Indian Air Force Heritage Center
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first Indian Air Force Heritage Center at Chandigarh on 8 May 2023. This heritage center has been set up under an MoU between the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the Indian Air Force, which was signed last year. This center will be a great attraction not only for the people of Chandigarh but also for the people living in other states.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Banwarilal Purohit, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary and Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher. Rajnath Singh witnessed and appreciated the rich history of the Indian Air Force displayed at the Heritage Centre.
Indian Air Force Square of Heritage Center
The Indian Air Force Heritage Center is spread over an area of over 17,000 square feet. It is the first center to depict the role played by the Air Force in various wars including the 1965, 1971 wars and the Kargil war and Balakot air strikes through frescoes and mementos. This will become the center of a good message for generations to come.
Things located at the Indian Air Force Heritage Center
- The center also has flying simulators which will give the visitors the experience of flying. Attractions at the heritage center also include five vintage aircraft and SAM-3 Pechora missiles.
- A Hindustan Piston Trainer-32 primary flying training aircraft is displayed in the centre. The period of its operation in the Indian Air Force was from 1977 to 2009. A MiG 21 single seat fighter aircraft has also been displayed.
- Apart from this, Air Force Kanpur 1 built in 1958 by Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh has been displayed. A GNAT aircraft (Sabre Slayer) 1971 is also displayed here.
- The Center also has a special section dedicated to the women officers in the Indian Air Force for their contribution to the service of the nation.
- The center has Netra aircraft, Prachanda helicopters, Mi-26, MiG 29, indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft, C-130J Hercules, MKI aerial refueller, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, advanced light helicopter-Dhruv and integrated air command and control system workstations. There are also smaller models.
- The center showcases the glorious history of the Indian Air Force with the help of frescoes, which depict its various war missions, starting with the force's role in the Indo-Pak war of 1948. An audio-visual gallery will showcase the journey of the Indian Air Force.