The Indian Air Force (IAF) has played a pivotal role in Operation Brahma. This was a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission. It was launched by India to support Myanmar following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28, 2025. This operation shows India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy. It embodies its ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family). India is positioned as a first responder to regional crises.
Immediate response to provide aid
The IAF’s response was immediate. The first C-130J military transport aircraft departed from Hindon Air Force Station. It left at around 3:00 AM IST on March 29, 2025. This was just a day after the earthquake. This swift action, carrying approximately 15 tonnes of relief materials, reassured the affected population that help was on the way. The aid included essential supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, and blankets. It also had ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, solar lamps, generator sets, and medicines. India’s envoy to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur, handed these items over to Yangon’s Chief Minister, U Soe Thein.
Despite the challenges, the IAF escalated its efforts throughout the day, conducting multiple sorties to deliver additional aid and personnel. Two C-130J aircraft landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s capital. They carried an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team. This team was equipped with specialised rescue equipment like concrete cutters and drill machines. They also had trained canines for search-and-rescue operations. These flights also transported further relief supplies, totalling around 10 tonnes on the second aircraft alone. The NDRF team was received by Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur. Myanmar’s Ambassador-at-Large Maung Maung Lynn also welcomed them. They proceeded to Mandalay, the city hardest hit by the quake. The NDRF began rescue operations there on March 30. This team is actively engaged in rescue operations. They are assisting approximately 170 monks who are stranded at the U Hla Thein monastery in Myanmar.
Multiple C-17 air crafts to deliver aid
Additionally, two IAF C-17 aircraft were deployed, airlifting a 118-member Indian Army Field Hospital unit from Agra to Mandalay. This team included women and childcare services. They established a 60-bed medical treatment center. The purpose was to provide first aid, emergency medical services, and surgical care to earthquake victims. This significant step reassured the affected population that they were not alone in their time of need. An additional 60 tonnes of relief materials accompanied this unit. This brought the total assistance delivered by air to over 96 tonnes within the first 48 hours of the operation. By March 30, 2025, five IAF relief flights had landed in Myanmar, showcasing the force’s rapid response capabilities.
The IAF was swift, relentless, and coordinated. Their effort ensured that critical supplies and personnel reached Myanmar within hours of the disaster. This reinforced India’s role as a regional leader in humanitarian relief. The operation continues to evolve, with more aid planned based on Myanmar’s needs, as confirmed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They expressed solidarity with Myanmar’s people. This happened during a call with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on March 29. This ongoing commitment gives hope for the recovery and rebuilding of Myanmar.
