As India celebrates Air Force Day on October 8, 2025, the nation honors the courage, skill, and dedication of the men and women who defend its skies. This year, celebrations are highlighted by Operation Sindoor, a mission that exemplified the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational excellence and reflected the decade-long modernization and indigenization drive under the Modi government.

From its beginnings in 1932 with just six officers and four aircraft, the IAF has grown into one of the most technologically advanced air forces in the world, capable of projecting power across multiple domains, responding to crises, and protecting India with precision and courage. Operation Sindoor stands as a vivid testament to this evolution.

Operation Sindoor: A Bold and Precise Response

In May 2025, following the Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam Valley, the IAF launched Operation Sindoor—a surgical, high-precision air campaign. The mission targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoJK), dismantling infrastructure used by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The operation quickly escalated to 11 Pakistani Air Force bases, including Bholari, Nur Khan, and Sargodha, destroying runways, radars, hangars, and fighter jets, crippling nearly 20% of Pakistan’s operational air capability.

Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh described the strikes as “bold and precise”, restoring the role of offensive air action and delivering a “befitting response” to the Pahalgam attack. He emphasized that Operation Sindoor demonstrated how air power can shape military outcomes rapidly and decisively.

Precision Strikes and Record-Setting Long-Range Kills

Operation Sindoor also marked a historic milestone: the “longest kill” of over 300 kilometers using the S-400 missile system, a record-setting demonstration of operational reach, precision, and technological sophistication.

The IAF used BrahMos supersonic missiles, Harop loitering munitions, and AI-assisted targeting to neutralize enemy assets with unmatched accuracy, reinforcing India’s strategic deterrence and regional dominance.

Indigenous Technology and Atmanirbhar Bharat in Action

Operation Sindoor highlighted India’s drive for self-reliance in defense (Atmanirbhar Bharat). Indigenous systems like BrahMos missiles and the Akash air defense system delivered precise strikes, while AI-assisted targeting and ISRO satellite imagery enhanced real-time intelligence and operational precision. The S-400 system achieved the longest recorded kill, underlining India’s strategic air defense capability. ACM Singh noted that the success of these technologies confirmed India’s technological edge, reduced reliance on foreign platforms, and validated the operational effectiveness of domestic weapons.

Greetings to all the courageous Air Warriors and their families on Air Force Day. The Indian Air Force epitomises bravery, discipline and precision. They have played a vital role in safeguarding our skies, including during the most challenging situations. Their role during…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 8, 2025

Modernization Under the Modi Government: Strengthening India’s Air Power

The success of Operation Sindoor is closely linked to the IAF’s modernization under the Modi government. Indigenous platforms like the Tejas Mk-1A and Mk-2 fighters and the AMCA program have strengthened squadron capabilities while advancing self-reliance. Strategic foreign acquisitions such as Rafale jets, S-400 missile systems, and modern transport and refueling aircraft complemented these efforts, filling critical operational gaps.

Multi-domain integration—including AI, cyber capabilities, unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) like the DRDO Ghatak, and proposals to rename the IAF as the Indian Air and Space Force—reflects a forward-looking, technology-driven force. ACM Singh emphasized that Operation Sindoor validated this modernization, demonstrating joint operations, integrated planning, and cohesive execution across the armed forces.

Strategic Messaging and Regional Deterrence

Operation Sindoor sent a clear message to the region: India will respond decisively to cross-border terrorism and hold aggressors accountable. ACM Singh dismissed Pakistani claims of shooting down Indian jets as “Manohar Kahaniyan”, presenting clear proof of India’s operational success and challenging Pakistan to account for its own losses.

The operation strengthened India’s deterrence posture, demonstrated air dominance, and underscored the role of integrated, technology-driven warfare in modern strategic planning.

Air Force Day 2025: Celebrating Excellence

Air Force Day 2025 is not just a tribute to history—it is a celebration of modernity, technological prowess, and operational excellence. At Hindon Air Base, Ghaziabad, and other air stations across India, citizens witness Rafales, Sukhois, Tejas, and Mirage jets performing aerobatic displays, fly-pasts, and precision maneuvers.

Operation Sindoor sits at the heart of these celebrations, exemplifying precision strikes, air superiority, and the effective use of indigenous technology. It demonstrates that the IAF is not merely a protector of India’s skies—it is a strategic instrument capable of shaping regional security and delivering decisive results.

Legacy and Future of Indian Air Power

Operation Sindoor is a story of courage, innovation, and strategic foresight. It demonstrates the Indian Air Force’s ability to integrate cutting-edge technology, execute precise operations, and maintain air dominance, all while advancing toward self-reliance and modern warfare readiness.

As ACM Singh affirmed, the operation is a symbol of cohesion, integrated strategy, and operational excellence. On Air Force Day 2025, India honors a force that truly “Touches the Sky with Glory,” defending the nation and setting new standards in modern air power—a legacy rooted in history, soaring confidently into the future.