DURING THE HIGH STAKES KARGIL WAR IN 1999, THE USE OF AIR power by India, albeit belatedly, turned out to be a huge force multiplier to the heroics of foot soldiers in winning back the forbidding heights. But while the Indian Air Force (IAF) flew game-changing bombing sorties, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was not seen close to the scene of action. The PAF was deterred because unlike the IAF, it did not have Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile capability at that time. The IAF exercised asymmetry with the S530D and R-27 BVR air-to-air missiles on its Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 fighters and went unchallenged in the air.
In the post-Balakot aerial skirmish on February 27, the asymmetric gap in favor of the IAF had demonstrably diminished. After the IAF’s surprise attack on the Jaish-e-Moham mad terrorist training camp at Balakot on February 26, the PAF dared to retaliate within a day. While Operation Swift Retort was largely foiled by the IAF, with the formidable attack package of Pakistani fighters failing to hit a single target on the ground, the shooting down of an IAF MiG-21 in a dogfight and the capture of the ejected pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman enabled Pakistan to claim redemption for Balakot, notwithstanding the glaring contradictions in its claims, brazen denial of the shooting down of its own F-16 and unabashed flogging of the fiction of shooting down an IAF Su-30MKI.
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Denne historien er fra September 2019-utgaven av SP’s Aviation.
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'ZEITENWENDE' - THE TURNING POINT!
In an exclusive interaction, Chief of Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz speaks with Consulting & Contributing Editor Manish Kumar Jha, in New Delhi on a comprehensive range of issues concerning German forces' modernisation, NATO's role, military acquisitions, and Germany's presence in the Indo-Pacific building a new era of military cooperation with India.
REWRITE THE RULE BOOK
The success of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 hinges on the Ministry of Civil Aviation's ability to translate its vision into reality through efficient administration and regulation.
DRIVING SUSTAINABLE AND ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
Over seven decades of FIA, the airshow still remains significant, underscoring the industry's collective drive towards sustainability, Al-based solutions, advanced air mobility, strategic partnerships, significant orders and groundbreaking technologies
STEERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The UDAN scheme has been a game-chan¢ger for India’s aviation industry, democratising air travel, stimulating economic development, and fostering regional connectivity becoming a cornerstone of India’s aviation strategy
THE HIGH-FLYING PATH TO A $5 TRILLION ECONOMY
A robust commercial aviation sector is propelling the Indian economy forward by serving as a catalyst for economic growth, driving tourism, trade, employment, and infrastructure development.
ROLE OF THE IAF IN NATION BUILDING
IAF's global reach to ensure India's ability to conduct defence diplomacy and humanitarian operations, highlight its crucial role in safeguarding and supporting the nation way beyond the traditional military functions.
EXPANDING INDIA'S GALACTIC HORIZONS
India's space economy is set for significant growth as the nation continues to be a major global player, driven by momentum in the private sector, new industry entrants, substantial investments, and supportive policy initiatives.
PRATT & WHITNEY EXPANDS INDIA OPERATIONS
New center will employ 150 aerospace experts and drive customer service and operations support
ADVANCING THE INDIAN AIR FORCE TRAINING CAPABILITIES
A new chapter has been introduced in the history of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the inauguration of the Weapon Systems School (WSS) by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad on July 1, 2024.
PIPER J-3 CUB: TRUSTED TRAINER
When the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) programme was established in anticipation of US involvement in World War II, the Piper J-3 Cub was chosen as the primary training aircraft. Ultimately, 75 per cent of all CPT pilots trained on a Cub