IAF chopper during rehearsal over Sukna Lake in Chandigarh
Chandigarh: Indian Air Force will celebrate its 90th raising day on Saturday at Chandigarh. Chandigarh has been chosen for the first time as the IAF Day celebrations. Prior to this, the parade used to be taken place at Hindon in Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh.
On Thursday, the IAF had done rehearsal of its assets the city’s Sukhna Lake complex.
This year, the Indian Air Force has deployed 74 aircraft to mark its 90th anniversary. A total of 9 aircraft will be kept on standby.
The fighter jets which are participating in the aerial display include 6 MiG-29s, 4 Mirage 2000Ks, 3 Rafales, 3 Sukhoi-30MKIs, 3 MiG-21 Bisons, and 6 Jaguars. Three more Sukhoi fighter jets will be seen in Vic formation, carrying on to a vertical split.
Also seen over the Sukhna Lake will be the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. As for the helicopter display, two Advanced Light Helicopters, two Apache attack helicopters and an MI-35 (with call sign Eklavya) will be seen in arrowhead formation.
Chinook Helicopter over Sukna Lake in Chandigarh
Three more Advanced Light Helicopters (call sign Rudra) and three MI-17V5s will be seen in the Vic formation. Also taking part in the flypast would be three newly-inducted Light Combat Helicopters in Vic formation, an MI-17 IV, and a Chinook.
The transport component will showcase the 'Big Boys' IL-76, C-130 and AN-32 aircraft. The vintage Dakota and T-6G Harvard will make a special appearance at the Air Force Day parade.
Indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), 'Prachand' will also showcase its aerial prowess during the flypast. It was inducted into the IAF on October 3 at Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
