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Indian president visualizes IAF of 2025 as model airforce for world

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, March 7, IRNA
India-IAF-President
The Indian Air Force (IAF) Wednesday gave an awesome display of its power before President A P J Abdul Kalam, who visualized it as a "model airforce" for the rest of the world by 2025.

"By the year 2025, the IAF will be a model airforce for the rest of the world to emulate, endowed with the very best of technology in the world, alert and agile strategic planning capability and, above all, the most professional and dedicated air warriors," he said while addressing the presidential review of the IAF fleet in Chandigarh.

According to reports received here, the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces visualized the IAF of 2025 to be based on scientific and technological competence in development of communication satellites, high precision resource mapping satellites, missile systems, unmanned supersonic aerial vehicles and electronic and communication systems.

"This capability will enable the air force to succeed in electronically controlled warfare in the midst of space encounters, deep sea encounters and ballistic missiles encounters," he said.

Kalam saw the winner of future wars as those who "can visualize the strength of the enemy" based on their current scientific and technological capabilities and develop suitable strategies to meet any eventuality.

He said the central government was committed to continuously modernizing equipment and adding force multipliers to enhance the operational performance and improving flight safety of the IAF.

In the presidential review, the fourth in a series with the last held in 1976, a static and air display of the entire IAF fleet was made including an impressive parade by its air warriors.

All 41 colors/standards that were awarded to the IAF by presidents, past and present, were on display and Kalam also released a first-day cover on the occasion.

The aircraft and systems on static display were MIG-21, MIG-23, MIG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, Avro, AN-32, IL-76, Embraer, Chetak, Cheetah, MI-8, MI-17, ALH, MI-25, MI-26, Microlite, UAV, Canberra, Mirage-2000, SU-30, Kiran (SKAT), HPT-32 Heron UAV, radar and missile systems.

The flying display comprised flypasts by MI-17, MI-26, ALH, Chetak, Cheetah, M-35, HPT-32, mixed formation of Avros, AN-32s and Dorniers, Bisons, MIG-29, Mirage-2000s, Jaguars and IL-78 refuelers flypast with two mirages plugged in.

The Jaguar formation of 17 aircraft flown made the figure `75' to signify the diamond jubilee of the IAF, while the SU-30 aircraft performed the Trishul maneuver.

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