India’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Jodhpur on Monday, will make its first public display during the 90th Air Force Day on October 8.
On the occasion, the IAF will conduct a parade and an air display over the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.
Announcing the decision, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said that three LCHs from the Jodhpur-based 143 Helicopter Unit will take off to Chandigarh.
Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari also said that a total of 83 IAF aircraft will be displayed during the parade and flypast in Chandigarh. “Seventy-four (out of 83) will be main aircraft while nine will be on standby,” ACM Chaudhari said.
Meanwhile, the IAF has announced that some of the force’s top fighter planes will be on display. Among them are the Rafale, Sukhoi 30 MKI, MiG 29, Mirage2K, and MiG 21, as well as the Tejas. The US-manufactured Chinook, which was inducted into the IAF in 2019, will also be taking part in the flypast.
During the Vajra display, three Rafale aircraft will come with three Mirage 2Ks with a speed of 780 kmph. Rafales will come from Ambala base, while Mirages will come from Adampur base in Jalandhar.
While saluting the chief guest, one of the Rafales will come from left to right and will do a vertical Charlie while dispensing the flares, which will also mark the culmination of the ceremony.