Air Force Day in India, in Delhi

From the archive record

Is that an Ilyushin IL76 behind the air troopers or is it an Antenov? See the Indian Air Force in display action on Air Force Day at Hindon Air Force Base near Delhi. The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the Indian Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II. After India achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Dominion of India, with the prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950. Since independence, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan