‘Fight With Flight’: 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture highlights power of IAF legacy in modern warfare

Bengaluru: The 16th edition of the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture was held at the HAL Management Academy Auditorium, Bengaluru recently.

Organised by the Air Force Association (AFA), Karnataka Branch, in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the event paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Air Chief Marshal LM Katre and his significant contributions to Indian aviation.

The gathering brought together veterans and serving personnel from the Indian Air Force (IAF), HAL, DRDO, and allied aerospace sectors.

The programme began with an invocation by students of the Air Force School, ASTE.

Air Marshal HB Rajaram (Retd), President of AFA Karnataka, welcomed the audience and spoke about the genesis of the memorial lecture series.

He recalled the late Air Chief Marshal Katre’s pivotal role in advancing Indian military aviation during a distinguished career spanning over four decades in both the IAF and HAL.

The Chairman and Managing Director of HAL delivered a special address, emphasising the evolving HAL–IAF partnership.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, delivered the keynote address, lauding the successful completion of “Operation Sindoor” and underscoring the decisive role of air power in contemporary conflicts and national security.

He credited the operation’s success to two imperatives — synchronisation between military and political leadership with operational freedom to the Armed Forces, and Air Power’s effectiveness as both a primary responder and a deterrent.

Looking to the future, he stressed the importance of indigenisation, robust R&D, and jointness to enhance India’s defence capabilities.

A commemorative souvenir marking the 16th Katre Memorial Lecture was released by the chief guest during the event.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Air Commodore AK Patra (Retd), Vice-President of AFA Karnataka.