**Summary:**
The 16th edition of the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture was held on August 9, 2025, at the HAL Management Academy Auditorium in Bengaluru. Organized by the Air Force Association, Karnataka Branch, in collaboration with HAL Bengaluru, the event commemorated the legacy of Air Chief Marshal LM Katre and his contributions to Indian aviation. The gathering included veterans and personnel from the Indian Air Force, HAL, DRDO, and related aerospace industries.
Air Marshal HB Rajaram (Retd), President of the Air Force Association Karnataka, initiated the program by highlighting the genesis of the lecture series and Air Chief Marshal Katre's contributions to Indian military aviation. The Chairman and Managing Director of HAL spoke on the evolving HAL-IAF partnership. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, delivered the keynote address, commending the successful completion of Op Sindoor and emphasizing the role of air power in modern conflicts and national security. He identified synchronization between military and political leadership, freedom given to Armed Forces, and the decisive role of Air Power as key factors in Op Sindoor's success. He also stressed the importance of indigenization, R&D, jointness, and synergy for future capabilities.
A commemorative souvenir was released during the event, and Air Commodore Chandra Shekhar (Retd) was felicitated. The function concluded with a vote of thanks by Air Commodore AK Patra (Retd), Vice President of the Air Force Association Karnataka Branch.
Key Entities Referenced
Air Chief Marshal LM Katre: An Air Chief Marshal whose legacy is commemorated by the memorial lecture.
HAL Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, an aerospace and defense company in Bengaluru, Karnataka, co-organizer of the event.
Air Force Association, Karnataka Branch: Organizing body of the memorial lecture.
Indian Air Force: The air arm of the Indian Armed Forces, participating in the event.
DRDO: Defence Research and Development Organisation, an agency of the Department of Defence Research and Development in India.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh: Chief of the Air Staff, delivered the keynote address.
Op Sindoor: A successful operation lauded by the Chief of the Air Staff.
Air Force School, ASTE: School whose students commenced the programme with an invocation.
Ministry of Defence
16TH EDITION OF AIR CHIEF MARSHAL LM
KATRE MEMORIAL LECTURE AT HAL,
BENGALURU
Posted On: 09 AUG 2025 6:36PM by PIB Delhi
The 16th edition of the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture was held on 09 Aug 25, 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 of veterans and
personnel from Indian Air Force, HAL, 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 illustrious career spanning over
four decades, in the Indian Air Force and HAL.
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, 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.
th
A commemorative souvenir marking the 16 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.***
VK/JS/SM
(Release ID: 2154548)