New Delhi: Former Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd.), has made headlines today by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is likely to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He is expected to replace sitting MP and Union Minister General (Retd) VK Singh. Bhadauria’s induction into the party took place in the presence of BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde and Union Minister Anurag Thakur. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Bhadauria, a Rajput face, was born in Korath village of Bah Tehsil in Agra.
He served in the Indian Air Force (IAF) for over four decades, joining as a Wing Commander in 1999 and retiring as Air Force Chief in 2021.
Expressing his views after joining the BJP, Bhadauria highlighted his eagerness to contribute to nation-building, citing his positive experiences during the BJP government’s leadership. He praised the government’s initiatives aimed at empowering and modernizing the armed forces, emphasizing their impact on enhancing capabilities and confidence. Bhadauria particularly lauded the government’s efforts towards self-reliance in defense, envisioning its potential to elevate India’s global stature.
In 2022, the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appointed Bhadauria as the Chief Nodal Officer for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) initiative. Under UPDIC, overseen by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the objective is to foster the development of defense industries in Uttar Pradesh.
During his tenure in the IAF, Bhadauria demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation. He devised pioneering methods for conducting bombing missions from Jaguar aircraft using the Global Positioning System (GPS), significantly enhancing their capabilities during Operation Safed Sagar. His squadron’s groundbreaking contributions in adapting air-to-air missiles on Jaguar aircraft showcased his remarkable expertise and leadership, earning him the prestigious Vayu Sena Medal.
Bhadauria’s entry into politics signals a significant development, bridging his distinguished military career with a potential role in legislative governance, drawing attention from both political and defense spheres.
