|
Indian Air Force was officially established on 8th October 1932. Since than IAF has seen many action packed wars, with glorious victories to its credit. At the time of its inception it was a modest force
with six modest RAF trained officers and 19 Hawai Sepoys or Air Soldiers. But now it is a force to reckon with. The Airman has done the country proud with the help of MIG’s, Gnat’s, Vampire’s, Hunter’s, Sukhoi’s etc. Gnat the lovely fighter aircraft, still adores the AIR-Headquarters at Delhi. At the time of India’s freedom from British rulers in 1947, when it became clear to Pakistan that the Maharaja of J&K was not going to accede to Pakistan, Pakistan permitted her tribesman led by her army officers in civilian garb to cross over into Kashmir on 22nd October 1947 to loot and plunder the Kashmiris. On October 27 1947, J&K acceded to India and it was left to Indian forces to defend J&K at this late hour when Pak forces were just 50 Kms away from Srinagar. At that time the Royal Indian Air Force (known thus at that time) proved to be the real savior.
Even during the Kargil war, we all are witness to the kind of support the IAF provided to the ground forces even in such hostile atmospheric conditions.
Well, in recent times IAF has been in the news for reason other than what it is known for, like;
1. The shooting on an aircraft involving very senior officials from the forces
2. M. S. Shekhon controversy, which could have been handled in better way.
3. The news that MIG-21’a have outlived their useful lives. Let us leave the final decision to the experts, but it is equally true that desired modernization of IAF is being delayed for quite some time now.
How useful was this review? (Earn 3 MS-Points™ by rating reviews)
|