Latest news with #IndianAirforce
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Indian Airforce fighter jets to IPL to film sets: Meet Varlin Panwar, who defended Indian skies for 10 years
Rooted in Discipline: Early Life and Inspiration Wearing the Uniform and Earning the Rank Beyond the Air Force: Films and the IPL From defending the skies to consulting on blockbuster films for authentic portrayal of the armed forces and working behind the scenes in the IPL, Retired Sqn Ldr Varlin Panwar has seamlessly transitioned from decade long military service in the Indian Airforce to creative and security roles in civilian life. Her journey reflects dedication both in uniform and beyond, inspiring many through her continued service in diverse story, which recently gained widespread attention through a post shared by Humans of Bombay on Instagram, showcases how purpose and discipline can carry over into every phase of life. After 10 years in the Indian Air Force , she is now helping shape how India views its armed forces—both onscreen and childhood was shaped by the rhythm of army life, with her father's postings taking the family to new cities every few years. Despite the frequent moves, her parents created a supportive environment. One of her most cherished memories is running every Sunday with her father, who would speak passionately about his army days. These moments planted the seeds of ambition in ambition became conviction when, at 12, she witnessed a passing out parade in Dehradun. The pride on the cadets' faces left a lasting impression. Later, during her graduation, she joined the NCC as part of the 11th Girls Battalion. The training was grueling—marching in rain, attending camps, and balancing it all with academics—but she pushed through, eventually earning the title of Best Cadet at the national to serve, Panwar applied to both the Army and the Air Force and chose the latter after clearing the exams. She remembers the emotion of receiving her uniform and calling her father in tears. His response—'I'm proud of you, but don't just wear your rank, earn it'—became her guiding was commissioned as a Fighter Controller, a demanding position that required quick, decisive action. One of her most significant moments came in 2018, when she was stationed at a frontline IAF base and oversaw the Republic Day flypast. Moments before takeoff, she detected an unidentified aerial object crossing from the border. Responding swiftly, she scrambled jets, and the threat was neutralized—an incident that tested her composure and retiring in 2018, Panwar wasn't ready to slow down. She stepped into the world of tech security with the IPL and soon after began consulting for films like Fighter, Operation Valentine, and Skyforce. Her goal was clear: ensure the men and women in uniform were portrayed with accuracy and offering her military insight to directors and producers, she's helped bridge the gap between real-life service and cinematic storytelling. It's a role she takes seriously, understanding the power of media to influence public perception of the armed Panwar also serves as a mentor for young aspirants, especially girls who dream of joining the forces. She believes courage doesn't come from being fearless, but from believing in one's purpose and taking the first step despite the Humans of Bombay Instagram post, admirers referred to her as a 'real role model,' 'an inspiration,' and 'the pride of India.' Many recalled personal memories with her, while others from defense backgrounds expressed deep respect. Several users even asked for guidance on how to join the Air Force, reflecting the impact of her every chapter—whether in uniform or out—Sqn Ldr Varlin Panwar has shown that service to the nation doesn't end with retirement.
India.com
18-05-2025
- India.com
Bad news for Pakistan, China, Bangladesh as India developing Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warriors, they are dangerous because...
HAL Cats Warrior Drone Bad news for Pakistan, China, Bangladesh: The recent tensions between India and Pakistan witnessed an unprecedented level of air combat that the two countries have ever seen. The air combat was not only limited to long or short range missiles but also drones. Moreover, if reports are to be believed, the future will have more air struggles where targeting the enemies in air would be the most significant part of the conflict. With the development of Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior by HAL, the Indian Airforce has taken a step forward in the direction of air superiority. Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior is a futuristic unmanned wingman drone which can perform multiple tasks, such as scouting, absorbing enemy fire, and attacking targets. Demonstrated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the drone is intended to be similar to the Boeing Ghost Bat and other 'loyal wingman' drones. One of the most useful features of the HAL developed drone is that it can be controlled by a mothership aircraft. In addition to this, it is also capable of returning to base after missions, which makes it multi-usable. About HAL Cats Warrior Also, in high-risk scenarios, the drone can also be directed to crash into critical targets. The drone features stealth capabilities, internal weapon bays, and advanced avionics. HAL Cats Warrior will be a non-human-crewed aircraft. The autonomous wing will make the warrior capable of taking off and landing from Earth and in the sea from an aircraft carrier. The Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior is expected to join with the existing combat platforms of the IAF, such as Texas, Su-30 MKI, and Jaguar very soon. HAL to deliver 12 LCA Mk1A fighter jets to IAF In another significant update, public sector military aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd announced that it expects to deliver as many as 12 LCA Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force this year, following the commencement of delivery of engines from US tech giant GE, as per a report carried by IANS news agency. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Ghar mein ghuske maarenge', says PM Modi in his address to IAF personnel at Adampur base
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, in his address to Indian Airforce personnel at Adampur base, said, India will strike them (terror groups) inside their own territory and won't leave even a single chance for escape.'We have dusted them off. The Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have defeated the Pakistani army. We gave them a message that there is no place in Pakistan where the terrorists could live peacefully. 'Hum Ghar Mein Ghus Ke Marenge."The Indian Prime Minister said, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have defeated the Pakistani Army on which these terrorists were said, Pakistan's 'naapak' intentions have been defeated every single time by our armed again a terror attack happens from Pakistan, we will respond back, the Indian PM Indian Airforce targeted terror bases deep inside Pakistan with speed and precision that left enemy stunned, said Modi his asserted that "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" is not just a slogan but a pledge by the country's soldiers to dedicate their lives for the nation and tales of their valour are etched in history forever after Operation Sindoor. PM Modi travelled to the Adampur air base in Punjab on Tuesday morning and interacted with air force personnel, who have been in the thick of action during the recent conflict with Pakistan. India is eternally grateful to its armed forces for everything they do for our nation, he said on X following the said, "Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation."The prime minister's visit comes after days of intense conflict between India and Pakistan following Indian strikes on terror sites in the neighbouring country on May 7 under Operation Adampur base is the second largest air base in the Modi's choice of visiting the Adampur base of the India Air Force also sends out a message following Pakistani claim of destroying the prized S-400 air defence system in the station, which is home to India's key military defence forces, in a briefing during the conflict, had unequivocally rejected Pakistan's "false narratives".India and Pakistan agreed on May 10 to stop military actions. India has, however, made it clear it has merely paused its operation and its future actions will be guided by Pakistan's his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, Modi had on Monday sternly warned Pakistan that India will not succumb to nuclear blackmail and sent a clear message to the world: terror and trade, terror and talks cannot go together."Operation Sindoor is India's new policy against terrorism and our unwavering pledge for justice. It is the new normal. We have only kept in abeyance our operations against Pakistan and the future will depend on their behaviour," Modi said in a 22-minute Indian Air Force on Monday said all its military bases and systems continue to remain fully operational, and ready to undertake any further missions if the need General of Air Operations Air Marshal AK RBharti said the Indian military's fight was with terrorists and their support infrastructure, but it was a "pity" that the Pakistani military chose to bat for the terrorists.
India.com
12-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Who is Air Marshal AK Bharti, the man who planned demolition of Pakistan's terror industry during Op Sindoor?
Air Marshal AK Bharti played a key role in planning Operation Sindoor. (File) Air Marshal AK Bharti: The Indian armed forces demolished terror infrastructures and killed over 100 terrorists, deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), in a series in midnight missile strikes on May 7, in response to last month's barbaric Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians, mostly Indian Hindu tourists, were killed in cold blood by terrorists. Over the last few days, details have emerged about Operation Sindoor, and the roles each of India's tri-forces — Indian Army, the Indian Airforce, and the Indian Navy– played during the conflict that lasted over four days. One key name which has emerged as being the architect of planning the destruction of Pakistan's terror industry is Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director-General of Operations for the IAF. Lets us find out more about this decorated officer and his role in dismantling Pakistan's terror industry: Who is Air Marshal AK Bharti? A decorated veteran officer with nearly two decades of services, Air Marshal Avdhesh Kumar Bharti was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 13, 1987, and is a fighter combat leader, who led a Sukhoi-30 MKI squadron from August 2005 to September 2007, where he was instrumental in operationalising the weapon systems of the aircraft and developing tactics. Under his command, the Sukhoi-30 MKI squadron was involved in major exercises including Gagan Shakti, Indradhanush 2006 (with the Royal Air Force), and Garuda 2007 (with the French Air Force). A postgraduate of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and the National Defence College (NDC), AK Bharti is credited with operationalising modern weapon systems for the IAF, and developing new strategies for penetrating enemy territory. In 1997, Air Marshal Bharti was awarded CAS Commendation in 1997 by the Chief of Air Staff for work devotion, and in 2008, he was conferred with the Vayu Sena Medal 'extraordinary devotion to duty and excellent leadership', specifically for his role in operationalising the Sukhoi-30 MKI squadron and improving its combat effectiveness. Bharti has also been conferred with the Accident-Free Flying award, and 'Three Stars' for accident-free flying. He has served as the Director General Air Operations (DGAO) since September 2023. Air Marshal Bharti's role in Operation Sindoor As the DGAO of the IAF, Air Marshal AK Bharti was among those who planned and conducted the May 7 precision air strikes on terror targets inside Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor. In a joint press briefing of the tri-forces on Sunday, Bharti revealed how IAF struck terrorist training camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke, and Pakistan's air bases in Chakala, Rafiq, and Rahim Yar Khan. In another briefing on Monday, the officer also confirmed that the IAF struck several targets in Karachi, including Malir Cantonment, a military base located 35km from the Pakistani city. Bharti said that India's 'measured and calibrated' response to Pakistani aggression – i.e., the drone and missile strikes, and small arms fire and artillery shelling across the border – was the targeting of military installations, including a surface-to-air missile site at Malir Cantonment in Karachi.
India.com
12-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
FACT CHECK: India attacked Pakistan's nuclear facility at Kirana Hills? IAF reveals truth
In a significant development after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday, various report covered that the Indian Airforce had hit a nuclear site in Pakistan, leading to nuclear leak. However, clarifying every detail on the social media buzz, Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal AK Bharti has said that the Indian armed forces did not target the nuclear facility at Kirana Hills in Pakistan. Here are all the details you need to know about the recent development. When asked if Indian Armed Forces hit Pakistan's Kirana Hills, DG Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti said in the Special Defence Briefing on India-Pakistan military action that 'Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installations. We did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills. I did not brief in my briefing yesterday.' VIDEO | Special Defence Briefing on India-Pakistan military action: When asked if Indian Armed Forces hit Pakistan's Kirana Hills, DG Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti says, 'Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installations. We did not know about… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 12, 2025 Indian Airforce shares details on Operation Sindoor Air Marshal AK Bharti stated on Monday that the purpose of Operation Sindoor was to target terrorists, and not to engage with the Pakistan Military or Pakistani civilians. Addressing a press briefing, Air Marshal Bharti said, 'Our fight is with the terrorists, our fight is not with the Pakistan Military or Pakistan civilians, so that is very clear. We are very clear in our targeting.' Air Marshal emphasised that the Indian Armed Forces showcased their effectiveness through precise strikes during Operation Sindoor. 'Our counter systems and trained air defence operators are fully capable, and our nation's indigenous capability has proven its effectiveness. It has been demonstrated that no matter what kind of technology emerges, we are prepared to counter it. There is no need for excessive words, you have seen with your own eyes the consequences we have delivered,' he stated. (With inputs from agencies)
