Chandigarh: IAF conducts full dress rehearsal ahead of Air Force Day flypast
Chandigarh, October 3: Preparations for the Indian Air Force Day are underway at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, with combat aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters, especially the Chinook heavy-lift choppers, taking part in a dress rehearsal on Monday.
Air Force Day flypast is set to be held on October 8 over Sukhna lake in Chandigarh.
In a historic first, the IAF has moved the Air Force Day parade and flypast out of the national capital region.
Earlier in the day, the first batch of indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) dubbed " Prachand" was inducted into the Indian Air Force in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, providing a significant boost to the Indian Air Force's combat prowess.
The induction event took place in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, where the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan joined the Union Minister.
Speaking at the event, Singh stated that LCH will improve our capability and expand defence production, demonstrating India's commitment to self-reliance in defence production.
"There could not have been a better timing for LCH induction than Navratri and in the land of warriors, Rajasthan," the Defence Minister stated, adding that the LCH is a result of research and development for two decades.
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"For a long time, there was a need for attack helicopters and during the 1999 Kargil war, its need was felt seriously. The LCH is a result of research and development for two decades and its induction into IAF is an important milestone in defence production," Singh added.
The new chopper is capable of aerial combat and will aid the force in combating slow-moving aircraft, drones, and armoured columns during conflicts. The induction event will be chaired by Rajnath Singh, who has been instrumental in moving cases for buying indigenous platforms for forces forward.
He also attended the Cabinet Committee on Security, which approved the purchase of 15 of these LCHs for the army and air force.
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-PTC News
