The Indian Air Force was established on October 8, 1932, during British rule. It was then known as the Royal Indian Air Force. After India gained independence, the word “Royal” was dropped from the name.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh arrived at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad in a vintage 1967 Ford Saloon. Inducted into the Indian Air Force on July 30, 1969, the car features a blue license plate with the number “IAF 1.” This left-hand drive vintage car became the center of attention as the Air Force Chief waved to the crowd from its window.
Manufactured in 1967, the Ford Saloon has served several Air Force Chiefs since its introduction in 1969. Air Chief Marshal PC Lal, who led the Air Force in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, was the first to ride this car in 1969. Between 1969 and 1992, the car was also used by several other Air Force chiefs. It was later presented by Air Chief Marshal Nirmal Chandra Suri and was included in the Air Force Museum at Palam, New Delhi.
The cream-colored 1967 Ford Saloon is powered by a 390 V-B engine, producing 315 bhp at 4600 rpm and is an 8-cylinder unit.
During his address at the Air Force Day celebrations, Indian Air Force Chief Amarpreet Singh praised the indigenously developed and integrated weapons. He also praised the meticulous planning, disciplined training, and determined execution of the Indian Armed Forces, which resulted in the success of Operation Sindoor.
Indian forces, after the Pahalgam attack , launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025 for destroying terrosrit bases in Pakistan . When the Pakistani Army targeted Indian civilian and military installations, the Indian Army retaliated by attacking Pakistani military installations. The Indian Air Force played a key role in this operation.
The Air Force Chief stated that the excellent display of indigenously developed and integrated weapons, which delivered accurate and devastating strikes deep into enemy territory, reinforces our confidence in indigenous capabilities.He said that Operation Sindoor is a shining example of what can be achieved through meticulous planning, disciplined training, and determined execution.
The Air Force Day 2025 celebrations also featured a display of the Heritage Flight (formerly the Vintage Aircraft Flight), a fleet of vintage aircraft that symbolizes the heritage of the Indian Air Force.
