Bharat Arsenal Indexवीरभोग्या वसुन्धरा
Operation Vijay (1999) · May – July 1999Operation Blue Star · 1–8 June 1984Operation Vijay (1961) · 18–19 December 1961Operation Sindoor · 7–10 May 2025Operation Bandar · 26 February 2019Operation Polo · 13–18 September 1948Operation Meghdoot · 13 April 1984 — presentOperation Trident · 4–5 December 1971Operation Pawan · 1987 – 1990Operation Safed Sagar · 26 May – 26 July 1999Operation Python · 8–9 December 1971Operation Cactus · 3–4 November 1988Operation Ganga · February – March 2022Operation Parakram · December 2001 – October 2002Operation Sankalp · June 2019 — presentOperation Raahat · April 2015Operation Talwar · May – July 1999Operation Devi Shakti · August 2021Operation Kaveri · April – May 2023Operation Maitri · April – May 2015All 20 operationsIndian Army · Service Before SelfIndian Navy · May the Lord of the Oceans be Auspicious Unto UsIndian Air Force · Touch the Sky with Glory163 platforms catalogued63% built in India22 systems inducting or in development18 supplier countries
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Humanitarian reliefIAFArmy#20 of 20

Operation Maitri

मैत्रीFriendship

First responders on the ground within six hours of the Gorkha earthquake.

Dates
April – May 2015
Theatre
Nepal
Services
IAF · Army

Summary

Operation Maitri (Operation Friendship) was a rescue and relief operation in Nepal carried out by the Government of India and Indian armed forces in the aftermath of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. The Indian government responded within few minutes of the quake. It started on 26 April 2015 and also involved Nepali ex-servicemen from India's Gurkha Regiments for interface for guidance, relief and rescue.

Objective

Provide search, rescue and medical relief after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake of 25 April 2015.

Outcome

Aircraft were airborne within hours and engineer and medical task forces followed. The scale of the response, and the friction it eventually caused in Nepal, together shaped how India has framed disaster assistance since.

Equipment

What it was conducted with

6 catalogued platforms recorded as taking part. Not exhaustive — it lists what this catalogue holds, not everything that was fielded.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III T-1 flies over Owens Valley, California, for a test sortie. Edwards Air Force Base, California, welcomed home the aircraft
ActiveUnited States

Indian Air Force

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The strategic lift that reaches Ladakh.

Role
Strategic and tactical airlifter
In service
2013 — present
A U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircraft (s/n 97-1351) from the 135th Airlift Squadron, 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard stationed at Wa
ActiveUnited States

Indian Air Force

Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

Medium-size American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.

Role
Military transport, aerial refuelling aircra
In service
2011 — present
Ilyushin Il-76 MD-90A reg. flying
ActiveSoviet Union / Russia

Indian Air Force

Ilyushin Il-76

Gajraj

Multi-purpose, fixed-wing, four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter designed by the Soviet Union's.

Role
Strategic and tactical airlifter
In service
1985 — present
Russian Air Force Mil Mi-17
ActiveSoviet Union/Russia

Indian Air Force

Mil Mi-17V-5

The medium-lift helicopter the IAF runs on.

Role
Utility, transport, armed capable helicopter
In service
2011 — present
Hindustan ALH Druv helicopter (code J4042) of the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, Glouce
ActiveIndia

Indian Air Force

HAL Dhruv

ALH Dhruv

The indigenous workhorse flown by every Indian service.

Role
Utility helicopter
In service
2002 — present
AirMark Antonov An-32
ActiveSoviet Union/Russia/Ukraine

Indian Air Force

Antonov An-32

Sutlej

Turboprop twin-engined military transport aircraft.

Role
Military transport aircraft
In service
1984 — present