08-May; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first-of-its-kind Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre today at Chandigarh. It was set up under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the IAF which was signed last year. Spread over 17,000 square feet, this is the first heritage centre of the IAF and depicts its role in 1965, 1971 and the Kargil wars and the Balakot air strike through murals and scale models.The heritage centre has several attractions such as aircraft models, aero engines and weapons, including Gryazev-Shipunov twin-barrelled guns. It showcases augmented reality, hologram, virtual reality, and electro-mechanical enclosures, interactive kiosks highlighting various facets of the IAF. There are also flying simulators at the centre which will give flight experience to visitors. The attractions of the heritage centre also include five vintage aircraft and SAM-III Pechora missiles.A Hindustan Piston Trainer-32 primary flying trainer aircraft has been on display at the centre. Its period of operation in the Indian Air Force was from 1977 to 2009. A MiG 21 single-seat fighter has also been positioned.
