Since its inception, the IAF has been at the forefront in the HADR (Humanitarian and Disaster Relief) operations, boasting of its legacy of being a swift responder to domestic and global calamities and crises. Apart from defending the nation and its airspace from air threats, providing strategic airlift and operating in close coordination with other wings of the armed forces, IAF assists civil power during natural calamities, evacuates Indian nationals from foreign countries in case of internal instabilities or other issues and assists the UN peacekeeping missions.
These non-combat operations and salvific roles across the world have helped the IAF project itself as a messiah. The HADR missions of the IAF amplify India’s vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. From Operation Poomalai, a humanitarian operation conducted during the Sri Lankan civil war to Operation Dost, following the earthquake in Turkiye are a testimony to India’s commitment to the idea of ‘the world as one family’.
IAF has been at the forefront in conducting rescue operations, delivering relief supplies to affected areas, airlifting stranded individuals, evacuating and providing personnel to the affected areas in countless domestic HADR missions as was evident during the Assam floods in 2000, Gujarat earthquake of 2001, 2004 tsunami in Tamil Nadu and Andaman & Nicobar islands, earthquake in Urusa sector of Kashmir in 2005, Kosi disaster of 2008, Andhra floods of 2009, Sikkim earthquake of 2011, Uttarakhand floods in 2013 and Kerala floods in 2018.
The rescue and relief operations and Non-Combatant Evacuation (NCE) missions conducted by the IAF abroad are many. Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, ‘Operation Kuwait airlift’ was initiated to airlift Indians stranded there. It had launched ‘Operation Rainbow’ and ‘Operation Castor’ in Sri Lanka and Maldives during the devastating tsunami of 2004, assisting rescue and relief measures. Under ‘Operation Maitri’ in 2015 in response to the earthquake in Nepal, ten teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were mobilised and evacuation of Indian and foreign nationals was facilitated. Engineering task forces and medical teams were also deployed and essential supplies were provided to the affected.
‘Operation Sukoon’, also called the ‘Beirut Sealift’ was launched in the backdrop of Israel-Lebanon war in 2006 while ‘Operation Safe Homecoming’ was carried out after a civil war broke out in Libya. Under the ‘Operation Rahat’ launched in 2015, over 4000 individuals were evacuated from conflict-stricken Yemen. The endeavour of ‘Operation Sankat Mochan’ carried out in response to South Sudanese civil war in 2016 facilitated swift and safe evacuation of Indian citizens as well as foreign nationals. Government had also launched ‘Operation Devi Shakti’ in 2021, ‘Operation Ganga’ in 2022 and ‘Operation Ajay’ in 2023 following Talibar takeover of Afghanistan, Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Palestine war respectively, and was aimed at safe evacuation of Indians.
Under ‘Operation Kaveri’ launched in 2023, a strategic manoeuvre was carried out by the IAF despite several odds to rescue around 121 individuals from the airstrip of ‘Wadi Sayyidna’ in Sudan, which was plagued by violence. Under ‘Operation Dost’ in the same year, rescue efforts and medical aids were facilitated by the Government of India following a deadly earthquake that ravaged both Turkiye and Syria. The HADR missions of the IAF to
cyclone-hit Sri Lanka in 2016, earthquake-hit Indonesia in 2018, cyclone-struck Mozambique in 2019 and flood-torn Madagascar in 2020 are also noteworthy.
The IAF is also credited for carrying out the largest civilian rescue of Indians stranded abroad due to COVID restrictions. Indian residents who had ‘compelling reasons to return’ out of job loss, or loss of a family member and other such reasons, were prioritised under the ‘Vande Bharat mission’. This became the largest operation the government has ventured on ever. Government had also launched ‘Operation Sanjeevani’ to carry medical aids to various countries while rations, medicine and essential supplies were also ferried across the country.
Apart from these, IAF is also called on by the UN for peacekeeping missions in conflict-ridden Congo, Sudan and Somalia, wherein it assists the UN troops with medical supplies, transportation and technical assistance. In response to the UN’s call for peace, IAF had deployed various types of aircrafts and aviation units to be employed in utility and attack operations if called for. Starting with a single contingent in 1961, the number of IAF missions under the UN increased to four by October 2005, with three in the Democratic Republic of Congo and one in Sudan.
Over 6,000 air warriors were deployed, accompanied by extensive aviation and support assets. During these missions, a total of 51,755 sorties (28,715 flight hours) were flown by
Mi-17 helicopters in utility roles, while attack helicopters (Mi-25/35) conducted 10,137 sorties (10,890 flight hours). Since 2005, in addition to aviation contingents, the IAF has also been deploying Aviation Staff Officers to United Nations peacekeeping missions, including UNMISS in South Sudan and MONUSCO in DR Congo, on an annual rotation basis. The professionalism of these personnel has been consistently praised by various UN officials, high-ranking foreign military commanders, and civilian dignitaries.
In Order to enhance its airlift and transport capabilities, IAF has integrated advanced aircrafts like the C-17 Globemaster III, Mi-17 V5 helicopters and C-130J Super Hercules and heavy-lift helicopters like Chinook which ensure quick delivery of relief supplies, evacuation and rescue even in the hard-to-reach terrains. These are equipped with leading-edge navigation systems and all-weather capabilities enabling operations in adverse conditions like harsh weather. Further, transport helicopters like C-17 are equipped with airdrop systems enabling the IAF to deliver supplies even in geographically challenging areas and some are conditioned with medical evacuation capabilities.
IAF works in close coordination with the NDRF and uses satellite-based communication for a seamless real-time information sharing between them. For better surveillance and reconnaissance, drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), through-wall imaging radars, thermal-imaging and night-vision goggles are employed as was seen in the rescue operations for Amarnath yatris following the flash-floods in Baital,J&K in 2022.
In addition, IAF also uses remote sensing, GPS and meteorological sensors. These technological advancements have changed the game of SAR operations in recent years.
However, HADR missions are often beset by a number of challenges. An unfavourable political and civil atmosphere at the destination, adverse weather conditions and other geographical challenges, logistical constraints, resource crunch and communication barriers often hinder the effective implementation of HADR operations.
There are certain inherent factors like physical and mental health of the crew, crew fatigue and technical issues which pose challenges to the missions. This calls for a need to provide specialised training to the personnel, conduct regular simulation drills, improve logistics and infrastructure by investing in modern equipment, better communication infrastructure and satellite technology for a smooth surveillance and reconnaissance and strengthening coordination with NDRF and IMD for better preparedness and effective responses to SAR missions.
Albeit, the contributions made by the IAF in disaster relief operations at home and abroad are commendable, carrying the message of peace and goodwill through its missions.
