India’s relief and assistance mission – Operation Sagar Bandhu – commenced on the very day that Cyclone Ditwah made landfall. INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri delivered relief material. File photo: @indiannavy/X via PTI

March 28, 2024

Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans, a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, took off with a MiG-29 twin-engine fighter jet for a long-range ferry mission for Exercise Gagan Shakti scheduled in April.

Flight Lieutenant Hans was airborne for 20 minutes when at 28,000 feet or 8.5 km from the ground, the pilot experienced a sudden blast and the Head-Up Display (HUD) and “visual reference blanking off”. At 28,000 feet, the atmospheric pressure is very low, the air is thin and Oxygen levels drop drastically.

The pilot realised the fighter jet’s canopy was blown off at 28,000 feet.

Representational image of a MiG-29 operated by the Indian Air Force

The pilot, flying at very high speed, was exposed to temperatures of – 40 degrees Celsius. There were dangers of hypoxia and sickness. He quickly took control of the aircraft while flying on head-down instruments – the displays located on the cockpit panel – as opposed to HUD which projects information on the windshield. Flight Lt Aman announced an emergency using standby radio control and ensured the safety of any civil aircraft flying in the proximity. 

He descended to an altitude of 3 kilometres from 8 when the canopy blew off and landed at the nearest airbase with no radio reception and severe pain in the eyes.

January 25, 2025

Flight Lt Aman Singh Hans avoided a catastrophe. He saved the aircraft and landed safely. For displaying indomitable valour and exemplary gallantry beyond the call of duty” the Government of India has awarded him a Shaurya Chakra – the third highest peacetime gallantry award – on Republic Day this year. Flight Lieutenant Hans is among eight personnel awarded the prestigious gallantry medal on the eve of the Republic Day.

The officer was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2019 and since 2020, he has been flying the MiG-29.

MiG-29, NATO name ‘Fulcrum’ and Indian name ‘Baaz’, is an air superiority fighter jet originating in Soviet Russia. It was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1987, initially with two squadrons – No. 28 and No. 47 Squadrons.

‘Not The First Time’

There have been three known incidents including the one on March 28 last year when a MiG-29’s canopy blew off mid-air.

On June 1, 2016, Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma was authorised to fly an air sortie in a MiG 29 fighter jet to test the aircraft at supersonic speeds at a height of 10 Km. While conducting the ‘Supersonic Flying Corridor’, he was 110 kilometres away from the air base he took off at Mach 1.1 or 1,200 km/hr, and the canopy of the aircraft shattered.

Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma
Photo Credit: www.bharat-rakshak.com

This led to explosive decompression of the glass pieces of the canopy hitting the shoulder of the pilot. He was exposed to extremely low temperatures of minus 28 degrees Celsius and a very severe wind blast due to supersonic speed. His right shoulder was severely injured but the pilot managed to regain control of the aircraft and descended to an altitude of 3 kilometres at the same time reduced speed for effective control.

The pilot managed to land safely and avoided any catastrophe. He managed to avert any disaster since he was flying to a petrochemical factory. Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, who was a Squadron Leader in 1994, shared an incident when his MiG-29’s “canopy flew off” at Mach 1.9 speed (almost two times the speed of sound).

Speaking at the launch of the book ‘India’s Most Fearless 3’ Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari shared the incident and said, “He was conducting an air test on the MiG-29”, adding that his canopy “flew off” and the time of useful consciousness in such a situation and the time left after explosive decompression at such an altitude and speed – was only six seconds.”

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari

He was flying at an altitude of 12.3 km and Mach 1.9 speed and the outside temperature was – 53 degrees Celsius. Then a Squadron Leader in the air force, Mr Chaudhari said he had to quickly descend and “get into a foetal position to avoid wind blast.” He landed back safely.

Twenty-seven years later in 2021, he took charge as the chief of the Indian Air Force.

Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The Headquarter Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) and Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Bengaluru on November 18.

The MoA includes jointly identifying problem areas of IAF in maintenance and servicing of equipment related to radar, aircraft, IT and communication platforms and developing a strategic road map for reliability-centered maintenance through Research and Development.

This will also include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Digital Twin based technologies for lifecycle management, productive maintenance and asset planning.

The Ministry of Defence expects the MoA to enable the two organisations to access testing facilities available with each other for mutual benefit. It will also enable IAF in enhancing academic interaction with IISc towards Post Graduate Programs and support in collaborative R&D efforts. This collaboration will give a boost to self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat, and encourage startups, MSME and other industrial setups to participate in defence indigenisation programs.

US F-35 Lighting carrying out formation flying

‘One Aircraft, Multiple Roles’

China plans to induct the aircraft into the Air Force and the Navy, similar to the US F-35 which has three variants – The F-35A for the Air Force, F-35B for the Marine Corps and F-35C for the US Navy. 

The F-35A can take off from an Air Force runway, the F-35B can hover and vertically land on amphibious attack ships of the Marine Corps and the F-35C, with a wide wingspan, is used for aircraft carrier landings by the US Navy. 

Earlier this year, China’s largest and heaviest aircraft carrier, Fujian, was out for sea trials. The conventionally powered aircraft carrier weighs over 80,000 tons and has the most potent aircraft launch system – EMALS or Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, which currently only the US operates on the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest operational aircraft carrier. 

Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier

The US Department of Defence in a report on China’s naval modernization and its implications, said “China may be developing a carrier-capable variant of its FC-31/J-31 fifth-generation stealth fighter to complement or succeed the J-15 on catapult-equipped PLA carriers.  China reportedly is also developing a carrier-based airborne early warning (NAEW) aircraft, called the KJ-600, that is similar to the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based E-2 Hawkeye AEW aircraft,82 and stealth drone aircraft.”

The J-35 is reportedly a lighter version of the J-20. However, the combat capabilities of both aircraft remain unknown. 

The development of the J-35 fighter jet suggests that China is mirroring the US and aims to combat the latter in the Indo-Pacific. The inclusion in the air show suggests that J-35 is ready for deployment. 

Recently, the US deployed its new long-range air-to-air missile that could potentially disrupt the balance of power in the region.  The AIM-174B missile, onboard the US Navy’s F-18 Super Hornet, as seen in many pictures, is known to have an operational range of approximately 400 km.

Other Attractions At The Air Show 

At the Zhuhai air show, China also unveiled the world’s first twin-seat variant of a stealth aircraft. The J-20s was under development for a few years and has broken the cover at the air show. China says the aircraft is a “heavy-duty radar-evading fighter jet with long-range operation and multifunction capabilities.”

The J-20 fighter jets flew in a diamond formation at the air show. The Russian Su-57, also a fifth-generation fighter jet, participated in the event. 

Russia’s Su-57 participated in the air show
Photo Credit: AFP

The airshow will feature a dedicated drone zone for the first time. The Russia-Ukraine war has shown the world the growing relevance of drones on the battlefield and how it is being used extensively by Kyiv to counter the asymmetry in terms of military strength with Russia. 

China unveiled its ‘Killer Whale’ ship ahead of the largest air show. The dual diesel and electric propulsion ship is unmanned and can carry a range of weapons like rockets, anti-ship missiles and ship-to-air missiles. It can also allow take-off and landing of choppers at its helipad.

China’s Killer Whale is not the first unmanned surface vessel developed by a country. Earlier this year, the US Navy completed its first deployment of four unmanned ships which spent over four months in the Pacific for sea trials. The unmanned surface vessels – Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Mariner and Ranger – departed Southern California in August 2023 and returned in January 2024.

India’s AMCA Program

India is developing its 5.5 generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft which will have stealth capabilities and the Defence Research and Development Organization chief said the induction is expected by 2035. Air Force’s latest induction, the Rafale fighter jet, is a 4.5 generation multi-role aircraft that is deployed in the north in Ambala, Haryana, and Hashimara in Assam. 

While China has deployed the J-20 fighter jets close to the Line of Actual Control, experts have inferred that in the event of a conflict, standalone weapon systems like surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles and air defence systems will play a huge role for the Indian Air Force to combat and outmanoeuvre the Chinese. 

Watch: ‘India To Induct 5.5-Gen Stealth Fighter Jet AMCA By 2035: DRDO Chairman

In August, DRDO showcased 40 indigenously developed advanced systems and technologies at the International Defence Aviation Exposition IDAX 2024 during the Tarang Shakti exercise at Tamil Nadu’s Sulur. On India’s first 5.5-generation stealth aircraft, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr Samir V. Kamat, said that India’s first 5.5-generation stealth aircraft will be inducted by 2035. He further said that India is among the very few nations to develop stealth aircraft.

New Delhi:

A video showing an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet hurtling towards the ground in a flat spin has gone viral.

The fighter jet crashed in a field near Uttar Pradesh’s Agra earlier today. The IAF has said the MiG-29 encountered a “system malfunction” before it crashed. The pilot ejected safely after taking the crippled fighter jet to a direction where there would be no damage or casualties on the ground.

In the video, the MiG-29 is seen falling fast in a flat spin before it hits the ground.

A flat spin occurs when an aircraft enters an uncontrolled spinning motion. It is a dangerous and potentially a life-threatening flight condition.

The IAF said it has ordered an enquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Before today’s accident, the last crash of a MiG-29 fighter jet happened on September 2 in Rajasthan’s Barmer. A “critical technical snag” was cited for the accident then. The pilot had ejected safely.

The erstwhile USSR built the first MiG-29 in 1983. India bought them in 1987 and inducted them the same year. Since then the fighter jet has been upgraded to keep up with new technologies.

A MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed today near Agra in Uttar Pradesh after “encountering a system malfunction”. The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft.

Visuals show the aircraft up in flames in an open field in the Songa village of Agra and people standing several feet away from the burning aircraft. People were seen holding equipment resembling an ejection seat.

The Indian Air Force in a statement said, “A MiG-29 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Agra during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot manoeuvred the aircraft to ensure no damage to life or property on the ground, before ejecting safely. An enquiry has been ordered by the IAF, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

MiG-29, NATO name ‘Fulcrum’ and Indian name ‘Baaz’, is an air superiority fighter jet originating in Soviet Russia. It was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1987. They have a relatively safer track record. 

Reports say this was the upgraded version of the fighter jet – the MiG-29 UPG. This is the second MiG-29 crash in two months. Earlier in September, a MiG-29 faced a technical snag in Rajasthan’s Barmer during a routine night sortie and crashed. The pilot ejected safely.

The MiG-29 Ejection Seat

The Zvezda K-36D zero-zero ejection seat is onboard the MiG-29 fighter jet. It is considered one of the most advanced ejection seats in the world and is also deployed on Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets. 

Read more: NDTV Explainer: How Pilots Eject From An Unrecoverable MiG-29 Jet

The seats are designed to eject pilots from zero position, i.e. stationary position to a considerable height to deploy parachutes. Zero position refers to zero altitude or zero speed. The development of Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seats by the British (the West) eventually led to the development of zero-zero seats by the Soviets. The Tejas fighter jet has the Matin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat deployed. 

The zero-zero capability was developed to help pilots escape unrecoverable situations during low-altitude or low-speed flights and ground mishaps during takeoff or landing.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez on Monday jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing the C-295 aircraft in Vadodara, the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India. A total of 40 military tactical transport aircraft will be built at the Vadodara facility as part of the agreement, while aviation giant Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly.

About C-295 aircraft

The C-295 is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 planes.

The C-295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.

The aircraft can cruise at the speed of 260 knots and can also operate on short airstrips. It can also land successfully on unpaved, soft, and sandy/grass airstrips.

The aircraft, called “robust and reliable”, with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, can carry out multi-role operations under all weather conditions. It can routinely operate day as well as night combat missions from desert to maritime environments, apart from disaster response.

It can serve as a flying ICU, equipped for medical evacuations. It is equipped for the air-to-air refueling of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

The C-295 has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.

All 56 aircraft under the agreement will also be fitted with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite manufactured by Indian DPSUs – Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Fitted with a retractable landing gear and featuring an unobstructed 12.69-meter-long pressurized cabin, the C295 cruises at altitudes up to 30,000 feet, while also retaining excellent low-level flight characteristics.

The C295 is combat proven, having been successfully used during long deployments in remote areas such as Chad, Iraq and Afghanistan. It routinely operates in the hot and humid conditions of the Brazilian jungle and Colombian mountains, in the dusty and very hot deserts of Egypt and Algeria, and in the extremely cold and icy winters of Poland, Finland and Kazakhstan.

About the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara

At the facility, operations will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem, from manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete life cycle of the aircraft.

The first C-295 aircraft may come out of Tata-Airbus’ factory in Vadodara in September 2026. The remaining 39 aircraft are to be delivered by August 2031.

Apart from the Tatas, leading defence public sector units, such as Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, as well as private micro, small and medium enterprises will contribute to this programme.

India will be largest operator of the aircraft with 56 units by 2031.

Vadodara:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez in Gujarat’s Vadodara.

A total of 56 aircraft are there under the C-295 programme, of which 16 are being delivered directly by the aircraft manufacturing company Airbus from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be built at the facility, which is the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India.

It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem from the manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft. The Ministry of Defence in 2021 signed a Rs 21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defense and Space SA, Spain for the supply of 56 aircraft.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft at TATA advanced systems limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara

A total of 56 aircraft are there… pic.twitter.com/4jc2YTx2EC

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi said the aircraft manufactured at the Vadodara facility will also be exported in the future.

“The Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility will strengthen the India-Spain relations and the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ mission,” PM Modi, who laid the foundation stone of the FAL plant of C-295 aircraft in Vadodara in October 2022, said.

He also paid tribute to former Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata, who is said to be the brains behind the project. Mr Tata died at the age of 86 earlier this month.

Speaking at the inauguration of the C-295 Aircraft facility in Vadodara. It reinforces India’s position as a trusted partner in global aerospace manufacturing.https://t.co/VvuC5izfPM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 28, 2024

At the event, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said the project was originally conceived by Ratan Tata in 2012.

“I will fail in my duty if I forget to mention that this project was originally conceived more than a decade ago, in 2012, by the then Tata Sons Chairman, Ratan Tata Ji, who led the whole concept to build a relationship with Airbus and created this partnership with Airbus and laid the foundation stone for this opportunity. So, I would like to remember him for his visionary leadership in this very path-breaking initiative,” he said.

Why C-295 Aircraft Is A Game-Changer

The C-295 is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Avro-748 planes. The C-295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.

The aircraft, called “robust and reliable”, with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, can carry out multi-role operations under all weather conditions.

It can routinely operate day as well as night combat missions from desert to maritime environments.

A game changer for #IAF and #AatmanirbhartainDefence–
Tata & @AirbusDefence to manufacture C-295MW transport aircraft in India.
What makes the aircraft special? Check out here@rajnathsingh@IAF_MCC@drajaykumar_ias@DefProdnIndia@TataCompanies#IAFTransportAircraftpic.twitter.com/W30131dcVc

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 29, 2022

The C-295 has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.

All 56 aircraft under the agreement will also be fitted with an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite manufactured by Indian DPSUs – Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited.

An Indian Army Captain died by suicide after her husband and Indian Air Force Flight Lieutenant’s death in Agra.

Renu Tanwar, was found hanging inside a room at Delhi’s Army Cantonment officer’s guest house on Tuesday. The suicide note found in the guest house mentioned her will to be “cremated hand-in-hand” with her husband Deendayal Deep.

Delhi Police said the suicide likely occurred on the intervening night of October 14 and 15.

Deep, a native of Bihar, was posted at Agra’s Air Force Station.

Chennai:

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi today said the deaths of five people due to suspected heat stroke after an Indian Air Force show in Chennai was “very painful” and that “unmanageable gatherings” should be avoided, tacitly taking on the IAF that aimed to set a world record by bringing together about 15 lakh spectators.

The air show was held to celebrate the Air Force’s 92nd anniversary and was organised at Marina Beach, which is among the world’s longest beaches.

The Air Force had planned to conduct the mega event to set a Limca Book of World Record by aiming to mobilise 15 lakh spectators. But closer to the air show — scheduled between 11 am to 1 pm — the crowd got so large that the elevated MRTS railway stations along the Marina Beach road had turned into a sea of people.

“It is very painful and sorrowful to know that five people have died due to soaring heat after attending the IAF Air Show at Marina Beach, Chennai. Unmanageable gatherings should be avoided,” Ms Kanimozhi posted on X.

As per reports, there was no adequate arrangement for drinking water in the spectators’ area of the event, which was held on a day when the maximum temperature touched 35 degrees Celsius.

People also had to reportedly walk three to four kilometres on the jam-packed roads to get public conveyance or pick up their vehicles.

The Chennai Police, which said it had deployed 6,500 police personnel and 1,500 home guards for security, is facing flak for poor crowd and traffic management.

AIADMK, BJP Slam DMK Over Chennai Airshow

Leader of Opposition and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami attacked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin-led DMK government for the incident and alleged it failed to properly make arrangements for such a significant event.

“On the occasion of the 92nd Inauguration Day of the Indian Air Force, which is one of the most important components of the Indian Defense Department, an air adventure program was staged in Chennai to celebrate the strength of the Air Force. As the notification for this was published in advance, knowing that lakhs of people would come to visit, the Tamil Nadu government informed that arrangements have been made for transportation and basic facilities.,” Mr Palaniswami posted on X.

“However, during the program, administrative arrangements and Crowds and traffic were not managed properly as the police force is also inadequate to regulate. The news is shocking that people were stuck in heavy traffic, even drinking water is not available, and many people have been admitted to hospital due to heatstroke and five people have died so far,” he added.

“This pains me. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. My strong condemnation of the DMK government for failing to properly coordinate even such an important event,” he said.

BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan also called out the “negligence and incompetence” of the DMK government.

“Is this the DMK government’s Dravida model of utter negligence and incompetence? Yesterday’s tragedy at Chennai Air Force show very clearly showed that the State Government, led by DMK, was clearly incapable and unprepared to deal with this event… The government arrangements were not up to the mark. They mishandled the situation very clearly,” Mr Kesavan said.

The Air Force is yet to issue a statement on the loss of lives and criticism over its bid to mobilise large crowds difficult to handle.