Indian Air Force

Yearly Review 2022

Part-1
IAF- Exercise 2022
Exercise Eastern Bridge VI
• Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Air Force of Oman conducted a five-day
bilateral exercise at the Jodhpur air force station. The exercise is named Eastern
Bridge VI, as is in its sixth edition.
• Senior officers from both sides who visited Air Force Station Jodhpur during this
exercise included RAFO's Director General Operations and IAF South Western
Air Command's Senior Air Staff Officer. They discussed further prospects of
mutual co-operation. The exercise provided an opportunity for fruitful
interaction between IAF and RAFO elements through mutual exchange of
experience and operational knowledge. It also provided avenues of cultural
exchanges between the personnel of both countries
• Naseem Al-Bahr is the naval exercise conducted between both countries.
• AL Nagah is a joint exercise between the armies of two countries.
• Eastern Bridge is the joint exercise between the air forces of two countries.
Tactical Leadership Programme in Egypt
• In July 2022, the IAF carried out a one-month long engagement with the
Egyptian Air Force at the Egyptian Fighter Weapon School, located in Cairo West
Air Force Base. This was a first of its kind interaction for both the air forces as it
was conducted between their respective Fighter Weapon Schools.
• Tactical Leadership Program is a unique exercise, wherein IAF is participating
with its aircrew as instructors. This exercise provides a good opportunity to
showcase the reach and capability of the IAF. It will also assist in enhancing
defence cooperation between the two countries and exchange of best practices.
• During the first two weeks of the exercise IAF aircraft participated in missions by
day and night, involving air to ground & air to air combat scenarios and Combat
Search And Rescue (CSAR) activity alongside Egyptian F-16, Rafale and Mig 29
aircraft.
Ex Garuda VII 2022
• The seventh edition of the bilateral air exercise between the IAF and the French
Air and Space Force (FASF), 'Exercise Garuda-VII' concluded at Air Force Station,
Jodhpur on 12 November 2022.
• The FASF participated in the exercise with Rafale fighter aircraft and A-330 Multi
Role Tanker Transport aircraft, while the IAF contingent comprised Su-30 MKI,
Rafale, LCA 'Tejas' and Jaguar fighter aircraft.
• This fighter element was complemented by the IAF's Flight Refuelling Aircraft,
AWACS and AEW&C, as well as Mi-17 helicopters and the newly inducted LCH
'Prachanda'.
• Aim Of The Exercise
• Ex Garuda-VII provided the two Air Forces with the opportunity for professional
interaction and sharing of operational knowledge and experience. Personnel of
the IAF and the FASF were exposed to realistic air combat simulations and the
associated Combat Support Operations.
• Other Defence Exercises
• Varuna - Naval exercise
• Desert Knight - Air exercise
• Shakti - Army exercise
Exercise Pitch Black 2022
• The exercise is a biennial three-week multi-national large force employment
exercise conducted primarily from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal.
• Exercise Pitch Black 2022 is the Royal Australian Air Force’s most significant
International Engagement activity with forces participating from a wide range of
partner and allied nations developing and enhancing military relationships at all
levels.
• An IAF contingent participated in the Exercise Pitch Black 2022 which was
conducted b/w 19 Aug 22 to 08 Sep 22 in Darwin.
• This year’s exercise saw the participation of over 100 aircraft and 2500 military
personnel from 17 various air forces. This year’s participants include Australia,
Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands,
New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, the
UK, and the US.
• Other Exercises B/W India And Australia
• Ex AUSTRA HIND
• Ex AUSINDEX
• Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)
 • EX KAKADU (Multilateral)
• Ex MILAN (Multilateral)
• Ex Malabar (Multilateral)

Ex Udara Shakti 2022

• A contingent of the Indian Air Force participated in a bilateral exercise named
'Udarashakti'.
• Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
(HADR) Exercise 'Samanvay 2022' from 28th to 30th November 2022 at Air Force
Station Agra.
• Ex UDARASHAKTI provided both the Air Forces, an opportunity to share each
others' best practices. The culmination of the exercise was marked by a
traditional closing ceremony and a seven aircraft formation flypast of Su-30MKI
& Su-30 MKM aircraft over the air base. The IAF team will now fly to Darwin,
Australia to participate in Ex PITCH BLACK-22.
• It is an annual joint exercise involving various stakeholders from India and
representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
counties.
MOD Signs Over Rs 2,900 Crore Contract With BDL For
Procurement Of ASTRA Mk I
• In a major boost to PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,
MOD, on May 31, 2022, signed a contract with BDL for the supply of ASTRA MK-
I BVR AAM and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force & Indian Navy at a
cost of Rs 2,971 crore under Buy category.
• Indian defence and security establishment is set for the maiden test of the
indigenous Astra Mk 2 missile with a 160-km range.
• Defence Ministry announced the signing of a deal for the Astra Mk 1 BVR AAM
and associated equipment, at a cost of Rs 2,971 crore. The Astra Mk 1 missile,
for the use of the IAF & Indian Navy, is being procured from BDL.
• This is the first such indigenous missile to enter the service of the Indian armed
forces, which has always depended on Russian (mainly R 73 and R 77) and
French (Mica and Meteor) air-to-air missiles.
• Astra Mk. 2 will use a dual-pulse solid rocket motor for extended reach and
better kinematics during the kill phase.
• The plan is to extend the range of Mk. 2 version to 160 kilometres (99 mi)
rivaling American AMRAAM AIM 120-D. Astra Mk. 2
• A future variant Mk. 3 based on Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) engine is being
jointly developed by India and Russia. The missile was first tested on 30 May
2018 and a further test was carried out on 8 February 2019.
Diamond Jubilee of Chetak Helicopters
• The Chetak helicopter in the inventory of the Indian Armed Forces has
completed 60 years of glorious service to the Nation. To commemorate this
momentous event, a Conclave titled ‘यशस्वत ् षट् दशकम ् with the theme ‘चेतक
– आत्मनिर्भरता, बहुववज्ञता एवं ववश्वस्तता के छः गौरवशाली दशक’ organized on
2nd April 2022.
• The Hon'ble Raksha Mantri has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest for the
occasion. The Conclave, scheduled at the National Industrial Security Academy
Convention Centre, Secunderabad will be attended by the Chief of the Air Staff,
senior retired & serving officers of the helicopter stream from the three services
and officials of MoD, Indian Coast Guard & Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
•
• The Conclave intends to provide a platform to showcase six decades of
helicopter operations in the country, highlighting Chetak helicopter operations
in particular. This event highlight will involve reflections, narrations and
discussions by prominent speakers from the veteran community and the
Services. Deliverables to the audience would also include perspectives on the
evolution of helicopter operations as driven by technology and future battlefield
imperatives.
IAF Inducted LCH Prachand
• The IAF formally inducted the first batch of indigenously developed Light
Combat Helicopter 'Prachand' to boost its combat prowess. The induction was
at a ceremony in Jodhpur in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari.
• The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is developed by state-run aerospace major
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
• The LCH has similarities with the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, designed and
developed by HAL.
• The 5.8-tonne twin-engine helicopter has been primarily designed for
deployment in high-altitude regions.
• The LCH is armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns, rocket systems and
other weapons.
C-295 Transport Aircraft Manufacturing Facility
• Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of C-295 transport aircraft
manufacturing facility - the country’s first in the private sector - in Vadodara,
Gujarat on October 30, 2022. The facility will manufacture C-295 aircraft for the
IAF through collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus
Defence and Space S.A., Spain.
• This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be
manufactured in India by a private company. The total cost of the project is Rs
21,935 crore. The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well.
• It is a matter of utmost importance and great pride that all 56 aircraft will be
fitted with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite to be manufactured by Bharat
Electronics Limited & Bharat Dynamics Limited.
• Sixteen (16) aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition. They are scheduled to
be received between September 2023 and August 2025. Remaining forty (40)
will be manufactured at the Vadodara manufacturing facility. The first Made in
India aircraft is expected from September 2026.
Successful Firing Of Extended Range Version Of Brahmos
Air Launched Missile From Su-30 MKI
• Indian Air Force successfully fired the Extended Range Version of Brahmos Air
Launched missile against a Ship Target from a SU-30MKI aircraft. The missile
achieved the desired mission objectives in the Bay of Bengal region. With this,
IAF has achieved a significant capability boost to carry out precision strikes from
SU-30MKI aircraft against land/ sea targets over very long ranges.
• The extended range capability of the missile coupled with the high performance
of the SU-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF a strategic reach and allows it to dominate
the future battle fields. The dedicated and synergetic efforts of IAF, Indian
Navy, DRDO, BAPL and HAL have been instrumental in achieving this feat.
IAF To Weaponise Drones Under ‘Project Cheetah’
• The Union gov has put a hold on or canceled all major import deals, so the IAF is
now planning to move forward with Project Cheetah under the Make in India
plan. This means that Indian defence manufacturers will add strike capabilities
to Israeli Heron drones.
• Under the ambitious Project Cheetah, the IAF wants to improve its fleet of
Israeli-made Heron UAVs by adding better communication tools and missiles
that can hit enemy positions from far away.
• “Now, the IAF wants to upgrade its drones by working with Indian defence
companies under the Make in India in defence programme”.
• The IAF is in charge of the project that will give Israeli drones in the Navy and
Army the ability to attack and better pods for surveillance and reconnaissance.
• IAF Searcher II and Heron UAVs made in Israel have been used by all three
services for a long time to spy and do reconnaissance.
• With the improved ability to spy, the forces on the ground would also be able to
get precise information about hideouts in areas where men are needed for
operations.
• The upgrades would also make it possible for the ground stations to control
these planes from far away using a satellite communication system.
• The surveillance abilities of the UAVs that are going to be upgraded would be
the same as those of the ones that the Indian Army and IAF have been able to
buy because the government has given them emergency powers to buy things
because of the ongoing military standoffs.
Weapon Systems Branch in Indian Air Force
• Government has approved the creation of a new branch, called the Weapon
Systems (WS) branch. The creation of WS branch would entail unification of all
weapon system operators under one entity dedicated to the operational
employment of all ground-based and specialist airborne weapon systems.
• The branch would encompass operators in four specialised streams of Surface-
to-Surface missiles, Surface-to-Air missiles, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and
Weapon System Operators in twin/multi-crew aircraft. The branch will
contribute immensely by enhancing the war-fighting fighting capability of IAF.
IAF Chief Speech At IAF Day 2022
• During the celebration in Chandigarh, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, "This
will essentially be for manning of four specialised streams of Surface-to-Surface
missiles, Surface to Air Missiles, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Weapon System
Operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft."
• A weapon systems officer ("WSO“ or "wizzos") is an air flight officer directly
involved in all air operations and weapon systems of an aircraft. The WSO
integrates with the pilot to collectively achieve and maintain crew efficiency,
situational awareness and mission effectiveness.
• Weapon Systems Operators is responsible for the manipulation of complex
sensor suites and communications equipment to derive tactical and strategic
 intelligence to support the war fighter and military commanders. You can see
more about the role in the video above.
• The WSOs, also known as wizzos, are specialised officers who fly in the multirole
Su-30 fighter aircraft’s rear cockpit and control the sensors and armaments that
the aircraft will use to fire at hostile targets.
• The only female Weapon System Operator in the deadly Su-30 fighter fleet of
the IAF said that pilots in the eastern sector were prepared to respond to any
situation in the region and demonstrate their mettle in actual operations
despite the ongoing military deployment along the China front.
• The team observed the fighter aircraft activities of the Su-30 fighter aircraft,
which has been made more lethal with the introduction of new armaments and
electronic warfare systems, while on a visit to the Tezpur advanced air base in
the eastern sector, close to the China border.
Father-daughter Duo Creates History In IAF, Flies Same
Formation
• A father-daughter duo has created history in the Indian Air Force (IAF), when
they flew in the same formation here recently, IAF said on Tuesday. There has
not been any previous instance in the IAF where a father and his daughter were
part of the same formation for a mission.
• Air Commodore Sanjay Sharma and his daughter Ananya flew in the same
formation recently.
• "The father-daughter duo created history on 30 May 2022, when they flew in
the same formation of Hawk-132 aircraft at Air Force Station Bidar, where Flying
Officer Ananya Sharma is undergoing her training before she graduates onto
faster and more superior fighter aircraft of the IAF“.
IAF Will Get An LCA Trainer By 2023
• HAL has already begun producing LCA Tejas Trainer aircraft in FOC mode; the
first batch of 4 aircraft will be delivered this year, and Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited aims to finish delivering 14 additional aircraft by the end of 2023.
• IAF had ordered 4 LCA Trainers in IOC configuration and 14 Trainers in FOC
configuration in three batches, but all 18 will be in the chosen final
configuration.
• The launch of LCA LIFT, which will be utilised for demonstration and trials to suit
the requirements of the Indian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Egyptian Air
Force, and even Malaysia, may occur sometime in late 2025. LCA LIFT will be
based on the LCA Trainer aircraft.
• Malaysia has been offered 10 Tejas Mk1A and 8 LCA-Trainer aircraft to meet its
requirements for its Tender for 18 Light Combat Jets, As per Malaysian media
reports by August, it is expected that the winner of the tender will be
announced and the deal might be concluded sometime in mid-2023.
• HAL which claims to be a front runner in the Malaysian tender will deliver the
first batch of LCA-Trainer from 2026 onwards and later 10 Tejas Mk1A by 2028.
Philippines In Talks With India To Procure Advanced Light
Helicopters
• The Philippines is looking at procuring a batch of advanced light helicopters from
India to crank up its combat capability, months after sealing a USD 375 million
deal to acquire three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile.
• The indigenously developed ALH helicopter is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-
mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 ton weight class and is considered
to be an effective platform for various military operations.
• The Philippines is a key strategic partner of India in the Southeast Asian region
and the bilateral defence and security ties have been on an upswing in the last
few years, especially in the maritime domain.
• The Philippines is also a key member of the 10-nation Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), an influential bloc with whom India’s ties have
witnessed major expansion in the last one decade.
Two More Women Officers Enter IAF Stream
• Two women officers have made it to an elite air force stream dominated by men
for decades and have begun discharging their duties as flight test engineers –
professionals who are responsible for evaluating aircraft and airborne systems
before their induction into the armed forces, officials familiar with the
development said on Saturday.
• Squadron Leaders Bhoomika Paliwal and Renuka Dey are among the only three
women officers to have graduated as flight test engineers from the Air Force
Test Pilot School in Bengaluru in its 50-year history, the officials said. Last year,
Squadron Leader Aashritha V Olety became the air force’s first woman flight test
engineer.
• Excluding the medical wing in which women have been serving for decades, the
army accounts for around 7,000 women officers, while IAF and navy have more
than 1,600 and 700 women officers each. In percentage terms, women still form
a small part of the military – 0.56% of the army, 1.08% of the air force and 6.5%
of the navy.
CCS Clears Indigenous LCA Mark 2 Fighter Aircraft Project
• In a major boost to indigenous fighter aircraft development initiatives, the
Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday cleared the development of LCA
Mark 2 fighter aircraft which would be a replacement for the Mirage 2000,
Jaguar and MiG-29 combat aircraft in the IAF.
• Development of new aircraft is to be completed by 2027," Aeronautical
Development Agency chief Girish Deodhare told on the project.
• The DRDO would be developing the aircraft with a GE-414 engine which is the
advanced version of the GE-404s that power the existing LCAs in service and the
83 LCA Mark 1As which would start getting inducted into IAF in the next couple
of years.
IAF Retired Abhinandan Varthaman's Mig-21 Squadron
• The IAF is set to retire its Srinagar-based MiG-21 squadron 'Sword Arms' that
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was a part of when he downed an F-
16 combat aircraft of Pakistan a day after the Balakot strike in February 2019.
'Sword Arms' is one of its four remaining squadrons of ageing MiG-21 fighter
jets.
• The No. 51 Squadron retired in September 22, "as per the plan".
• The remaining three squadrons of MiG-21 will be phased out by 2025.
• The No. 51 Squadron or 'Sword Arms' is one of the decorated squadrons of the
IAF, and it participated during Op Safed Sagar (Kargil conflict) in 1999.
• It was raised at Chandigarh in 1985. The crest of the squadron portrays a pair of
muscular arms firmly clasping a sword, depicting the motto "Vijaya Prakrama"
which means 'Valour for Victory’.
 REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Ex ‘Pitch Black’ 22 Conducted b/w India &
A. Australia
B. Oman
C. UAE
D. Maldives
ANSWER: A

2. Ex ‘'Udarashakti’’ 2022 Conducted b/w India &

A. Malaysia
B. Oman
C. UAE
D. Maldives
ANSWER: A

3. MQ-9B Predator Is A
A. Helicopter
B. Machine Gun
C. Fighter Jet
D. Drone
ANSWER: D

4. AESA Stands For

A. Activated Electronically Scanned Array
B. Active Electronically Scanned Array
C. Active Electronics Scanned Array
D. None
ANSWER: B

5. Chinook Has Created A Flying Record By Completing A Non-stop Sortie In India,

Flying From
A. Jalandhar to Panipat
B. Jammu to Kashmir
C. New Delhi to Chennai
D. Chandigarh to Jorhat
ANSWER: D
6. Super Hornet Is Made By
A. Dassault
B. Boeing
C. Airbus
D. HAL
ANSWER: B

7. Joint Exercises B/w India And Japan Is Called:

A. Shinyuu Maitri
B. SLINEX
C. Indra
D. Yudha Abhyas
ANSWER: A

8. B-1B Lancer Is A
A. Bomber
B. Sniper Rifle
C. Anti-tank Guided missile
D. Communication satellite
ANSWER: A

9. Where Is The Hq Of The Eastern Command of The Indian Army?

A. Kochi
B. Vishakhapatnam
C. Kolkata
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: C

10. Novator KS-172 Is A

A. Air to Air missile
B. Sniper Rifle
C. Anti-tank Guided missile
D. Communication satellite
ANSWER: A

11. Which Of The Following Missiles Is Air To Air Missile?

A. Astra missile
B. Maitri missile
C. Nag
D. Nirbhay
ANSWER: A

12. Where Is The Hq Of The Maintenance Command of The IAF?

A. Kochi
B. Nagpur
C. Pune
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: B

13. The ALH MK III Helicopters Have Been Indigenously Manufactured By__.
A. Boeing
B. HAL
C. DRDO
D. Dassault Aviation
ANSWER: B

14. C-390 Millennium Is A Civilian Aircraft of

A. Qatar
B. China
C. Australia
D. Brazil
ANSWER: D

15. F 18 Super Hornet Fighter Aircraft Manufactured By

A. Boeing
B. Lockheed Martin
C. Airbus
D. HAL
ANSWER: A

16. Cabinet Committee on Security Is Headed By

A. PM
B. NSA
C. The President
D. COAS Indian Army
ANSWER: A
17. Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC) Is In
A. Air Force Station Chandinagar
B. Air Force Station Chandigarh
C. Air Force Station Chennai
D. Air Force Station Belgavi
ANSWER: A

18. The Indian Government Plans To Construct A 2,500-metre-long Airstrip On

Minicoy Island In
A. Goa
B. Mumbai
C. Lakshadweep
D. Kochi
ANSWER: C

19. IAF Heritage Centre Being Set In __ Has Received A Vintage Prototype Aircraft
“Kanpur-1”.
A. Kanpur
B. Chandigarh
C. Noida
D. New Delhi
ANSWER: B

20. Exercise Samanvay - 2022 Commenced At

A. Noida
B. New Delhi
C. Agra
D. Ladakh
ANSWER: C