On 90th anniversary, Indian Air Force unveils new combat uniform | What’s different
NEW DELHI,OCT 8 : The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday unveiled new combat uniforms for personnel as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations.
Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari revealed the first look of what is called a digitally camouflaged uniform for the air forces ground personnel. The combat fatigues now bear pixelated designs that are all-terrain friendly.
The idea is that people who operate in all environments air force is expected to operate. There is a huge variety in terms of mountainous region, deserts, snow-bound regions and these uniforms will help operate in these environments more effectively, said Wing Commander Ashish Moghe.
The IAF spokesperson said the new fatigues are made in India, bolstering the Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda. A committee was formed to study different patterns and it was decided that a transition would be made from the old camouflage pattern to a digital pattern.
It is not a tuck in uniform. There is a round neck t-shirt inside and the people who are working on the tarmac will have option of working with a T-shirt on to avoid heat conditions and enhance their working capacity, added Moghe.
On the occasion of the IAF’s 90th anniversary, Chief of Air Staff V R Chaudhari said the central government has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for IAF officers.
The new branch will essentially man the specialised streams of surface- to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and weapon system operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft, he said.
Creation of this branch would result in savings of more than Rs 3,400 crore due to reduced expenditure on flying training, the IAF chief said.
Chaudhari inspected a ceremonial parade that was held at the air force station in Chandigarh on Saturday morning to mark the IAF anniversary. It was followed by a march-past. Ensign formation performed by three Mi-17V5 did a fly-past when the IAF chief arrived.
Nearly 80 military aircraft and helicopters will participate later in the day in an Air Force Day fly-past at the Sukhna Lake complex here, an event which will be attended by President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
-PTI
