Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force
Image:IAF Logo.svg
Establishment October 081932 Head Quarters New Delhi Size Personnel: 110,000+ Aircraft: 1,000+ Motto नभः स्पर्शँ दीप्तम Nabha Sparsham Deeptam Sanskrit: Touch the Sky with Glory Part of Indian Armed Forces Insignia Ensign Image:IAF Crest.svg Crest Roundel Fin Flash Commanders Civilian leadership President Pratibha Patil (Commander-in-Chief) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Min. A.K.Antony (Min. of Defence} Military leadership Marshal Arjan Singh (Honorary) Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major (Chief of Air Staff) Aircrafts Combat Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, Mirage 2000H, Mig-29, Sepecat Jaguar, Mig-27, Mig-23, Mig-21 Helicopters Dhruv, HAL Chetak, HAL Cheetah, Mi-17, Mi-8, Mi-24/35, Mi-26 Trainers BAE Hawk, Sitara, Deepak, Kiran Transport IL-76MD, An-32, Avro 748, Dornier 228, Boeing 737, Gulfstream III, ERJ-135

Indian Armed Forces

Emblem Triservices Crest.
Military Man Power
Total armed forces	2,414,700 (Ranked 3rd)
Active troops	1,414,000 (Ranked 3rd)
Total troops	3,773,300 (Ranked 6th)
Paramilitary forces	1,089,700
Components
Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Indian Navy
Indian Coast Guard
Indian Paramilitary Forces
Strategic Nuclear Command
History
Military history of India
Ranks
Air Force ranks and insignia of India
Army ranks and insignia of India
Naval ranks and insignia of India

The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. It was established on October 8, 1932 as the Indian Air Force. It was granted the prefix "Royal" in 1945 in recognition of its services during the Second World War. The prefix Royal was dropped after India became a Republic in 1950. With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force has a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,350 combat aircraft (2006 figure) making it the fourth largest air force in the world.^[1]

Contents 1 History 1.1 World War II (1939-1945) 1.2 First Kashmir War 1947 1.3 Congo Operation 1961 1.4 Indo-China Conflict 1962 1.5 Second Kashmir War 1965 1.6 Growth and Re-organization (1965 - 1972) 1.7 Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 1.8 Operation Meghdoot 1984 1.9 Operation Cactus 1988 1.10 Kargil 1999 1.11 Atlantique Incident 2 IAF air staff 2.1 Rank structure 2.1.1 Officer 2.1.2 Airmen 3 Structure of the IAF 3.1 Commands 3.2 Aerospace Command 3.3 Wings 3.4 Squadrons 4 IAF Bases 4.1 Western Air Command 4.2 Eastern Air Command 4.3 Central Air Command 4.4 Southern Air Command 4.5 South Western Air Command 5 IAF Aircraft 5.1 Air superiority and Multirole Combat aircraft 5.2 Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft 5.3 Reconnaissance and Airborne Early Warning Aircraft 5.4 Unmanned aerial vehicles 5.5 Support helicopters 5.6 Training aircraft 5.7 Aircraft inventory 5.7.1 Combat Aircraft 5.7.2 Helicopters 5.7.3 Transport Aircraft 5.7.4 Trainers 6 Future Aircraft 6.1 Under Development 7 Weapons 7.1 Air to Air Missiles 7.2 Air to Surface Missiles 7.3 Surface to Air Missiles 7.3.1 Future Surface to Air Missile Systems 7.4 Surface to Surface Missiles 8 In Fiction 9 Gallery 10 References 10.1 Videos 11 External links 12 See also

History

Main article: History of the Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force's No.1 Squadron came into being on April 1 1933. Initially, the IAF consisted of five Indian pilots, one RAF Commanding officer and four Westland Wapiti biplanes.

World War II (1939-1945)

Main article: India during World War 2

During World War II, the IAF played an instrumental role in thwarting the advance of the Japanese army in Burma, where its first air strike was on the Japanese military base in Arakan. It also carried out strike missions against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.

First Kashmir War 1947

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, the IAF conducted a paratrooping operation from Safdarjang, then known as Willingdon Airfield, to Srinagar airfield at 09:30 hours IST on October 27. This was the most instrumental action of the war as the paratroopers played a crucial role in blocking the advance of Pakistan backed terrorists and Pakistani regular soldiers in the disguise of tribals.

Congo Operation 1961

Main article: Congo Crisis

Belgium's 75-year colonial rule of the Congo ended abruptly on June 30, 1960. Unable to control the deteriorating situation in its former African colony, Belgium asked the United Nations for assistance. India was one of the first UN-members to respond to the initial appeal for help and sent IAF Canberra aircraft as a part of the UN-led mission in Congo.

Indo-China Conflict 1962

Main article: Sino-Indian War

In 1962, in the spate a number of increasingly violent border clashes, China launched a sudden assault on Indian military ground positions in the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The IAF was called to counter-attack the Chinese raid and to supply troops fighting near the Sino-Indian border. However, the military and civilian leadership failed to organise and co-ordinate the air assaults efficiently – one of the primary reasons for the Indian defeat in the conflict.

Second Kashmir War 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Growth and Re-organization (1965 - 1972)

After the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the IAF underwent a series of changes. In 1966, the Para Commandos regiment was created. With an intention of increasing its logistics supply and rescue operations ability, the IAF inducted 72 Avro 748s which were built by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) under license from Avro. The aircraft were modified to play a variety of roles and were fitted with a large radome to act as a Airborne Early Warning platform. India started to lay more stress on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft. A total of 147 HAL HF-24 Marut, designed by famed aerospace engineer Kurt Tank, were inducted into the air force. HAL also started working on a new improved version of Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet. During the late 1960s, the IAF also started inducting MiG-21s and Sukhoi Su-7s fighters which had a top speed of Mach 2. The induction of these advanced fighter jets was the beginning of close collaboration between India and the Soviet Union. With Soviet help, coupled with increasing role of Hindustan Aeronautics, the Indian Air Force was now rated as one of the most sophisticated air forces in Asia.

Bangladesh Liberation War 1971

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

The professional standards, capability and flexibility of the newly re-organized Indian Air Force were soon put to test in December 1971 when India and Pakistan went to war over erstwhile East Pakistan. At the time, the IAF was under the command of Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal. On November 22, 10 days before the start of a full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions near the Indian-Bangladeshi border in the Battle of Garibpur, and hostilities commenced. In what became the first ever dogfight over Bangladeshi skies, three of the 4 PAF Sabres were shot down by IAF Gnats. December 3 saw the formal declaration of war following massive, but failed preemptive strikes by the Pakistan Air Force against Indian Air Force installations in the west. The PAF targets were against Indian bases in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur on the lines of Israeli Operation Focus. But the plan failed miserably as Indians had anticipated such a move and no major losses were suffered. The Indian Air Force was quick to respond to Pakistani air-strikes. Within the first two weeks, the IAF had carried out more than 4,000 sorties in East Pakistan and provided successful air cover for the advancing Indian army in East Pakistan. IAF also assisted the Indian Navy in its operations against the Pakistani Navy and Maritime Security Agency in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. In the west, the air force destroyed 50 tanks and 40 APCs in the famed Battle of Longewala. The IAF pursued strategic bombing by destroying oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and gas plant in Sindh.^[2] As the IAF achieved complete air superiority over the eastern wing of Pakistan within a few days,^[3] the ordnance factories, runways, and other vital areas in East Pakistan were severely crippled. In the end, the IAF played a pivotal role in the victory for the Indian Armed Forces leading to the liberation of Bangladesh. In addition to the overall strategic victory, the IAF had also claimed 94^[4] Pakistani aircraft destroyed, with 45 IAF aircraft lost. The IAF had however, flown over 7000 combat sorties on both East and West fronts and its overall sortie rate numbered over 15000. Comparatively, the PAF was flying fewer sorties by the day fearing loss of planes. Towards the end of the war, IAF's transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to surrender; East Pakistani sources note that as the leaflets floated down, the morale of the Pakistani troops sunk.^[5]

See also: Operation Chengiz Khan, East Pakistan Air Operations, 1971, Helibridge over Meghna, Tangail Airdrop, and Battle of Hilli

Operation Meghdoot 1984

Main article: Operation Meghdoot

Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the preemptive strike launched by the Indian Military to capture most of the Siachen Glacier, in the disputed Kashmir region. Launched on April 13, 1984, this military operation was unique as it was the first assault launched in the world's highest battlefield. The military action was quite successful as Indian troops managed to gain two-thirds of the glacier with the rest coming under Pakistani control.

Operation Cactus 1988

Main article: Operation Cactus

In November 1988, the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) comprising about 200 secessionists invaded Maldives. At the request of the President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Indian Armed Forces with assistance of R&AW launched a military campaign to restore government rule in Maldives. On the night of November 3, 1988, the Indian Air Force airlifted a parachute battalion group from Agra and flew them non-stop over 2,000 kilometres (1,240 mi) to Maldives. The Indian paratroopers landed at Hulule and secured the airfield and restored the Government rule at Malé within hours. The brief, bloodless operation, labelled Operation Cactus, also involved the Indian Navy.

Kargil 1999

Main article: Operation Safed Sagar

During the Kargil War with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force is said to have proved the decisive force in accelerating the end of the conflict. It successfully provided considerable air-cover for Indian troops fighting against Pakistani soldiers and also carried out air assaults against enemy forces in Kashmir. Most notable were the IAF's Mirage 2000 aircraft, which carried out surgical operations to assist ground troops in securing the strategically crucial Tiger Hill from its Pakistani captors. The IAF also carried out several operations to provide essential supplies to the ground troops. During the conflict, one IAF MiG-27 and an IAF MiG-21 were claimed shot down by Pakistani air defence missiles. However the Indian Air Force had stated that the MiG-27 had an engine flameout in the initial stages of attacking the mountain top targets with its cannon.^[6] The MiG-21M was on a search operation to find the MiG-27s crash site, when it was shot down. Later, an Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by a shoulder-held missile with the loss of all its crew.

Atlantique Incident

Main article: Atlantique Incident

On August 10 1999, a Pakistan Navy French-built naval Breguet Atlantic was flying over the Rann of Kutch area and was shot down by two IAF MiG-21 jets killing all 16 aboard. Operation Makeni(Sierra Leone): On May 7th 2000, The IAF contingent in Sierra Leone received a call to immediately evacuate 3 Kenyan battle casualties & 11 UN Military Observers from a besieged garrison of Makeni in Freetown Sierra Leone. The task was handed over to Squardon Leader T Daya Sagar & Flt Lt Yadav, they took off with supplies & undettered by the dangers landed the helicopter in the battlezone for offloading the supplies & pick up the casulaties & UN Observers, while the pilots where undetered by the firing on their helicopter. However while the chopper got airborne it developed heavy vibrations as a result of the enemy firing & quickly turned uncontrollable. But Dayasagar knew it very well, he was over a populated area used his skill &continued to fly the chopper till they had cleared the populated area & force landed it on a clear patch of land. At this point, another pilot R K Negi of Indian air force who received his MAY-DAY call quickly reached the site & shifted all the casulties in his helicopter. During this period RUF soldiers were closing from all directions however, the pilots had to take a hard but bold decision to abandon their crippled helicopter for the safety of UN Observers. This dare devil & well coordinated act of rescue earned wide scale appreciation from UN Headquarters New York. Operation Khukri: RUF fighters who held 5/8 Gorkha rifles or Indian Peacekeepers as hostage for 75 day. The 222 peacekeepers, heaved a sigh of relief when on 15th July 2000 the Indian air force who assisted the Para Commandos of India, launched a full feldge attack on rebel positions in Freetown, Sierra leone. The IAF flew a total of 98 sorties for 2 days & used 3 MI-35 & 3 MI-8 helicopters for the entire mission. Chetaks were used mostly for medivac. The MI-35 gunships commanded by Wing commander AT Santani broke the back of RUF fighters through accurate fire power, while MI-8 Helicopters led by Wing Commander Negi deployed & reinforced the 5/8 Gorkha rifles. Similarly the MI-8 choppers quickly picked up the stranded troops on ground. This entire mission was successful without any casualties on Indian side. The Force commander of UN HQ & world over appreciated this entire operations.

IAF air staff

With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force has a strength of 170,000 personnel and 1430 combat aircraft (2006 figure). The Officers of the IAF are commissioned in one of the following branches:

• Flying
• Engineering
• Administration
• Logistics
• Accounts
• Education
• Meteorological
• Medical & Dental Branch

Rank structure

The highest rank attainable in the IAF is Marshal of the Indian Air Force conferred by the President of India only after exceptional service (Equivalent to Field Marshall in the Indian Army). MIAF Arjan Singh is the only officer to have achieved this rank. The head of the Indian Air Force is the Chief of the Air Staff. The current Air Chief Marshal is Fali Homi Major.

Officer

The various ranks of personnel within the Indian Air Force are listed below in descending order:

• Marshal of the Air Force
• Air Chief Marshal (Chief of the Air Staff and equivalent to General and Admiral)
• Air Marshal (equivalent to Lt. General in the Army)
• Air Vice Marshal (equivalent to Major General in the Army)
• Air Commodore (equivalent to Brigadier in the Army)
• Group Captain (equivalent to Colonel in the Army)
• Wing Commander (equivalent to Lt. Colonel in the Army)
• Squadron Leader (equivalent to Major in the Army)
• Flight Lieutenant (equivalent to Captain in the Army)
• Flying Officer (equivalent to Lieutenant in the Army)

Airmen

During its formation, the rank structure of airmen was based on the British model. Over the years the rank structure has seen significant changes.

• Master Warrant Officer
• Warrant Officer
• Junior Warrant Officer
• Sergeant
• Corporal
• Leading Aircraftman
• Aircraftsman

Structure of the IAF

The head of the Indian Air Force, Chief of the Air Staff, is assisted by six officers: the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Officer in Charge of Administration, the Air Officer in Charge of Personnel, the Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance, and the Inspector General of Flight Safety.

Commands

The Indian Air Force currently operates seven Commands. Each Command is headed by a Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Air Marshal.

Commands	HQ Location	Current AOC-in-C
Western Air Command	Subroto Park, New Delhi	Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia[7]
Eastern Air Command	Shillong, Meghalaya	Air Marshal P K Barbora
Central Air Command	Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh	Air Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik
Southern Air Command	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala	Air Marshal Yeshwant Rao Rane[8]
South Western Air Command	Gandhinagar, Gujarat	Air Marshal S S Dalal
Training Command	Bangalore, Karnataka	Air Marshal G S Chaudhary
Maintenance Command	Nagpur, Maharashtra	Air Marshal Nayyar

Aerospace Command

The IAF is setting up an aerospace command. This command will have space technology including satellites available to them. This command is said to be utilised by all the three services of the Indian armed forces and also for civilian purposes by ISRO^[9][10]

Wings

Wing is a static formation below the level of the Commands and is an intermediate between Command and Squadron. A Wing generally consists of various IAF Squadrons and Helicopter Units and along with the Forward Base Support Units (FBSU), it is responsible for maintaining the installation. FBSUs do not have or host any Squadrons or Helicopter units but act as transit airbases for routine operations. In times of war, they can become full fledged air bases playing host to various Squadrons. Currently, 47 Wings and 19 FBSUs make up the IAF^[11].aaaa

Squadrons

Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations. In other words, a Flying Squadron is a sub-unit of an air force station which carries out the primary task of the IAF. All fighter squadrons are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Wing Commander. Some Transport squadrons and Helicopter Units are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Group Captain.

Squadrons of the Indian Air Force This box: view •  • edit
Fighters , Ground Attack and Bombers	No. 1 Squadron • No. 2 Squadron • No. 3 Squadron • No. 4 Squadron • No. 5 Squadron • No. 6 Squadron • No. 7 Squadron • No. 8 Squadron • No. 9 Squadron • No.10 Squadron • No.14 Squadron • No.15 Squadron • No.16 Squadron • No.17 Squadron • No.18 Squadron • No.20 Squadron • No.21 Squadron • No.22 Squadron • No.23 Squadron • No.24 Squadron • No.26 Squadron • No.27 Squadron • No.28 Squadron • No.29 Squadron • No.30 Squadron • No.31 Squadron • No.32 Squadron • No.35 Squadron • No.37 Squadron • No.45 Squadron • No.47 Squadron • No.51 Squadron • No.52 Squadron • No.101 Squadron • No.102 Squadron • No.106 Squadron • No.108 Squadron • No.220 Squadron • No.221 Squadron • No.222 Squadron • No.223 Squadron • No.224 Squadron
Helicopters	No.104 Heli Squadron • No.105 HU • No.107 HU • No.109 HU
Transports	AHQCS • No.11 Squadron • No.12 Squadron • No.19 Squadron • No.25 Squadron • No.41 Squadron • No.42 Squadron • No.43 Squadron • No.44 Squadron • No.48 Squadron • No.49 Squadron • No.59 Squadron • No.78 Squadron

IAF Bases

Main article: List of Indian Air Force Bases

The IAF operates over 60 air bases, with more being built or planned. They are grouped under one of the five Regional Air Commands. In addition, the IAF also operates the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan.

Western Air Command

The largest Air Command. It operates 16 Air bases from Punjab to Uttar Pradesh

Eastern Air Command

It operates 15 Air bases in Eastern and North-eastern India.

Central Air Command

Operates 7 Air Bases in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding states of central India.

Southern Air Command

A strategically important Air command, in line with India's latest doctrine of protecting the vital shipping routes. It operates 9 Air bases in South India and 2 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

South Western Air Command

The front line of defence against Pakistan, this important Command operates 12 Forward Air Bases in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

IAF Aircraft

IAF Su-30 MKI

IAF Mirage 2000 Twin Seat

IAF Jaguar

IAF MiG-27

IAF MiG-21 Bison

IAF IL-76 MD refueling two Mirage-2000

Main article: List of aircraft of the IAF

The Indian Air Force has a strength of 1430 combat aircraft. Most of the IAF's fighter jets are of French, Soviet/Russian and British origin, with designs by the latter two countries being constructed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence. The various types of combat aircraft in the IAF are listed below.

Air superiority and Multirole Combat aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI (MKI: 'Multifunctional Commercial - Indian') is the IAF's prime multirole fighter ^[12]. Its long range enhances IAFs strategic reach and due to its advanced air combat capabilities, its termed as Air Dominance Fighter^[13]. The Su-30K variant was first acquired in 1996 and Su-30MKI in Sept 2002. IAF will ultimately acquire a total of 230 Su-30MKI which includes 32 directly acquired from Russia, 140 to be license produced by HAL, 18 acquired from Russia in a swap deal^[14] and signed a deal for 40 additional aircraft on Feb 2007 . Mirage-2000 is a mutirole aircraft which currently has the Air defence and Strike role.^[12]. Mirage-2000 has proved its capability as strike fighter at Kargil war ^[15]. India is currently negotiating with France for the upgrade of Mirage-2000 to Mirage 2000-5 standard. Mirage 2000 was acquired in 1985 to serve as a counterpoise to PAF F-16s.^[16] Mig-29 also in IAFs service is an air superiority fighter with a top speed of 2445 km/h (Mach 2.3) and is armed with R-60 & R-27 R missiles.^[12] HAL is currently upgrading Mig-29s to modern standards. More than 450 Mig-21 Aircraft have served IAF for the past four decades.^[17][18] The Mig-21Bis/Bison and Mig-21MF are in active service of which 128 Mig-21Bis were upgraded to Bison Standard. Air force plans to eventually replace its remaining MiG-21Bis and Mig-21MF with the indigenously-built LCA HAL Tejas from 2010.

Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft

Squadrons of Jaguar IS and MiG-27 aircraft serve as the IAF's primary ground strike force. The twin-engine Jaguar IB, with a top speed of Mach 1.3, is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The IAF currently possess 100 Jaguar IS and 8 maritime strike Jaguar IM aircraft. The single-seater MiG-27 carries one GSh-6-30 six-barrelled 30 mm cannon, 4000 kg of general-purpose ordnance, SPPU-22 and SPPU-6 gun pods, and various guided air-to-surface missiles.

Reconnaissance and Airborne Early Warning Aircraft

Various unmanned aircraft are used for reconnaissance. The IAF used to operate a fleet of MiG-25 (Foxbat) R, U reconnaissance aircraft until 2006. The high-speed interceptor aircraft carried four R-40 (AA-6 'Acrid') air-to-air missiles, two R-23 (AA-7 'Apex') and four R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') or R-73 (AA-11 'Archer'). The MiG-25, in service since the late 1980s, were decommissioned from service in 2006. The IAF also used the English Electric Canberra aircraft for reconnaissance and photoreconnaissance missions during the Kargil war. The Canberras were originally used as Bombers, and served in that role in the 1971 war. In 2003, the IAF bought 6 IL-78MKI aircraft from Russia.The aircraft's primary role is air-to-air re-fueling.The IAF also has a fleet of 24 IL-76MD aircraft The IAF has ordered 3 IAI Phalcon to be mounted on IL-76. Deliveries start from September 2007.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The primary role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. However, DRDO, ADA and HAL are developing a range of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. The IAF currently operates IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and Heron UAVs. Israel Aircraft Industries and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), India's leading unmanned aerial vehicle research agency are also jointly developing three new UAVs. UAVs can also be used as a target aircraft. HAL Lakshya, indigenously-developed pilotless target aircraft, was inducted into the IAF in July 2005. Israel has also bought a few of the Laksya PTAs. Another UAV, the HAL Nishant Remote Piloted Vehicle (RPV) has also been developed, with an endurance of over 3 hours. The UAV can be used for carrying out ground attacks and aerial surveillance. It will be inducted into the Indian Army by 2007. Another smaller UAV, known as the Kapothaka is also being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency.

Support helicopters

An important objective of the IAF is to support ground troops by providing air-cover and by transporting men and essential commodities across the battlefield. The list of helicopters currently in service with the IAF:

• Mi-25/35 (Hind)
• Mi-26
• Mi-17 1V (Hip-H)
• Mi-17 (Hip-H)
• HAL Dhruv
• Mi-8 (Hip)
• HAL Cheetah
• HAL Chetak

On October 15, 2006 India agreed to acquire 80 Mi-17 helicopters from the Russian Federation in a deal worth approximately US$662 million.^[19] The new and improved HAL Dhruv, complete with the more powerful Shakti engine and glass cockpit, came on stream in 2007.

Training aircraft

The Indian Air Force currently operates around 250 MiG-21 aircraft.The IAF initially planned to replace the MiG-21 fleet with indigenously-built HAL Tejas aircraft by 2006. However, the target could not be met due to developmental delays and a U.S. sanction, following the Pokhran tests, which blocked the delivery of GE F404 engines - a crucial component of the aircraft. In 2003, the IAF placed an order for 66 Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers in a deal worth over 1 billion GBP, with deliveries beginning in November, 2007. The supply of these advanced trainer aircraft will bring to an end the use of the MiG-21 as a training jet. India also manufactures less-sophisticated HAL HJT-16 Kiran and this aircraft will be replaced with the advanced HJT-36. IAF uses HPT-32 Deepak for basic training.

Aircraft inventory

Combat Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[20]	Trainers[20]	Squadrons[20]	Notes
Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker-C	Russia	multirole air dominance	Su-30MKI Flanker-G	50 (20 aircraft taken out of squadron service for upgrade)	0	20, 24, 30	230 to be acquired in total (90 in knock-down kits and 140 built by HAL)
HAL Tejas	India	multirole air-superiority	HAL Tejas	1	0		40 on Order. 220 planned.
Dassault Mirage 2000	France	multirole air-superiority	Mirage 2000H	41	10	1, 7, 9	to be upgraded.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum	Soviet Union	multirole air-superiority	MiG-29	56	8	28, 47, 223	to be upgraded.
Sepecat Jaguar	United Kingdom  France	ground attack maritime strike	Jaguar IS Jaguar IM	78 9	30 2	5, 14, 16, 27 6	20 more ordered.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 Flogger	Soviet Union	ground attack	MiG-27 ML	120	11	10, 18, 22, 29, 222, TACDE(0.5)	upgraded
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Flogger	Soviet Union	ground attack	MiG-23 BN	16	2	6	being phased out
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed	Soviet Union	Interceptor	MiG-21 Bison MiG-21Bis MiG-21 M/MF	104 48 72	13 8 9	3, 4, 21, 32, 51 15, 23, 26 17, 35 'A', 37,101,108	to be upgraded

Helicopters

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[20]	Squadrons[20]	Notes
HAL Dhruv	India	utility helicopter		30	117, 151	deliveries underway, with Shakti engines and glass cockpit
Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III	France	utility helicopter	SA 316B Chetak	92	111, 116, 141SSS F, 142SSS F, HTS	60 built by HAL
Aérospatiale SA 315 Lama	France	utility helicopter	SA 315B Cheetah	24	114, 131F, 132F	built by HAL
Eurocopter SA 365 Dauphin	France	utility helicopter	SA 365	6
Mil Mi-17 Hip-H	Russia	utility helicopter	Mi-17-1V	0	112 HU	80 ordered, deliveries underway
Mil Mi-8 Hip	Soviet Union	transport helicopter	Mi-8 Mi-17	82 52	105, 107, 109, 110, 112, 118, 119, 121, 122F 127, 128, 129, 130, 152, 153
Mil Mi-24 Hind	Soviet Union	attack helicopter	Mi-35	32	104, 125
Mil Mi-26 Halo	Soviet Union	transport helicopter		8	126HF

Transport Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[20]	Squadrons[20]	Notes
Antonov An-32 Cline	Soviet Union	tactical transport		94	12, 25'B', 33, 43, 48, 49, PTS, TTW
Avro 748	United Kingdom	tactical transport	HS 748-100	64	11, 41 'A', 59, 106 'A', 6 Cmd Flts (2 A/c)
Boeing 737	United States	transport	737-200	3	Air HQ Flt
Dornier Do 228	Germany	tactical transport	Do 228-201	28	41, TTW, 6 Comm Flts (2 A/c)	built by HAL; 12 more ordered
Ilyushin Il-76 Candid	Soviet Union	transport tanker	Il-76 Il-78MKI	25 6	44, 25 'A' 78	ARP-3 refueling pods from Israel
Ilyushin Il-76 Candid Phalcon	Russia	AWACS	Phalcon	0		3 to be inducted progressively from July 2008 onwards [21]
Embraer EMB 135	Brazil	VIP transport	ECJ-135 Legacy	5	Air HQ Flt
Gulfstream III	United States	VIP transport		3

Trainers

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[22]	Squadrons[20]	Notes
BAE Hawk	United Kingdom	trainer	Hawk 132	6		66 ordered, deliveries underway
HAL HJT-36 Sitara	India	trainer	HJT-32 Sitara	0		12 to be delivered in 2007
HAL HJT-16 Kiran	India	trainer		84
HAL HPT-32 Deepek	India	trainer		70

Future Aircraft

Further information: Indian MRCA Competition

The Indian Air Force currently operates around 250 MiG-21 aircraft. On account of metal fatigue and dated equipment, several MiG-21s used in training roles have crashed over the past six years, killing over 50 IAF pilots. Also, they are nearing the end of their service life having been in the IAF for many decades and are being decommissioned at an increasing pace. The IAF initially planned to replace the MiG-21 fleet with indigenously-built HAL Tejas aircraft by 2006. However, the target could not be met due to developmental delays and a US sanction, following the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which blocked the delivery of GE F404 engines - a crucial component of the LCA. The Indian Air Force has a requirement for combat aircraft to replace the MiG-21 in service. The Mirage-2000 were considered as a replacement. However, Dassault announced that it has shut down the assembly line of the Mirage-2000. Hence the IAF included the Mig-29M/M2, Gripen and F-16 in its itenarary of consideration. This was the first time in the IAF's history that an American aircraft was being considered. Later the number of manufacturers was widened to include heavy-weight aircraft like the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and Dassault Rafale. In an interview, the then Air Chief of the IAF M. Shahindra Pal Tyagi admitted to allowing heavy-weight aircraft to compete, "to allow more competition". The limited series production of the indigenous LCA Tejas aircraft is ongoing at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft is supposed to get full operational clearance by 2010-12, as the Tejas' development has been accelerated. It is believed that the MRCA's procurement may take a much longer time than Tejas' induction in the IAF, and its subsequent mass production. The air force has issued a Intent (RoI) for procurement of MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft). The following aircraft are participating: Russian MiG-35, French Rafale, European Eurofighter Typhoon, Swedish Gripen and the US F-16C. Besides the F-16Cs, the US has also offered the sale of F-16 Block 70 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft. IAF pilots and technicians are familiar with earlier aircraft from MiG and Dassault and would need minimal retraining. Infrastructural and logistical support for maintenance and spares would also be easier for these aircraft compared to the unfamiliar Gripens, F-16s and F/A-18s. Moreover, many analysts feel that the US, whose unpredictable foreign policy might clamp sanctions at any time, cannot be a reliable supplier. Apart from the 126 multi-role combat aircraft, 180 Su-30MKI air superiority fighters (out of the 230 Su-30MKI fighters ordered, 80 are already in service with the IAF), 220 Light Combat Aircraft, 29 Jaguar combat aircraft, 4 Tu-22M3 bombers, the Indian Air Force has signed contracts for 66 BAE Hawk-132 trainers (deliveries underway), 80+ combat helicopters, 3 new Long Range UAVs, 8 mid-air refueling planes, 225+ HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer aircraft and some additional medium-range transport aircraft. The Indian Air Force plans to upgrade its fleet of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft.^[23] India is considering the purchase of 15 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

Under Development

• HAL Tejas:The IAF will also buy 220 indigenously-built HAL Tejas light combat aircraft. It has already ordered a total of 28 Tejas aircraft. Weaponization is underway as an LCA Tejas successfully test-fired a Russian R-73 close-combat air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa in October, 2007. These aircraft are expected to enter service beginning in 2009.
• The HAL HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer carried out its maiden test flight in 2003 and is all set to enter service within the next 5 years. HAL recently signed a deal with Russian company Saturn DDB for supply of a specially designed engine for the trainer.
• The delivery and induction process of the 66 Hawk T.132s began in November, 2007. The Hawk, along with the HAL HJT-36, will serve the IAF's future fighter training needs. Apart from combat and training aircraft, India is also developing un-manned surveillance aircraft in collaboration with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
• In 2001, the Ministry of Defence signed a deal with Russia to jointly develop and fund the Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi (Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces) program. The program was initiated to develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft to fill a role similar to that of Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor in all aspects. Initially, Mikoyan-Gurevich's Project 1.44 was expected to get the contract. However, Sukhoi Aviation Corporation came up with a more cost-effective aircraft and won. Design work has commenced on Sukhoi's experimental Su-47 Berkut aircraft. PAK FA proves to be a very ambitious program and the estimated costs for developing the aircraft vary between US$15-20 billion. However, it was announced in August, 2007 by Russian Air Force Commander Alexander Zelin that the development stage of the PAK FA project is complete without any Indian involvement^[24] and an Indo-Russian pact on building a fifth-generation fighter has only recently been agreed^[25]. The new project may effectively result in the development of an export version of the Russian PAK FA^[26] or very closely based on the PAK FA's final article^[27]. An official project name has not been assigned to this possible Indo-Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft development programme as of November, 2007.
• India is also planning to construct a fifth generation aircraft called Medium Combat Aircraft or MCA. The MCA is presently in early stages of development and production is expected to commence in 2015. Hindustan Aeronautics has already commenced the development of a Indo-Russian Multirole Transport Aircraft, which will replace the IAF's ageing fleet of Antonov An-32s.

Weapons

Air to Air Missiles

• Vympel AA-8 Aphid
• Matra Magic 2
• Matra Super 530
• Vympel AA-10 Alamo
• Vympel AA-11 Archer
• Vympel AA-12 Adder
• DRDO Astra- Under development.

Air to Surface Missiles

• Zvezda AS-10 Karen
• Aerospatiale AS-30L
• Hawker-Matra Martel Missile
• Kolomna AT-6 Spiral
• Molniya AS-14 Kedge
• Zvezda AS-17 Krypton
• BAe Sea Eagle
• Raduga AS-18 Kazoo
• DRDO- NPO Mashinostroeyenia Brahmos- Air launched version under Development

Surface to Air Missiles

• Isayev SA-3 Goa ^[28][29]
• SA-8 Gecko ^{[28] [29]}
• SA-16 Gimlet - MANPAD ^{[28] [29]}
• Almaz SA-10 Grumble

Future Surface to Air Missile Systems

• Akash- Indian Air force has approved the induction of Akash Missile System and had intiated the process of inducting the system. Akash has successfully demonstrated its performance through number of flight tests ^[30][31]. DRDO and IAF jointly began a ten day intensive trial of Akash on Dec 13 2007 aimed at making IAF familiar with the system. ^[32]Defence News reports that IAF has already ordered two units (batteries) of Akash which are likely to be inducted by 2009.^[31]
• Trishul- Development of Trishul is complete. It has met the IAF requirements during its various developmental flight trials. DRDO is presently in dialogue with IAF for possible induction. ^[33] Frontier India reports that Indian Air force is considering to induct small quantity to meet partial requirement of LLQRM (Low Level Quick Reaction Missile) System.^[30]. However it is not known if IAF has placed a formal order of Trishul SAM System.
• SPYDER (Python-5 & Derby Missiles): Indian Air force earlier decided to acquire 18 Spyder SAM Systems at a cost of $325 million.^[34][35]. But recently Defence Ministry has ordered a probe into the deal following allegations of illegal influencing of the purchase process. Central Vigilance Commission is currently reviewing the deal. ^[36][37]
• "Maitri" LLQRM (Low Level Quick Reaction Missile): DRDO is in talks with MBDA to develop Maitri LLQRM for Army, Airforce and Navy. Sources said that DRDL is preparing feasibility report and is awaiting formal clearance from defence ministry. ^[38][39][40]

Surface to Surface Missiles

• Prithvi-II: 250km Prithvi-II Ballistic Missile is currently under IAF service which could be used to target airfields, command and control centers etc.^[41][42]

In Fiction

• Sainyam - A Malayalam movie starring Mammooty as Capt. Eshwar and Mukesh. The film was shot in Hyderabad based Indian Air Force Academy.
• Vijeta - A Hindi film is also based on IAF.Amrish Puri played the role of a flamboyant officer who trains pilots Chief Instructor Verghese.

Gallery

Sukhoi Su-30MKI's	Two Sukhoi Su-30MKI's in flight	IAF Cheetah.	Two IAF Sukhoi Su-30 MK (rear) and two IAF Mirage 2000 fly with two USAF F-15 (middle of V-formation) during Cope India'04.
Il-76 refueling two Mirage-2000 in fight.	Il-76 in Hawaii.	HAL Dhruvs of Saarang helicopter Aerobatics Team at a display

References

Videos

• Webcast of Indian Air Force Day Parade 2006 ( PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATION )
• Indo-Russian Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA)
• IAF Jaguar packs more firepower @ IBNlive.com
• IAF high on spirit of competition @ IBNlive.com

External links

• Official website of The Indian Air Force
• Indian Air Force on bharat-rakshak.com
• Latest Indian Air Force Related News Updates
• Vayu Sena
• Global Security article on Indo-Pakistani Wars
• Indian Air Force on Frontier India Journal

See also

• No. 7 Squadron, Indian Air Force
• No.22 Squadron, Indian Air Force
• No.35 Squadron, Indian Air Force
• Surya Kiran, Indian Air Force aerobatic team
• Sarang, Indian Air Force Helicopter formation display team
• List of aircraft of the IAF
• Indian Navy
• Military of India
• 2002 Jalandhar India MiG-21 crash

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