Let us continue to strive towards more capable and fully self-reliant Air Force: IAF Chief
Chennai (PTI): Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Tuesday highlighted the need for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to realign itself to meet the present and future requirements as the global security environment is in a state of constant flux.
The ongoing conflicts have demonstrated the requirement to have a strong and capable Air Force. Therefore, there is a need for the IAF to be prepared to meet any contingency that challenges our national interest, he noted.
After reviewing the Parade at the Air Force Station in Tambaram near here on the occasion of 92nd IAF Day celebrations, he said, "adopting the latest technology along with innovative and out-of-the-box thinking will play a decisive role in today's multi-domain environment."
Singh recalled that last year the Indian Air Force made a significant stride in strengthening operational capabilities, enhancing professionalism and adapting to ever-evolving challenging modern warfare.
Noting that Air Force Day was an occasion to honour the 'courage' and 'valour' of air warriors, past and present, and pay homage to those who made supreme sacrifice, Singh said, "While we rededicate ourselves to the service of the nation, we must also look back to introspect on the previous year, celebrate our achievements, recognise areas where we fell short, learn our lessons and realign ourselves to the present and future requirements."
"The global security environment is in a state of constant flux. Ongoing conflicts have demonstrated the requirement to have a strong and capable air force. Therefore, there is a need for the Indian Air Force to be prepared to meet any contingency that challenges our national interest," he said.
Referring to the theme of this year's Annual Day, 'Bharatiya Vayu Sena: Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar (Potent, Powerful and Self-Reliant), he said, "it perfectly describes our aspirations."
"Over the years, we have become more empowered with better technology and achieved new levels of operational exploitation of our systems and weapons."
He pointed out that the past year was very eventful and the Air Force proved its mettle on various fronts.
In 2024, the IAF chief said, the Air Force expanded its participation in bilateral and multi-lateral exercises with Air Forces of friendly foreign countries. "We also conducted the largest multi-national exercise Tarang Shakti on the Indian soil after a gap of 61 years with participation from Air Forces of more than 30 nations," he added.
The first phase of 'Tarang Shakti' was held at Sulur in Tamil Nadu while the second phase was held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in August and September.
Dubbed as the 'largest multilateral air exercise', Tarang Shakti showcased the country's defence prowess and provided a platform to participating forces to foster interoperability.
During the Tarang Shakti exercise, Singh said that the overall arrangements and conduct of the exercise earned 'a lot of praise' and it is a testimony to 'the competence and professionalism' of the air warriors.
"We have been always the first responder in any calls of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief both within India and abroad. In the last one year, the Indian Air Force has been called upon to provide flood relief in many locations while fighting forest fires in some other," Singh said.
The Indian Air Force beyond the borders, also played an important role in relief and evacuation from many countries, he added.
"Rescue of Merchant ship MV Ruen in March this year, demonstrated our strategic reach and prowess," he said.
Singh remarked that the welfare and well-being of IAF personnel and their families continue to be of 'utmost importance'.
"The Indian Air Force remains fully committed to providing a conducive working environment for one and all," he said.
The Air Chief Marshal, while speaking on the previous year’s achievements, said "one of our primary objectives is to deliver weapons, on target, on time, every time and this capability was aptly showcased during the firepower demonstration exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ at Pokhran Range in February 2024."
He congratulated the officers for an immaculate ceremonial parade on the occasion.
A breath-taking demonstration of air power and a spectacular static display of state-of-the-art equipment featuring ALH Mk-4, C-295 Transport aircraft, Akash Missile Defence System, HTT-40, and Rohini radar, marked the celebrations, graced by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.
The parade commenced with the marching-in of the President’s Colours, symbolising pride, unity, strength and esprit-de-corps. The atmosphere became even more melodious through the performance of a Tri-Services Band, which filled the air with patriotic fervor.
The Air Warrior Drill Team captivated the audience with their sharp and synchronised movements, leaving a lasting impression on all those present.
A captivating aerial display, with various jets including Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Sukhoi-30 MKI and Pilatus performing daring low-level aerobatic manoeuvres was also key highlight of the celebration. The Suryakiran aerobatics team and Sarang helicopter team mesmerised the crowd with their thrilling performances.
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Netanyahu recommends his Cabinet approve Hezbollah cease-fire proposal
Beirut, Nov 26: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people.
The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon's Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal.
In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting.
Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending.
The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel.
Lebanese officials have said Hezbollah also supports the deal. If approved by all sides, the deal would be a major step toward ending the Israel-Hezbollah war that has inflamed tensions across the region and raised fears of an even wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah's patron, Iran.
The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides' compliance.
But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted on Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, doesn't provide “effective enforcement” of the deal.
“If you don't act, we will act, and with great force,” Katz said, speaking with UN special envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.
The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said Tuesday that Israel's security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France.
“There is not an excuse for not implementing a ceasefire. Otherwise, Lebanon will fall apart,” Borrell told reporters in Italy on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting. He said France would participate on the ceasefire implementation committee at Lebanon's request.
Bombardment of Beirut's southern suburbs continues
Even as Israeli, US, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah's military capabilities.
An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city's downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.
Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure.
Earlier, Israeli jets struck at least six buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs. One strike slammed near the country's only airport, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. The airport has continued to function despite its location on the Mediterranean coast next to the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah's operations are based.
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in the suburbs, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where UNIFIL is headquartered.
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate.
Other strikes hit in the southern city of Tyre, where the Israeli military said it killed a local Hezbollah commander.
The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometres from the Israeli border.
Previous ceasefire hopes were dashed
Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the strongest Iranian-backed force in the region, would likely significantly calm regional tensions that have led to fears of a direct, all-out war between Israel and Iran. It's not clear how the ceasefire will affect the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Hezbollah had long insisted that it would not agree to a ceasefire until the war in Gaza ends, but it dropped that condition.
Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since.
Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes.
More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members.
Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country's north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon.
After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted there could be last-minute hitches that delay or destroy an agreement.
“Nothing is done until everything is done,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said.
While the ceasefire proposal is expected to be approved if Netanyahu brings it to a vote in his security Cabinet, one hard-line member, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, said he would oppose it. He said on X that a deal with Lebanon would be a “big mistake” and a “missed historic opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah.”
