PM Modi salutes Air Warriors on Air Force Day 2026
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, 2026, posted a tribute to India's Air Warriors on Air Force Day, honouring the Indian Air Force on its 94th Raising Day and saluting the force's commitment to protecting Indian skies.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi posted a tribute to the Indian Air Force on Air Force Day, October 8, 2026 .
The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932 , making 2026 its 94th Raising Day .
Modi's message saluted Air Warriors' 'courage and commitment to protect our skies.' The IAF guards one of the world's most strategically complex borders, spanning from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
Air Force Day is traditionally marked by an air display at Hindon Air Force Station near New Delhi.
Every year on October 8, India pauses to honour the men and women who guard its skies — and this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Air Force Day 2026 with a direct salute to the courage and commitment of the Indian Air Force's Air Warriors.
Posting on X on the morning of Thursday, October 8, the Prime Minister wrote: 'India is proud of our Air Warriors. On Air Force Day, we salute their courage and commitment to protect our skies!' The message, brief and unequivocal, placed national pride front and centre alongside a recognition of the IAF's operational mandate.
Air Force Day: what the occasion marks
The Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932, making this year's observance its 94th Raising Day. From its founding as a modest auxiliary of the Royal Air Force to its current status as one of the world's most capable aerial combat forces, the IAF's trajectory mirrors India's own strategic ambitions. The force today operates advanced fighter jets, strategic airlifters, attack helicopters, and a growing fleet of indigenously developed platforms.
The IAF's role in protecting Indian skies
The phrase 'protect our skies' carries operational weight: the IAF is responsible for air defence across one of the world's most complex strategic geographies, with active borders to the north and west that demand constant readiness. The force has been at the forefront of every major conflict and crisis since 1947, from the wars of the early decades to high-altitude standoffs in more recent years. Its Air Warriors — pilots, navigators, ground crew, and support personnel — number in the hundreds of thousands across bases spread from the Rann of Kutch to Arunachal Pradesh.
Air Force Day is typically marked by a formal parade and air display at Hindon Air Force Station near Delhi, drawing dignitaries and public alike. The PM's social media message amplifies that official recognition into a national moment.
On a day when jet engines roar over Hindon and the tricolour flies at IAF stations from Leh to Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister's salute is a reminder that the shield over every Indian city is held up by people who chose sky and service over safety.
Point of View
Particularly as border tensions and modernisation drives command public attention. The salute to 'Air Warriors' also subtly elevates the individual service member alongside institutional pride, a framing that tends to resonate broadly across the political spectrum and with veterans' communities.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Air Force Day celebrated on October 8?
Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8 because the Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932, as an auxiliary of the Royal Air Force. Every year on this date, the IAF marks its Raising Day with parades, air displays, and national tributes.
Which year is the IAF's Raising Day in 2026?
2026 marks the 94th Raising Day of the Indian Air Force, which was founded on October 8, 1932.
What did PM Modi say on Air Force Day 2026?
PM Modi posted on X: 'India is proud of our Air Warriors. On Air Force Day, we salute their courage and commitment to protect our skies!' The message was shared on the morning of October 8, 2026.
Where is Air Force Day parade held in India?
The main Air Force Day parade and air display is traditionally held at Hindon Air Force Station , located near Ghaziabad on the outskirts of New Delhi.
What is the role of the Indian Air Force?
The Indian Air Force is responsible for aerial warfare, air defence, and strategic airlift across India's vast and complex borders. It operates fighter jets, helicopters, transport aircraft, and a growing fleet of indigenously developed platforms, guarding airspace from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
