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Established in 1932, the Indian Air Force plays a vital role in securing the country’s airspace and protecting India’s national and humanitarian interests against all threats. File Photo: Surya Kiran Aerobatic Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) flies BAE HAWK MK 132 aircraft during an airshow in Mumbai on January 13, 2024. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas
2 , 6The day serves as a tribute to the unwavering dedication and passion of the IAF personnel, while also highlighting the many technological advancements achieved over the years. File photo: Members of Agniveervayu, the first all-women drill team of the Indian Air Force, demonstrate in front of the Bharat Gate War Memorial in New Delhi, India, July 26, 2024. Reuters/Priyashu Singh
3 , 6Launched on October 8, 1932 as an auxiliary force under British rule, the Indian Air Force was originally named the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF). Riaf’s first operational flight took place on April 1, 1933, carrying six RAF-trained officers and 19 Hawi sepoys. File photo: An Indian Air Force fighter jet flies past during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Jan. 26, 2025. Reuters/Adnan Abedi
4 , 6The RIAF made significant contributions during the Second World War and earned its ‘Royal’ prefix for its service in 1945. When India gained independence on August 15, 1947, after 200 years of British colonial rule, and became a republic in 1950, the prefix was officially dropped, and the force was formally established as the Indian Air Force. File photo: Indian Air Force (IAF) Suryakiran aerobatic team performs during the “Aero India 2025” air show at Yelahanka Air Base in Bengaluru, India, February 10, 2025. Reuters/Abinaya Kalyanasundaramam
5 , 6The IAF has a proud history of playing a major role in some of India’s most significant conflicts. These include the Indo-Pak wars of 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999 as well as the Sino-Indian war of 1962. The force participated in important operations such as Operation Poomalai and Operation Sagar in 1987. Sagar was secured during the Kargil war in 1999. File photo: An Indian Air Force C295 aircraft, carrying out rescue and relief operations of flash floods in Dharli, lands at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, India, Aug. 9, 2025, Aug. 9, 2025.
6 , 6Indian Air Force Day honors the dedication of IAF personnel and celebrates the technological advancements of the force in protecting India’s airspace and responding to crises. File photo: Indian Air Force (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas” fires a missile during “Vayu Shakti”, or air power exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan state, India, February 16, 2019. Reuters/Amit Dave/file photo