Indian Air Force conducts full dress rehearsal ahead of 88th anniversary

The Indian Air Force conducted a full dress rehearsal on Tuesday, including a fly past by its aircraft, at its Hindon base in Ghaziabad for the 88th IAF Day on October 8. The Tejas LCA, Jaguar, Mig-29, Mig-21 and Sukhoi-30 aircraft were part of the rehearsal, besides the newly inducted Rafale fighter jet, an IAF official said. Five Rafale fighter jets were formally inducted into the IAF on September 10 in a major boost to India's air power capability at a time when the country has been engaged in a months-long tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. The official said IAF's helicopter fleet like Mi17V5, ALH Mark-4, Chinook, Mi-35 and Apache were also part of the fly past. He added that planes like C-17, C-130, Dornier and DC-3 Dakota were also part of the full rehearsal day. Suryakiran aerobatic team and Sarang aerobatic team were also part of the fly past. The Air Force Day is celebrated to mark the day the IAF was established in 1932. The force will celebrate its 88th anniversary this year.

Rafale jet flies past during a full dress rehearsal ahead of the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

An Indian Air Force commando takes part in mock drill during a full dress rehearsal for the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

Indian Air Force's CH 47 Chinook helicopters display their load carrying skills during a full dress rehearsal for the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

Indian Air Force personnel march past during a full dress rehearsal on the back drop of CH 47 Chinook for the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force flies past during the full dress rehearsal for the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

A Rafale jet flies past during a full dress rehearsal for the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

Su-30 fighter aircraft conducts stunt during the full dress rehearsal ahead of the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

Indian Air Force's ALH team performs during rehearsals for the 88th Indian Air Force Day celebrations, at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI flies during a full dress rehearsal ahead of the Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad.