One Year After The Navy, Indian Air Force Unveils New Ensign On Air Force Day

The Indian Air Force (IAF) introduced a new flag during a ceremony held today, on 8 October, as part of the Air Force Day celebration in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari unveiled the new ensign, which aligns more closely with the values of the air warriors.

The Air Force day also featured a special flypast at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj. The event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan, among other top military leaders.

This comes a year after (September 2022) Indian Navy also unveiled its new ensign taking inspiration from Chattrapati Shivaji in an effort to shed its colonial past.

The new IAF ensign features the IAF Crest and the words "Satyamev Jayate" written below the national emblem, the Ashoka Lion, in Devanagari script.

Below the Ashoka Lion is a depiction of a Himalayan eagle with outstretched wings, symbolising the fighting spirit of the IAF. Surrounding the Himalayan eagle is a light blue ring with the inscription "Bhartiya Vayu Sena."

The IAF's motto, "Touching the sky with glory," is written in golden Devanagari script beneath the eagle, inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.

The national flag occupies the first quadrant of the previous Air Force ensign, which is blue in color. In the center of this roundel are the saffron, white, and green colors of the national flag.

Previously, the Union Jack and the RIAF roundel (red, white, and blue) adorned the fly side of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) ensign. After India gained independence, these were replaced with the Indian tricolor and the IAF tricolor roundel, respectively, resulting in the creation of the Indian Air Force ensign.

Defense PRO Group Captain Samir Gangakhedkar stated, "A new IAF ensign has now been created to better reflect the values of the Indian Air Force. This reaffirmation will now be reflected by the inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner of the Ensign, towards the fly side."