From the forces : Indian Air Force History

Commands

WESTERN AIR COMMAND

The origin of the Western Air Command can be traced back to the nascent years of independent India, when the various formations of the Air Force were organised into two groups. These were the No 1 Operational Group which controlled all the flying units including the flying training units and the No2 Training Group responsible for the entire spectrum of training activities (except flying training) in the IAF.

On 22nd July 1949 the No 1 Operational Group was re-designated as the Operational Command. The Air Officer Commanding the Operational Command was then of the rank of an Air Commodore. This was upgraded to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in 1958 and later to the rank of Air Marshal. The Command assumed its present name of Headquarters Western Air Command on 10th June 1963, primarily as a consequence of formation of other operational commands and demarcation of specific areas of responsibility.

Headquarters Western Air Command , located at Subroto Park , New Delhi, has over 200 bases placed under its command and has been involved in all major operations in India since independence. Due to its geographical location the Command has always been the hub-centre of all operational activities during any operation. Some of the major operations handled are Kashmir Operations 1947-48, Sino-Indian Conflict 1962, Indo-Pak War 1965, Indo-Pak War 1971, Operation Pawan 1986 (Sri Lanka) and Operation Safed Sagar 1999 (Kargil).

EASTERN AIR COMMAND

With the rapid expansion of the Indian Air Force during the fifties, the command and control structure needed to be reorganised. This reorganisation led to the formation of No 1 Operational Group at Calcutta on 27 May 1958. This group was responsible for the operations of the IAF in the eastern as well as the central sector of the country.

The threat perception arising due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet necessitated the formation of a Command that could effectively oversee the operations of the IAF in the eastern region of the country. With this primary aim, the No 1 Operational Group was upgraded to Eastern Air Command on 01 Dec 1959 at Calcutta. During the Indo-China Ccnflict of 1962, practical experience highlighted the difficulty of Kolkata being the location of Eastern Air Command. In order to have more effective operational control over the region of the north-east, the Command Headquarters was shifted to Shillong on 10 Jun 63. Initially, HQ Eastern Air command was housed in the old buildings located at Nonglyer village at upper Shillong.

As the legend goes, the Nonglyer Village, location of HQ Eastern Air Command, was once inhabited by Khasi clan of Meghalaya. During the second world war, this was taken over by the Bristishers to develop a military base. It came under the possession of Indian Army after the Bristishers left in 1947 and was occupied by No 58 Gorkha Regiment. The Regiment moved out for an operation in the Chinese border in 1962 and did not return to their cherished abode of Upper Shillong. As a result, the 31.33 acre tom-shaded location with helipad was available for the EAC.

In 1980, decision was taken to maintain Shillong as the permanent location of HQs EAC. Thus, Air Chief Marshal IH Latif, PVSM, the then Chief of the Air Staff laid the foundation stone of the present three storied building, facing south west, adjacent to the old location, on 13 Oct 1980. The impressive mansion of Head Quarters EAC was completed in 1991. On 16 January 1991, Air Chief Marshal SK Mehra, PVSM AVSM VM ADC, the then Chief of the Air Staff inaugurated the building. The building architected by M/S Bengal Trading Syndicate consists of 270 rooms and 4 halls with Central heating system. Even with modesty, it could be claimed that the Head Quarters EAC building is the most beautiful outfit in all over Air Force today.

CENTRAL AIR COMMAND

With the rapid expansion of the Indian Air Force during the Fifties, the command and control structure needed to be reorganized. This re-organisation led to the revival of the No 1 Operational Group at Calcutta in 1958. This group was responsible for the operations of the IAF in the eastern as well as the central sector of the country. The areas of responsibility of this Operational Group were bifurcated and two separate commands were formed. The Central Air Command was formed at Rani Kuthee, Calcutta in Mar 1962. However with need to increase vigil along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Tibetan borders, Calcutta was considered inappropriate location for the Central Air Command Headquarters and it was relocated at Allahabad in February 1966.

The task assigned to this Command is to patrol the North Central sector of this country from Himachal border to Sikkim. The area assigned to command stretches from Bareilly/Agra in the North to Bihta/Darbhanga in the East from Indo-Nepal border in the North to Nagpur in the South.

SOUTH WESTERN AIR COMMAND

WHERE VICTORY IS A BYE WORD

Jai Shree Varte Veeram, meaning victory garlands the gallant, is a bye word to the soul and spirit of one of the most operational commands of the Indian Air Force, the South Western Air Command.

Originally established as No 1 Operational Group at Jodhpur on 21 Sep 1972, it was subsequently rechristened as the South Western Air Command on 23 Jul 1980. The operational area, carved out of the Western Air Command, included most of Rajasthan and the entire Gujarat. he crest of the South Western Air Command depicts the national emblem on the top as a pendant of a garland of flowers with "Dakshin Paschim Vayu Kaman" encrypted inside in a semi circle. The centre is adorned by a dagger with wings. At the base, under the inscription 'Bharatiya Vayu Sena', is a scroll with the command motto "Jai Shree Varte Veeram".

In a major expansion in the mid eighties, the units located at Pune and Mumbai were transferred from Central Air Command.

Goa area of Southern Air Command was also added to the jurisdiction of this Command. Thus, the entire south western area of the country came under the air defence umbrella of SWAC. Keeping in view the increasing operational importance of the command, it was decided by Air HQ to move the Command Headquarters from Jodhpur to Gandhinagar. The new HQ was inaugurated on 01 May 1998by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Keshubhai Patel. The grand ceremony held on the occasion included a fly past by fighters and helicopters, an aerobatics display by SU-30 and Surya Kiran aircraft and a free fall display by the Akash Ganga para-jumping team.

The old MLAs' Hostel in Sector - 9, Gandhinagar, where the SWAC HQ is situated, has been suitably renovated. With well equipped offices, properly maintained lawns and roads, and other facilities, it is a beautiful place to work in. The construction of new buildings and infrastructure work has started at Chiloda. In year or two HQ SWAC will shift to its new location near Gandhinagar.

South Western Air Command is dedicated to securing the inviolability of the Indian Skies and to ensure the integrity of airspace above the nation's land and sea territories within its area of responsibility. Since its inception, SWAC, one of the premier operational commands of the IAF, has ceaselessly operated in peace and war and has never let down its guard. Indeed, an Air arm can never afford to lessen its pace of operational activities and readiness, flying by day and night through all seasons. Avionics is developing at an ever quickening pace bringing into its fold a whole new breed of airmen with their astounding expertise, steely toughness and undaunted courage. Indeed South Western Air Command lives by its motto 'Jai Shree Varte Veeram'.

SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND

Introduction

Southern Air Command with its Headquarters at Trivandrum was born on 19 Jul 84 out of the changed geopolitical situation around Southern peninsula since early eighties Super Power rivalry in Indian ocean, attempts to destabilise the littoral states and continued ethnic problems in Sri Lanka compelled the defence planners to look afresh the Defence requirements of peninsular India in order toe ffectively defend the Island territories and protect our exclusive economic zones extending deep into the oceans. The need was felt to establish a full fledged Operational Air Command covering the geopolitical area of peninsular India extending to 18 deg N including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian sea. Accordingly, on 20 Jul 84, Smt lndira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of inaugurated of Headquarters Southern Air Command at Trivandrum at "Belhaven Palace", an old palace of Maharaja of Travancore located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city. Initially, the Command exercised control over 5 lodger units. In a short span of 15 years, the Command has grown and now has 17 lodger units under its jurisdiction.

Historical Background

A paper on formation of SAC was presented to the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on 10 Jul 84 and the sanction was obtained on 19 Jul 84. The Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi inaugurated the Southern Air Command Headquarters on 20 Jul 84 in the presence of the then Defence Minister Smt R Venkataraman. The CAS, Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh, first AOC-in-C of SAC, Air Marshal TJ Desa and a host of other Civilian and service officers were special invites to the solemn occasion.

With the increase in strength of personnel and operational importance, construction of permanent accommodation for the Command Headquarters was planned at Akkulam. Accordingly the construction of permanent Command Headquarters was completed and the Headquarters moved from Belhaven Palace to Akkulam on 08 Aug 1996.

TRAINING COMMAND

The Indian Air Force was born on 08 Oct 32, when the Indian Air Force Bill became an act. During the first six years of the existence of the IAF, it comprised of one squadron only. In Sep 39, when World War II broke out the IAF had a strength of 16 officers and 144 Hawai Sepoys. The pilots were trained at Cranwell (UK) and technical personnel were trained at the Aircraft Depot, Karachi. The technical training continued at the squadron under the supervision British non-commissioned officers. Specific training centres in India were not established.

With the advent of war and the learning of Japan towards the Axis powers, the latter was considered as a potential enemy. Therefore, need was felt to make IAF a self supporting force for the South Eastern Theatre of war. This led to the rapid expansion of the IAF. The target was fixed to have strength of 10 IAF Squadrons. With this expansion, the requirement of pilots and technical personnel increased. For the training of technical personnel, a technical training school was set up at Ambala in 1940.

Since prior to 1939, there was hardly any training carried out in India either of pilots or ground engineers, there was no organization at Air HQ level for this purpose. However, when it became impossible to send Indians to UK for training due to war, it was decided to create training facilities in the country itself.

To cater to meet the expansion of the IAF, a target of 300 pilots and 3000 technical personnel was fixed. Later on as the demand for ground technicians and non-technical personnel increased, the target was fixed at 2750 per month. To cope with such a large training commitment, a Directorate of Training was formed in Air HQ.

On the decision to expand the IAF, a Recruits Training Centre (for discipline, drill, etc.) and a non-technical training centre was formed at Lahore. No.1 Technical School at Ambala provided technical training. These training centres provided intensive training courses, designed to make the trainees fit to shoulder responsibilities as soon as they were posted to the Units after passing out. This system continued till 1947.

Independence of India and formation of Pakistan, led to the division of assets of the IAF in undivided India. Available for division were eight squadrons of single engined fighters (Tempest) and two squadrons of twin engined medium transport ac (Dakota). Two fighter & one transport squadrons were transferred to Pakistan and six fighters and one transport squadrons remained with India.

The training establishments were divided on the basis of the international boundary. Training establishments located within the dominion of India remained with India and those located in Pakistan went over to Pakistan. Since training was in progress at the time of partition, it was decided that until such time the current courses were completed joint training would continue. The joint training ceased by the end of Oct 47, when the trainees and staff joined their opted country.

On 15 Aug 1947, the Air Force Training Establishments located in India were:

(a) Initial Training Wing, Coimbatore formed on 11 Jul 46.

(b) Elementary Flying Training School, Jodhpur formed on Jul 42.

(d) No.1 Ground Training School, Jalahalli formed on Jul 47.

(e) No.2 Ground Training School, Tamabaram formed on Feb 47

No.2 (Indian) Group RAF located at Bangalore with Air Cmde Adams as AOC was responsible for training of the Air Force recruits and the ground training institutions as on the day of independent India. Both the flying training schools, however, remained under the direct control of Air HQ. On 15 Sep 1947, No.2(Indian) Group RAF was renamed as No.2(Training) Group RAF and Air Cmde Narendra took over as AOC on 03 Oct 47.

MAINTENANCE COMMAND

OUR MOTTO" ALWAYS FLYING IN THE SKY"

TO ENABLE IAF TO " TOUCHING THE SKY WITH GLORY"

Genesis

Maintenance Command, as most old timers would know, was formed at Kanpur on 26 January 1955, with Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh MBE PVSM as its first Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

Kanpur was hub centre of maintenance activities even before independence. The only Base Repair Depot (BRD) of the Indian Air Force existed at Kanpur, along with a Repair and Manufacturing Depot (RMD). A unit called Aircraft Manufacturing Depot (AMD) was subsequently added to undertake manufacture of AVRO aircraft. In the perspective of industrial revolution in India, when the role of IAF was more clearly defined, AMD was transferred to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This division of HAL is today known as Transport Aircraft Division, or HAL(TAD), and is based at Chakeri, Kanpur.

IAF, however, was poised to expand in times to come and

Kanpur alone could not absorb the futuristic industrial activities. Nagpur was eventually selected as the new site for setting up Maintenance Command Headquarters, knowing well that its satellite work-centres were destined to populate every nook and corner of the Indian territory.

The second AOC-in-C of Maintenance Command, Air Vice Marshal O P Mehra PVSM, who later became Chief of the Air Staff and subsequently occupied the distinguished offices of Governor of Maharashtra and Rajasthan, shared some of his expxeriences of establishing Maintenance Command Headquarters at Nagpur. He admitted that he was overwhelmed with the teething problems of setting up the headquarters at

Nagpur. At times, he wondered why this proposition was at all accepted. The story that came out was that the then Defence Minister, Shri YB Chavan, was very keen that one Air Force Command Headquarters should be established in Maharashtra, and Maintenance Command was thus selected. Government of Maharashtra had then promised that the old secretariat building of the erstwhile Central Provinces and Berar Government would be made available for the purpose, and that the huge amount of land alongside it could be used for other facilities.

Since, Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh was not keen to move to Nagpur, and since he had a lot of say in the affairs of Maintenance Command, the process of moving Maintenance Command Headquarters to

Nagpur was somehow delayed till he was due to retire. And then, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) OP Mehra recalls - “One fine morning, I was summoned to Air Headquarters by then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal AM Engineer DFC. He started the conversation by saying that I must have been aware that AVM Harjinder Singh was due to retire and that was I ready to accept this challenging appointment? Elated at the thought that I was picked up to walk into the shoes of the legendary figure, I considered the challenge worth accepting. Telephonic approval of Defence Minister was obtained and orders were handed over to me to be AOC-in-C of Maintenance Command with immediate effect. I proceeded to Nagpur in the IAF aircraft given to me by the Air Chief, without realising as to what was in store for me.” Nonetheless, founder father of Maintenance Command Headquarters at Nagpur had been born.

Setting up of Maintenance Command Headquarters was not exactly a bed of roses since the entire process was delayed and lot of loose ends had to be tied up. About his reception at
Nagpur as the new AOC-in-C, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) OP Mehra once again goes down the memory lane and recalls - “Taking over as AOC-in-C was a ceremonial occasion and a matter of pride for me. I was looking forward to a Guard of Honour on reaching Nagpur. When the doors of aircraft were opened at the tarmac, the Guard of Honour that was presented consisted of the then Senior Air and Administrative Staff Officer (SAASO), Air Commodore Aggarwal, two officers, one of whom was the OC unit and the other who was earmarked to be my ADC, and half a dozen airmen. It was bit of a disappointment but then I guess whatever had to be was to be.”

He continues - “Air Commodore Aggarwal then drove me to the headquarters which was just a dilapidated building, rented temporarily to house the headquarters. On further queries, I was told that there was no specific place earmarked for my office. I had to share the same table with SAASO for some time till they cleared a storeroom of size 10ft x 10ft for me. The man power was split between Nagpur and Kanpur. For residential accommodation, single officers did not have any Officers’ Mess, married officers and airmen were fending for themselves, and living-in airmen had been put up in a tented accommodation outside the Sitabuldi Fort occupied by the Army. I went to Air Headquarters and told the CAS that it was impossible for me, or for anybody else, to function under these conditions. We then went together to the Defence Minister. He sympathized with me but said that I had no option. He, however, assured me to provide all help.”

With that, the quest started for land and Mr Wankhade, the then Finance Minister of Maharashtra, was deputed to come to Nagpur to facilitate the process. He is understood to have directed the Commissioner that Maintenance Command Headquarters of the IAF was to be located in Nagpur and that same was to be housed wherever AVM Mehra wanted. AVM OP Mehra than carried out a reconnaissance of the area and then, on the local map, drew a circle around Seminary Hills. No questions were raised and the planning started. For his residence, the new AOC-in-C selected a house which happened to be used by the Chief Minister during the assembly session at
Nagpur. Air Chief Marshal (Retd) OP Mehra says – “This time round, I was not so lucky, and Shri YB Chavan told me that the old man (Chief Minister) could not be deprived of the privilege and that I should select another house. Eventually, I chose another house which was equally magnificent and still proudly stands out in Civil Lines as Air Command House.”

For the headquarters building, a team of engineers was formed and, on 01 April 1964, Air Vice Marshal OP Mehra PVSM, the second AOC-in-C of Maintenance Command, IAF, dug the first pod of earth at the site where the Maintenance Command Headquarters building now stands in all its splendor. The entire project was executed in a time bound manner. The barracks, dining facilities, medical facilities and the administrative unit came up by
19 January 1965, the date which AVM Mehra had targeted . The headquarters building finally came up on 15 August 1965. The same, however, could not be formally inaugurated by any dignitary due to the Indo-Pak war, and it still remains that way even today. Nonetheless, a well planned campus now stands as Vayusena Nagar, thanks to determination of AVM OP Mehra.

The retired Chief of Air Staff concludes his memoirs thus – “The dedication of the technicians shown during the Indo-Pak war still remains the hallmark of the tenacity and versatility of IAF technicians, well emulated over the years and now an attribute of an air warrior donning the technician’s overall. The extensions granted to aircraft after essential checks in those days later became Technical Staff Instructions, a guideline for engineers, which are being followed even now during war and war like situations.”

Phoenix was a legendary bird that lived in Arabia. According to tradition, the phoenix consumed itself by fire every 500 years, and a new, young phoenix sprang from its ashes. In the mythology of ancient Egypt, the phoenix represented the Sun, which dies at night and is reborn in the morning. Early Christian tradition adopted the phoenix as a symbol of both immortality and resurrection. The ancient concept of the Phoenix is, in many ways, the essence of the mythological treatment of themes of renewal and rebirth, particularly considering the emphasis on fire, metaphorically the spark of life and, practically essential for existence.

In May 1978, Air Mshl D Subia PVSM VrC, AOC-in-C, MC used this philosophy to give the Base Repair Depots a uniform UNIT CREST and MOTTO. The genuinely unique crest depicts the mythical bird PHOENIX rising out of the flames with a gear wheel encircling its head. The motto inscribed on the insignia is KAYA KALPA which indicates rejuvenation of the body and explains the role of the Base Repair Depots where aircraft, aero engines and other technical equipment, having completed certain life, are overhauled and sent out with a new lease of life. 1 BRD, the mother BRD, however, has been allowed to retain its original motto of SAHAYATA SEVA.

Evolution & Expansion
Maintenance Units

Technical activities undertaken by Maintenance Command units are effected today in Base Repair Depots (BRDs), Air Defence Ground Environment Systems (ADGES) Maintenance Support Establishment (AMSE) / Regional ADGES Maintenance Establishments (RAMEs) and numerous other smaller units. The present structure of Maintenance Command, however, had its modest beginning in post-independence Kanpur.

To support air operations in the Far East during World War II, No. 322 Maintenance Unit was formed in 1940 in the 21 TATA hangars at Chakeri, Kanpur. The functions of the unit included arming of bomber and fighter aircraft like Liberator, Lancaster, Hurricane, Tempest and Dakota. The unit was further expanded to include aircraft storage and servicing activities, while the logistics support and aeroengine storage functions operated at Armapur Estate, 25 km away from Chakeri. In August 1945, after Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces and hostilities came to an end, this No. 322 Maintenance Unit was disbanded and Royal Air Force Station, Kanpur came into formal existence.

On 15 August 1947, the historic day of India’s independence, Wing Commander Ranjan Dutta DFC took over the command of Air Force Station,Kanpur from the Royal Air Force. Simultaneously, on this very day, No. 1 Aircraft Repair Depot for servicing and No. 10 Aircraft Storage Unit for storage activities were formed at Chakeri,Kanpur. Group Captain DAR Nanda became the first Commanding Officer of both these units. On 09 August 1948, the two units were merged to form No. 1 Base Repair Depot, Group Captain Harjinder Singh MBE PVSM being the first Commanding Officer of this new unit. Nostalgic moments included induction ofIndia’s first jet aircraft, the Vampire, in 1954 and the Depot effecting its major servicing in that very year. Flying Officer Gian Singh still remains a much-remembered name who used to regularly ferry in the Vampire aircraft for servicing at Hangar No. 6 of the Depot.

Over the years, 1 BRD repaired and serviced a variety of aircraft, such as the Tempest, Spitfire, Prentice, Auster, Harvard, Mystere, Toofani, Otter, Bell Helicopter, Vampire, Hunter and Avro aircraft, and also overhauled Martin, Griffen, Nene, Verdon, Goblin MK-34-35, Avon 203-207 and AL-7F-1 aeroengines. Reclaiming 50 Liberators from junkyard became the first feather in the Depot’s cap. The Depot proved its expertise once again when a written-off Spitfire aircraft was retrieved from salvage dump and made airworthy by Pilot Officer Roy Chowdhury in 1950. In fact, Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh MBE PVSM was the first engineering officer to fly that fighter aircraft. With this kind of work being effected, it is natural that this BRD is still known as The Mother BRD. The Depot, for a long time, also had storage flights of MiG-21 and Mirage-2000 aircraft. Today, this BRD is engaged in a dedicated task of major servicing of AN-32 transport aircraft and storage of HPT-32 aircraft and MI-17 helicopter. For its contribution to the IAF, 1 BRD is being awarded President’s Colours on 01 November 2004.

IAF was destined to grow big, and as the Government of India concentrated on having more formidable Armed Forces, Maintenance Command for the IAF was formalised. 26 January 1955 was then chosen as the day to commence IAF’s Maintenance Command with its Headquarters at Chakeri, Kanpur. On 27 June 1959, the Transport Aircraft Wing at Kanpur took to the task of licence manufacturing of Avro HS-748 aircraft. This part of the station, christened Aircraft Manufacturing Depot, later separated as a new entity that we know as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (Transport Aircraft Division). Maintenance Command moved its headquarters from Kanpur to Nagpur on 13 June 1963.

Overhaul requirement of transport and helicopter fleet of the IAF necessitated setting up of No. 3 Base Repair Depot at Chandigarh on 20 August 1962. Group Captain TMJ Kirpalani, the Depot’s first Commanding Officer, set up the requisite facilities with Russian collaboration, and commenced the first of the overhauls of the IL-14 transport aircraft and the MI-4 helicopters. With induction of new helicopters in IAF, the Depot graduated to overhaul of MI-8 and MI-17 helicopters. In fact, the Depot has today become the knowledge base for all Russian helicopters, and has undertaken number of tasks like life-extension of MI-25 helicopters, repair of MI-26 helicopters and upgrade of MI-35 helicopters.

3 BRD is also a unique Base Repair Depot which undertakes overhaul of helicopters as well as aeroengines. At present, it overhauls TV-2 engines of MI-8 and TV-3 engines of MI-17 helicopters. Overhaul of AI-20M engines of AN-12 aircraft was also established at this Depot. It is a testimony to the ingenuity of technical personnel of 3 BRD that the depot has graduated to overhaul of AI-20D engines of AN-32 aircraft on their own without any Transfer-of-Technology from Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Over the seventeen years of its existence, No. 1 Base Repair Depot had expanded its facilities to service and overhaul a variety of aircraft and aeroengines. With this increased scope of work, aereoengine related activities were delinked from this Depot and in 1964, No. 4 Base Repair Depot came into existence, at Chakeri, Kanpur itself, as a dedicated aeroengine overhaul agency for IAF’s fighter aircraft. Group Captain AS Srivastava was this Depot’s first Commanding Officer. The Depot has since graduated from Nene, Verdon and AL-7F-1 aerongines to Viper 22-8 aeroengine of Kiran aircraft, R-29 aeroengine of the MiG-23 and the MiG-27 aircraft, and state-of-the-art M53-P2 aeroengine of the Mirage-2000 aircraft. 4 BRD today boasts of having repaired and overhauled over 6000 aeroengines of all types, including over a 1000 each of Viper 22-8 and the R-29 aeroengines.

Maintenance Command was set up to provide maintenance support to operating bases both by undertaking overhaul and repair of aircraft, aeroengines, ground requipments, radars and missiles and warehousing of stores required during peace and war. These works are undertaken by Base Repair Depots (BRDs), Equipment Depots (EDs) and Air Storage Parks (ASPs). These units havemost modern andstate of the art equipment to undertakerepair and overhaul of various weaponsystems.The stores are also well preserved under controlled environment to accrue the most of storage life.These equipments are maintained by highly skilledtechnicians and officers.

Maintenance Command, IAF undertakes activities related to procurement of various types of items from Civil Vendors. The purpose of this Web page is to apprise the various manufacturers and suppliers about the procedures adopted for procurement of items. The Air Force considers each vendor as an ambassador of the good will of the Air Force and makes every supplier aware of the existing transparent system of procurement.

At HQ MC, IAF there are two agencies who process procurement related activities. For all imported items, where indigenisation through a vendor is being attempted for the first time, matters thereof are dealt by Command Indigenisation Officer. His Telephone and Fax Nos are 0712-602216 and 0712-537189. For all bulk procurement of indigenised items including clothing, Mechanical Transport spares, Tyres, Batteries etc are dealt by CLMO (Purchase). His Telephone and Fax Nos are 0712-602305 and 0712-532245.