Palamadai Muthuswamy Ramachandran, PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM (24 February 1935 – 6 May 2021) was an Indian Air Force officer.
Ramachandran was commissioned as a pilot into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in 1955. He participated in the Liberation of Goa in 1961 where he destroyed the Portuguese patrol boat NRP Vega, for which he was awarded a Shaurya Chakra.
Ramachandran qualified as an experimental test pilot at the Empire Test Pilots' School in the UK, where he was awarded the Edward's Award for best all-around progress in the course. He then did extensive test flying at various Indian Air Force and HAL establishments, including on the Jaguar, MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-25 aircraft."Military Yearbook 1991-92" by J Baranwal (Ed), In 1979, Ramachandran became the first pilot from outside the Soviet bloc to be permitted to fly the MiG-25 Foxbat.
Ramachandran's command and staff appointments during his career include: Commanding Officer, 28 Sqn, IAF; set up and first Commanding Officer of the IAF Experimental Test Pilot's School; Commandant, Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment; Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Ambala and Vice Chief of Air Staff. As Vice Chief, Ramachandran was responsible for the operational deployment of India's short range ballistic missile, Prithvi."Weapons of Peace" by Chengappa, Raj,
Ramachandran was a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Member of the Aeronautical Society of India."Military Yearbook 1991-92" by J Baranwal (Ed),
Military awards and decorations Ramachandran was awarded the PVSM, AVSM, SC and VM in his career with the Indian Air Force that lasted almost four decades.
Param Vishisht Seva Medal citation
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal citation
Shaurya Chakra citation Air Marshal Ramachandran was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for operations during the Liberation of Goa. The citation reads as follows:
Vayu Sena Medal citation
Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Shaurya Chakra Vayusena Medal General Service Medal 1947 Samar Seva StarPaschimi StarRaksha MedalSangram MedalSainya Seva Medal25th Anniversary Independence medal30 Years Long Service Medal20 Years Long Service Medal9 Years Long Service Medal
References