93 years ago, what started with just 4 biplanes and 6 pilots has grown into the fourth largest air force of the world. Wednesday (October 8, 2025) marked the 93rd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which was established on the same day in 1932. IAF personnel commemorated the day and how!
The skies above Hindon Air Force Station thundered with pride, precision, and power as the Indian Air Force celebrated its 93rd Air Force Day in spectacular fashion. Returning to its traditional home after two years (Chennai in 2024 and Prayagraj in 2023), the celebration on October 8, 2025, was not just a display of aerial might, it was a tribute to a legacy built over nine decades.
Frontline aircraft like the Rafale, Su-30MKI, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Super Hercules, and the Apache Guardian lit up the skies alongside the indigenous Netra AEW&C system. The iconic Tiranga formation left trails of the national tricolour, but it was the farewell to the MiG-21 Bison, marking the end of a 60-year era, that left many emotional.
Operation Sindoor: How it became a defining moment in IAF’s modern combat history?
If there was one message Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh wanted to deliver loud and clear, it was that the Indian Air Force is not just a guardian of airspace, but a decisive force multiplier in modern warfare. Operation Sindoor was the highlight of his address, as the IAF managed to destroy several Pakistani combat aircraft, including 4–5 F-16s.
The mission’s precision, planning, and power proved India’s offensive air capabilities were not only sharp but indigenously powered. “The outstanding performance of our home-grown, integrated weapons delivered devastating blows deep into enemy territory,” said the Air Chief, underscoring faith in Indian defence technology.
How has the Indian Air Force grown into a global force?
From combat missions to humanitarian relief, the IAF has shown it’s not limited to borders. Its global presence is increasingly visible in international joint exercises like Desert Knight (France), Red Flag Alaska (USA), Udara Shakti (Malaysia), Bright Star (Egypt), INIOCHOS-25 (Greece).
Such engagements underscore India’s emergence as a trusted air power in global security dialogues.
How is the IAF going beyond the sky limit?
Sky is certainly not the limit for the IAF as it has also reached for the stars, quite literally. Earlier this year, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first IAF pilot aboard the International Space Station, showcasing the service’s space ambitions and capabilities.
With such strides, the IAF is not just securing India’s airspace, it is preparing to defend national interests in space.
A vintage car at 93rd IAF day celebrations?
Another notable thing from the 93rd IAF day celebrations was a vintage car in which the Air Chief Marshal arrived. This year’s celebrations weren’t just about future technologies; they paid homage to history in a remarkable way. AP Singh arrived in a cream-coloured 1967 Ford Salon Car, reviving an emotional chapter of IAF history.
First used by Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal, the 7th Chief of Air Staff who led the IAF during the 1971 war, the powerful 8-cylinder, 390 V-B engine car once ferried the top military minds who shaped India’s air defence.
Preserved in the Air Force Museum at Palam, this car is more than a machine—it’s a moving archive.
What is the heritage flight and why does it matter?
The Heritage Flight at Hindon brought nostalgia to life. A fleet of vintage aircraft – Tiger Moth, Harvard, Dakota, and HT-2 – took to the skies once again, reminding the audience of the IAF’s early days. Originally formed in 1982, the Heritage Flight was suspended in 1989 and resurrected in 2012, now delighting crowds each year with a graceful dance of history in motion.
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What Does the Future Hold for the Indian Air Force?
From vintage fighters to cutting-edge indigenous jets, from national relief operations to global air drills, from warzones to space missions – the Indian Air Force has transformed into one of the world’s most versatile air forces. The 93rd Indian Air Force Day wasn’t just a celebration, it was a living narrative of courage, legacy, technology, and service.
As the Air Chief said with conviction, “Our wings don’t just fly, they define the skies.”