Connect with us

National

IAF to reach full squadron strength by 2032: Air chief

Published

on

New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) The fighter squadron strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will reach the desired numbers by 2032, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa said on Thursday.

Addressing the customary annual press conference here ahead of the October 8 IAF anniversary, the Air Force chief said that as squadrons of older fighter jets retire, Rafale fighters and Light Combat Aircraft Tejas would fill in the gap, and eventually, single-engine India-made fighter jets would take the numbers up to the desired 42 squadrons.

“There is a plan by the government of India to induct fighters and by the end of 15th Plan – 2032, we will have the authorised strength. But with the numbers that we have got, we are capable of carrying out operations anytime,” Dhanoa said.

At least 14 squadrons of MiG 21 and MiG 27 fighter jets are set to retire between 2015-2024, and one squadron of Jaguar fighter jets is to retire in 2027.

Dhanoa said the IAF would be buying 40 Tejas LCAs (Light Combat Aircraft) — 20 with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and 20 with Final Operational Clearance (FOC). In addition, 83 more LCAs are to be bought, which will make up for the requirement of single-engine aircraft.

“The Mig 21 and Mig 27 squadrons are going out. To make up for this number, 40 LCAs — 20 in IOC standard and 20 in FOC standard — and we will shortly issue an RFP for 83 more LCAs,” Dhanoa said.

Another 36 Sukhoi-30 fighters, and 36 Rafale jets which have been bought from France will also make up for the retiring squadrons.

“So, the numbers will not go down below what we are right now. We will start going up only when the single-engine fighters come in, that is when the numbers will start going up,” Dhanoa said.

The IAF currently has 33 combat squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 39.5, which is sought to be raised to 42. Former Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, in a press conference days before retiring in December last year, had said the IAF needed at least 200 more fighter jets in the next 10 years.

–IANS
ao/nir/dg

Continue Reading

National

Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

Published

on

By

Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.

The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.

Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.

Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.

For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.

During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.

Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.

Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .

Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.

In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.

In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.

He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.

Continue Reading

Trending