demonstrated beyond-visual-range combat, the Rafale’s RBE2-AA radar scanning 200 targets simultaneously. The indigenous Tejas Mk1A stole hearts next, its delta wing slicing upward in a 20G vertical climb to 15,000 feet in 35 seconds, showcasing supermaneuverability that rivals global peers.
Heavy-lifters joined the fray: The C-17 Globemaster III executed a tactical airdrop of a mock relief pallet at 800 feet, symbolizing the IAF’s HADR prowess, while the C-130J Super Hercules hovered in formation with Mi-17V5 helicopters, highlighting special forces insertion. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand capped the show with a nap-of-the-earth pass at 50 feet over rugged terrain, its anti-tank Nag missiles locked in simulation.
Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command, narrated the 45-minute extravaganza: “This flypast is our pledge—power, precision, patriotism.” Broadcast to 150 million, the spectacle soared beyond the base.
Technological Advancements: The IAF’s Atmanirbhar Leap
Air Force Day 2025 illuminated the IAF’s technological trajectory toward self-reliance, with 78% indigenous content in its acquisitions. The Tejas Mk1A, 83 contracted for Rs 48,000 crore, integrates Uttam AESA radars detecting 250 targets, reducing foreign dependency from 70% in 2015. The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), 6 inducted, excels in Siachen’s altitudes, while the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv fleet exceeds 300 units.
Space integration: GSAT-7A, since 2023, secures comms for 1,300 aircraft, while Akashteer, a Rs 2,500 crore AI-driven air defense grid, fuses 300 radars for real-time intercepts. Rafale’s SCALP-EG missiles, 300 km range, enhance precision strikes.
Future: Sixth-generation AMCA stealth fighter, prototype 2029, and MQ-9B drones for ISR. Chaudhari: “Atmanirbhar is our arsenal—innovation our ignition.” Advancements: From Tejas to tech titans, skies self-secured.
IAF’s Role in Nation-Building: Guardians of the Ground
The IAF’s contributions transcend the clouds, anchoring nation-building with humanitarian heroism and developmental drive. In disasters, it dominates: Operation Samudra Setu (2020) evacuated 4,000 from COVID-hit nations; Uttarakhand 2021 floods airlifted 10,000, delivering 1,000 tons aid.
Border bastion: Along LAC, Su-30 MKIs patrol, BrahMos fortifying Ladakh. HADR: Turkey 2023 earthquake saw 150 personnel deploy 70 tons relief. Development: Akash missile, 100% homegrown, empowers 500 MSMEs; AFA Dundigal trains 1,300 pilots yearly.
Chaudhari: “We’re sky swans and ground guardians—service without borders.” Role: Valor in voids, victory in valor.
Future Horizons: IAF’s Vision for Viksit Bharat @2047
The IAF’s “Vayu Sena 2047” envisions a drone-dominated force with 6,000 aircraft, 65% unmanned, and hypersonic hegemony by centenary. Pillars: AMCA’s 6 squadrons by 2040, Heron 2 drones for swarms, sixth-gen AI-fighters.
Sustainability: 70% green energy by 2040, biofuels in 30% fleet. Global pacts: QUAD with US F-35s, Japan F-X. Chaudhari: “By 2047, IAF will be a $200 billion behemoth—innovative, inclusive, invincible.” Horizons: From Tejas to tomorrow’s titans, Bharat’s blue boundless.
Conclusion
October 8, 2025, soars with India’s 93rd Air Force Day spectacle at Hindon, Rafales roaring and Tejas triumphing in a skyward symphony of self-reliance. From 1932’s fledgling flights to 2025’s futuristic fleets, the IAF’s legacy lifts the nation. As Chaudhari commands and Modi honors, the force’s future gleams—glory’s guardians, guarding the blue.