Adampur Air Base: Legacy, Strategic Value And Role In Operation Sindoor
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Adampur Air Base played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
Adampur Air Base: Located just 100 km from the Pakistan border, the Indian Air Force's second-largest airbase in Punjab stands as a symbol of valour, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit bringing renewed national focus to it.
Located between Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, the Adampur Air Base is a fully operational facility and the second-largest airbase of the Indian Air Force. It houses the IAF's 47th Squadron, popularly known as the 'Black Archers'.
The Adampur Air Base, which also hosts a forward deployment of the 28th Squadron (First Supersonics), has long been a vital pillar of India's air defence network and played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor.
Adampur base serves both military and commercial purposes, supporting defence operations while also facilitating commercial civil aviation activities.
Adampur Air Base, established in the early 1950s, stands as the Indian Air Force's second-largest air station and holds a key position in India's military aviation legacy. The base has played a frontline role in national defence, particularly during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Initially set up on March 16, 1950, as No. 305 Wing, the base was redesignated as No. 8 Wing in 1956. Its establishment was part of the IAF's broader efforts to expand and strengthen its operational reach following independence.
Chosen for its strategic proximity to the western front, Adampur was designed to host fighter squadrons and enable swift deployment of air power near the border.
Chengiz Khan targeted Indian airbases on December 3.
While the Pathankot base sustained damage, Adampur remained fully operational, providing vital interceptor cover. Under Air Marshal Randhir Singh, the IAF pilots flew relentless sorties, including Su-7s and MiG-21s, supporting Army operations and striking targets near Lahore.
Strategic Value: Interesting Facts
Adampur Air Base is a key strategic asset for India due to its close proximity—just 100 km—to the Pakistan border. As one of the IAF's most vital forward-operating bases, it enables rapid response, early threat detection, and swift deployment of air assets, supporting both offensive and defensive operations along the western front.
Its central position close to key IAF bases forms a robust defence network:
Pathankot Air Force Station (70 km north-northwest): Hosts helicopter squadrons and Apache attack helicopters; key for rotary-wing operations near the border.
Halwara Air Force Station (60 km south-southeast, near Ludhiana): Houses Su-30MKI fighter squadrons; part of IAF's Western Air Command.
Amritsar Air Force Station (90 km west): Located near the India-Pakistan border; enhances frontline surveillance and rapid response.
Bathinda Air Force Station (150 km southwest): Plays a key role with deployed Rafale fighter squadrons.
Chandigarh Air Force Station (120 km southeast): Serves primarily as a hub for transport aircraft and helicopters.
Adampur Air Base: Role In Op Sindoor
Adampur Air Base played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
Positioned near the western border, it ensured air defence readiness and supported offensive operations during the conflict.
Equipped with MiG-29 squadrons, Adampur conducted air-to-ground strikes on terror targets across the border, maintaining aerial superiority despite rising tensions.
Following India's strikes, Pakistan launched missile and drone attacks on May 9-10, targeting key IAF bases, including Adampur. However, due to its effective air defence system and rapid threat detection, the Adampur base successfully intercepted these attacks and safeguarded its infrastructure, giving operational freedom to the IAF.
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the air base was seen not only as a morale booster for the security forces in the wake of Operation Sindoor but also as a strategic move to decisively counter Pakistan's disinformation campaign.
PM Modi was seen waving to the jawans against a backdrop featuring a MiG-29 jet and an intact S-400 air defence system — which Pakistan had falsely claimed to have destroyed.
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Location :
Adampur, India, India
First Published:
May 13, 2025, 20:16 IST
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