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Watch: The 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the Indian Air Force on its foundation day, saying the courage, valour and dedication of its soldiers to protect the country inspire everyone. The prime minister also posted a brief video in which he speaks of the Indian Air Force's beginning in 1932 as a force of six pilots and 19 airmen and its rise to become one of the strongest forces in the 21st century.

The newly inducted Rafale fighter jet displayed its ability to carry out sharp turns during the flypast at the IAF base in Ghaziabad on the occasion.

The Rafale flew in the 'Vijay' formation, flanked by two Jaguars and Mirage 2000 each. It also carried out a minimum radius turn within an area smaller than a hockey field forming a figure of eight.

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From Sukhoi to Rafale: Read about the sophisticated IAF aircraft

The Indian Air Force has 'clearly' demonstrated its resolve, operational capability and will to effectively engage with the adversary whenever the need arises, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said, referring to his force's prompt deployment and combat readiness along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

An Indian Air Force fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30 fires flares during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An Indian Air Force fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30 fires flares during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

“I would like to commend all warriors for the quick response, in the recent stand-off on our northern frontiers, when we deployed our combat assets at short notice to handle any eventuality, and provided proactive support to all the requirements of deployment and sustenance for the Indian Army,” Bhadauria said after inspecting the Air Force Day parade.

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria inspects a guard of honor during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria inspects a guard of honor during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

“We have clearly demonstrated our resolve, operational capability, and the will to effectively engage the adversary, should the need arise,” he said.

Wishes Pour In

Apart from PM Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others greeted IAF warriors on 88th anniversary of Indian Air Force.

Wishing the IAF, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh added that the Centre is committed to enhancing its capabilities through modernisation and indigenisation.

President Ram Nath Kovind honoured air warriors, veterans and the families of Indian Air Force, saying that the nation remains indebted to the contribution of the IAF in securing the skies.

Indian Air Force Saranng helicopters display their skills during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Air Force Saranng helicopters display their skills during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Air Force Apache helicopters fire flares during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Air Force Apache helicopters fire flares during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Air Force personnel march past Chinnook helicopter, right, and a multi-sensor airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system on a carrier jet during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Air Force personnel march past Chinnook helicopter, right, and a multi-sensor airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system on a carrier jet during Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An Indian Air Force (IAF) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) 'Sarang' team member performs during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
An Indian Air Force (IAF) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) 'Sarang' team member performs during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook helicopters transport a freight during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook helicopters transport a freight during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) newly recruited Rafale fighter jet flies past during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) newly recruited Rafale fighter jet flies past during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) paratroopers from the 'Akashganga' skydiving team glide during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) paratroopers from the 'Akashganga' skydiving team glide during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Visitors attend the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Visitors attend the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
An Indian Air Force (IAF) soldier holds the Indian Air Force flag as she marches during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
An Indian Air Force (IAF) soldier holds the Indian Air Force flag as she marches during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi35 Apache helicopter performs during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi35 Apache helicopter performs during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aicraft (C) flies past during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aicraft (C) flies past during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet performs during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet performs during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
A member of the Indian Air Force (IAF) band performs next to the newly launched Rafale fighter jet during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
A member of the Indian Air Force (IAF) band performs next to the newly launched Rafale fighter jet during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad on October 8, 2020. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

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