The Indian Air Force (IAF) today announced the conferment of the prestigious Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) to 26 officers and airmen, recognizing their exceptional bravery and strategic contributions in covert strikes inside Pakistan and robust defense operations that thwarted enemy attacks.
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The awards, revealed on the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, mark a significant public acknowledgment of high-stakes missions, reminiscent of the 2019 Balakot airstrike escalation.The list of awardees, detailed in an official document shared by ANI, includes fighter pilots who executed precision strikes on targets within Pakistani territory and personnel operating the advanced S-400 air defense system.
This system, part of India’s defense arsenal since its first deliveries in 2021, played a pivotal role in foiling all planned Pakistani offensives on Indian soil, according to the IAF citation. The S-400, dubbed “Sudarshana Chakra,” is renowned for its ability to counter low-observable threats, with a 2023 RAND Corporation study highlighting its effectiveness against aircraft like Pakistan’s F-16 jets during recent border tensions.
