Air Chief Marshall LM Katre Memorial Lecture Held at HAL Bengaluru

The 16th edition of the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture was held on 9 August 2025, at the HAL Management Academy Auditorium, Bengaluru. The event was organised by the Air Force Association, Karnataka Branch, in collaboration with HAL Bengaluru to reflect on the enduring legacy of Air Chief Marshal LM Katre and his lasting impact on Indian aviation. The gathering comprised veterans and personnel from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and allied aerospace industries.

The programme commenced with an invocation by students of the Air Force School, ASTE. Air Marshal HB Rajaram (retd), President of the Air Force Association (Karnataka), welcomed the audience and spoke about the genesis of the memorial lecture series. He highlighted the remarkable contributions of late Air Chief Marshal LM Katre in the development of Indian military aviation, during his career of over four decades.

The Chairman and Managing Director of HAL delivered a special address, highlighting the evolving HAL-IAF partnership. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), delivered the keynote address, wherein he lauded the successful completion of Op Sindoor, underscoring the primacy of Air Power in modern military conflicts, and its significance in national security. The CAS identified two key imperatives behind the success of Op Sindoor---synchronisation between military and political leadership with full freedom given to Armed Forces, and the decisive role of Air Power as the primary responder and deterrent. Looking ahead, he stressed on the importance of indigenisation, R&D, jointness and synergy to strengthen future capabilities.

A commemorative souvenir marking the 16th Katre Memorial Lecture was released by the chief guest during the event. On this occasion Air Cmde Chandra Shekhar (retd) was also felicitated by the CAS. The function concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Air Commodore AK Patra (retd), Vice President of the Air Force Association Karnataka Branch.