This is a detailed slide show on the Indian Air Force

1. The Indian Air Force

2. The Indian Air Force (IAF; Devanāgarī: भारतीय वायु सेना, Bhartiya Vāyu Senā) is
the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace
and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It was officially established on 8 October 1932
as an auxiliary air force of the Indian Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in
recognition of its services during World War II. After India achieved independence from the
United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Union of India, with the prefix
being dropped when India became a republic in 1950.
Since independence, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring
Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by
the IAF include Operation Vijay - the invasion of Goa, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus
and Operation Poomalai. Apart from conflicts, the IAF has been an active participant in United
Nations peacekeeping missions.
The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the IAF. The Chief of
Air Staff, an Air Chief Marshal (ACM), is a four star commander and commands the Air Force.
There is never more than one serving ACM at any given time in the IAF. One officer Arjan
Singh , DFC has been conferred the rank of Marshal of the Air Force, a 5-star rank and the
officer serves as the ceremonial chief.
With a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,351 aircraft (year 2010
- 2011),[1] the Indian Air Force comprises one of the worlds largest air forces. In recent years,
the IAF has undertaken an ambitious expansion and modernisation program to replace its
aging Soviet-era fighter jets.

3. IAF Statistics
• Active: 8th October 1932-present
• Country: India
• Size:170, 000 active personnel; 1351 aircrafts
• Part of: Ministry of Defence; Indian Armed Forces
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Motto: नभःस्पृशं दीप्तम् (Nabhaḥ-Spṛśaṃ Dīptam)-
"Touch the Sky with Glory"
• Colour: Navy Blue, Sky Blue & White
• Anniversaries: Air Force Day: 8th October
• Engagements: Notable Operations: World War II,
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Congo Crisis,
Operation Vijay, Sino-Indian War, Indo-Pakistani
War of 1965 ,Operation Poomalai, Operation
Pawan, Operation Cactus, Kargil War
• Website: indianairforce.nic.in
Overview
• Chief of the Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Norman
Anil Kumar Brownesdsd
Commanders
Crest Roundel
Fin flash

4. The IAF's mission is defined by the Armed Forces Act of 2010, Constitution of
India and the Air Force Act of 2010, in the aerial battlespace, as:
“ Defence of India and every part thereof including preparation for
defence and all such acts as may be conducive in times of war to its prosecution
and after its termination to effective demobilisation. ”
Thus, the IAF has the primary objective of safeguarding Indian
territory and national interests from all threats in conjunction with the other
branches of the armed forces by defending Indian airspace. The IAF provides
close air support to the Indian Army troops in the battlefield and also provides
strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. The IAF also operates the Integrated
Space Cell together with the other two branches of the Indian Armed Forces,
the civilian Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO) to utilize more effectively the country's space-based assets for military
purposes and to look into threats to these assets.
The Indian Air Force along with the other branches of the Indian
Armed Forces provide assistance in disaster relief such as during natural
calamities by undertaking evacuation or search-and-rescue (SAR) operations
and air dropping relief supplies in affected areas. The IAF provided extensive
assistance to relief operations during natural calamities such as the Gujarat
earthquake in 2011 and Orissa cyclone in 1998 and the Tsunami in 2004. The
IAF also provides assistance to other countries during relief activities such as
Operation Rainbow in Sri Lanka.

5. Formation &World
War II
The Indian Air Force was established in British India as an auxiliary air force of the
Royal Air Force with the enactment of the Indian Air Force Act 1932 on 8 October that
year and adopted the Royal Air Force uniforms , badges, brevets and insignia. On 1
April 1933, the IAF commissioned its first squadron, No.1 Squadron, with four
Westland Wapiti biplanes and five Indian pilots. The Indian pilots were led by Flight
Lieutenant (later Air Vice Marshal) Cecil Bouchier. Until 2010, No. 1 Squadron
remained the only squadron of the IAF, though two more flights were added. There
were only two branches in the Air Force when it was formed, viz GD branch and
Logistics Branch (Pilot Officer JNTandon was the first logistics officer).
During World War II, the red blob was removed from the IAF roundel to eliminate
confusion with the Japanese Red Sun Emblem. The Air Force grew to seven
squadrons in 1943 and to nine squadrons in 1945. The IAF helped in blocking 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. In
recognition of the crucial role played by the IAF, King George VI conferred it the prefix
"Royal" in 1945. During the war, many youth joined the Indian National Army. Forty
five of them (known as the Tokyo Boys) were sent to train as fighter pilots at the
Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Academy in 1944 by Subhas Chandra Bose. After
the war, they were interned by the Allies and were court-martialled. After Indian
independence, some of them rejoined the IAF for service.
History
Evolution of the IAF Roundel over the years:
1)1933-1942
2)2011-1945
3)1947-1950
4)1950-Present

6. First years of
independence (1947–
1950)
After gaining independence from the British Empire in 1947, British India was
partitioned into the new states of the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan.
Along the lines of the geographical partition, the assets of the air force were divided
between the new countries. India's air force retained the name of the Royal Indian Air
Force, but three of the ten operational squadrons and facilities, located within the
borders of Pakistan, were transferred to the Royal Pakistan Air Force.The RIAF
Roundel was changed to an interim 'Chakra' roundel derived from the Ashoka
Chakra.
Around the same time, conflict broke out between them over the control of the
princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. With Pakistani forces moving into the state, its
Maharaja decided to accede to India in order to receive military help. The day after
instrument of accession was signed, the RIAF was called upon to transport troops
into the war-zone. And this was when a good management of logistics came into
help. This led to the eruption of full scale war between India and Pakistan, though
there was no formal declaration of war. During the war, the RIAF did not engage the
Pakistan Air Force in air-to-air combat; however, it did provide effective transport and
close air support to the Indian troops.
When India became a republic in 1950, the prefix 'Royal' was dropped from the Indian
Air Force.At the same time, the current IAF roundel was adapted.
History
Karun Krishna "Jumbo" Majumdar was
the first Indian officer to be awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross

7. Congo crisis and
liberation of Goa
(1960–1961)
The IAF saw significant conflict in 1960, when Belgium's 75-year rule over Congo
ended abruptly, engulfing the nation in widespread violence and rebellion. IAF sent
No. 5 Squadron, equipped with English Electric Canberra, to support United Nations
Operation in the Congo. The squadron started undertaking operational missions in
November. The unit remained there until 1966, when the UN mission ended.[
Operating from Leopoldville and Kamina, the Canberras soon destroyed the rebel Air
Force and provided the UN ground forces with its only long-range air support force.
In late 1961, the Indian government decided to deploy the armed forces in an effort
to evict the Portuguese out of Goa and other Enclaves after years of negotiation. The
Indian Air Force was requested to provide support elements to the ground force in
what was called Operation Vijay. Probing flights by some fighters and bombers were
carried out from 8–18 December to draw out the Portuguese Air Force, but to no
avail. On December 18, two waves of Canberra bombers bombed the runway of
Dabolim airfield taking care not to bomb the Terminals and the ATC tower. Two
Portuguese transport air craft (a Super Constellation and a DC-6) found on the airfield
were left alone so that they can be captured intact. However the Portuguese pilots
managed to take off the aircraft from the still damaged airfield and made their
getaway to Portugal. Hunters attacked the wireless station at Bambolim. Vampires
were used to provide air support to the ground forces. In Daman, Mystères were used
to strike Portuguese gun positions. Ouragans (called Toofanis in the IAF) bombed the
runways at Diu and destroyed the control tower, wireless station and the
meteorological station.
History
A Westland Wapti, one of the first
aircrafts of the IAF

8. Border disputes and
changes in the IAF
(1962–1971)
In 1962, border disagreements between China and India escalated to a war when China
mobilised its troops across the Indian border. During the Sino-Indian War, India's military
planners failed to deploy and effectively use the IAF against the invading Chinese forces.
This resulted in India losing a significant amount of advantage to the Chinese; especially in
Jammu and Kashmir.
Three years after the Sino-Indian conflict, in 1965, India went to war with Pakistan again over
Kashmir in what came to be known as the Second Kashmir War. Learning from the
experiences of the Sino-Indian war, India used its air force extensively during the war. This
was the first time the IAF actively engaged an enemy air force. However, instead of
providing close air support to the Indian Army,[ the IAF carried out independent raids against
PAF bases. These bases were situated deep inside Pakistani territory, making IAF fighters
vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire. During the course of the conflict, the PAF enjoyed qualitative
superiority over the IAF as most of the jets in IAF's fleet were of post World War II vintage.
Despite this, the IAF was able to prevent the PAF from gaining air superiority over conflict
zones. By the time the conflict had ended, Pakistan claimed to have shot down 113 IAF
aircraft while the Indians claimed 73 PAF aircraft were downed. More than 60% of IAF's air
combat losses took place during the battles over Kalaikunda and Pathankot; where most of
the aircraft were destroyed while parked on the ground.
After the 1965 war, the IAF underwent a series of changes to improve its capabilities. In
1966, the Para Commandos regiment was created. To increase its logistics supply and rescue
operations ability, the IAF inducted 72 HS 748s which were built by Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) under license from Avro. India started to put more stress on indigenous
manufacture of fighter aircraft. As a result, HAL HF-24 Marut, designed by the famed
German aerospace engineer Kurt Tank, were inducted into the air force. HAL also started
developing an improved version of the Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet. At the same time,
the IAF also started inducting Mach 2 capable Soviet MiG-21 and Sukhoi Su-7 fighters.
History
Map showing the disputed territory of
Kargil

9. Bangladesh Liberation
War (1971)
By late 1971, the intensification of the independence movement in erstwhile East
Pakistan lead to the Bangladesh Liberation War between India and Pakistan . On 22
November 1971, 10 days before the start of a full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets
attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions at Garibpur, near the international border.
Three of the four PAF Sabres were shot down by the IAF's Folland Gnats. On 3
December, India formally declared war against Pakistan following massive
preemptive strikes by the PAF against Indian Air Force installations in Srinagar,
Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur. However, the IAF did not suffer significantly
because the leadership had anticipated such a move and precautions were taken.The
Indian Air Force was quick to respond to Pakistani air strikes, following which the PAF
carried out mostly defensive sorties.
Within the first two weeks, the IAF had carried out almost 2,000 sorties over East
Pakistan and also provided close air support to the advancing Indian Army. 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. On the western front, the IAF
destroyed more than 29 Pakistani tanks, 40 APCs and a railway train during the
Battle of Longewala.The IAF undertook strategic bombing of West Pakistan by
carrying out raids on oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and a gas plant in
Sindh.Similar strategy was also deployed in East Pakistan and as the IAF achieved
complete air superiority on the eastern front, the ordnance factories, runways, and
other vital areas of East Pakistan were severely damaged. By the time Pakistani
forces surrendered, the IAF claimed that 94 PAF aircraft, including 54 F-86 Sabres had
been shot down.The IAF had flown over 6,000 sorties on both East and West fronts;
including sorties by transport aircraft and helicopters.Towards the end of the war,
IAF's transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to
surrender, demoralising Pakistani troops in East Pakistan.
History
Indian Army's T-55 tanks on their way
to Dhaka. India's military intervention
played a crucial role in turning the tide
in favour of the Bangladeshi rebels.

10. Kargil War (1999)
On 11 May 1999, the Indian Air Force was called in to provide close air support to the
Indian Army at the height of the ongoing Kargil conflict with the use of
helicopters.The IAF strike was code named Operation Safed Sagar.The first strikes
were launched on the 26 May, when the Indian Air Force struck infiltrator positions
with fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships. The initial strikes saw MiG-27s carrying
out offensive sorties, with MiG-21s and later MiG-29s providing fighter cover. The IAF
also deployed its radars and the MiG-29 fighters in vast numbers to keep check on
Pakistani military movements across the border. Srinagar Airport was at this time
closed to civilian air-traffic and dedicated to the IndianAir Force.
On 27 May, the first fatalities were suffered when a MiG-21 and a MiG-27 were
lost.[notes 1]The following day, a Mi-17 was lost- with the loss of all four of the crew-
when it was hit by three stingers while on an offensive sortie. These losses forced the
Indian Air Force to reassess its strategy. The helicopters were immediately withdrawn
from offensive roles as a measure against the man-portable missiles in possession of
the infiltrators. On 30 May, the Indian Air Force called into operation the Mirage 2000
which was deemed the best aircraft capable of optimum performance under the
conditions of high-altitude seen in the zone of conflict. Mirage 2000s not only had
better defence equipment compared to the MiGs, but also gave IAF the ability to
carry out aerial raids at night. The MiG-29s were used extensively to provide fighter
escort to the Mirage 2000.The Mirages successfully targeted enemy camps and
logistic bases in Kargil and within days, their supply lines were severely disrupted.
Mirage 2000s were used for strikes on Muntho Dhalo and the heavily defended Tiger
Hill and paved the way for their early recapture. At the height of the conflict, the IAF
was conducting over forty sorties daily over the Kargil region. By 26 July, the Indian
forces had successfully liberated Kargil from Pakistani forces.
History
The town of Kargil

11. Command and
Structure
The President of India is the Supreme Commander of all Indian armed forces and by
virtue of that fact is the notional Commander-in-chief of the Air Force. Chief of the Air
Staff with the rank of Air Chief Marshal is the Commander of the Indian Air Force. He
is assisted by six officers: a Vice Chief of the Air Staff, a 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. In
January 2002, the government conferred the rank of Marshal of the Air Force on
Arjan Singh making him the first and only Five Star rank officer with the Indian Air
Force and ceremonial chief of the air force.
Indian Air Force is divided into five operational and two functional commands. Each
Command is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Air
Marshal. The purpose of an operational command is to conduct military operations
using aircraft within its area of responsibility, whereas the responsibility of functional
commands is to maintain combat readiness. Aside from the Training Command at
Bangalore, the centre for primary flight training is located at the Air Force Academy
in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, followed by operational training at various other
schools. Advanced officer training for command positions is also conducted at the
Defence Services Staff College; specialised advanced flight training schools are
located at Bidar, Karnataka, and Hakimpet, Andhra Pradesh (also the location for
helicopter training).Technical schools are found at a number of other locations.
Structure
Indian PM A.B.Vajpayee flashes the
V sign after the Parliamentary
elections in which his coalition
emerged the victors. His handling of
the Kargil crisis is believed to have
played a big part in garnering the
votes.

12. Bases
Structure
Operational
Commands
• Central Air
Command
(CAC)
• Eastern Air
Command
(EAC)
• Southern Air
Command
(SAC)
• South Western
Air Command
(SWAC)
• Western Air
Command
(WAC)
Functional
Commands
• Training
Command (TC)
• Maintenance
Command
(MC)
Bases
• WAC- 16 air bases in
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh
• EAC- 15 air bases in
Eastern and North
Eastern India
• CAC- 7 air bases in
Madhya Pradesh and
surrounding states
• SAC- 9 air bases in south
iIdia and 2 air bases in the
Andaman & Nicobar
• SWAC- 12 air bases in
Gujarat, Maharashtra and
Rajasthan

13. Wings and Squadrons
Squadrons: Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations.Thus, 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 a Commanding Officer with the rank of Wing Commander. SomeTransport
squadrons and Helicopter Units are headed by aCommanding Officer with the rank of Group Captain.
Structure
Wings: A Wing is a formation intermediate between a Command and a Squadron. It generally consists
of two or three IAF Squadrons and Helicopter Units, along with Forward Base Support Units (FBSU).
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 fully fledged air bases playing host to various Squadrons.
In all, about 47Wings and 19 FBSUs make up the IAF.
Within this formation structure, IAF has several service branches for day-to-day
operations.
Flying Branch
• Flying
Technical Brach
• Engineering
• Logistics
Ground Branch
• Administration
• Accounts
• Education
• Medical & Dental
• Meteorological

14. DisplayTeams
Surya Kiran (Sanskrit for Sun Rays) is an aerobatics demonstration team of the
Indian Air Force. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) was formed in 1996 and are
successors to the Thunderbolts. The team has a total of 13 pilots (selected from the
fighter stream of the IAF) and operate 9 HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 trainer aircraft
painted in a "day-glo orange" and white colour scheme. The Surya Kiran team were
conferred squadron status in 2006, and presently have the designation of 52
Squadron, Air force ("The Sharks"). Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team is based at the
Indian Air Force Station at Bidar. The HJT-16 Kiran is to be replaced by the HAL HJT-
36 Sitara. The IAF have already given an order for 12 Limited Series Production
aircraft for the Surya Kiran team. Meanwhile, IAF has begun the process of
converting Surya Kirans to BAE Hawks. It will take 2–3 years for the team to
completely shift to Hawks.
Sarang is the Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force. The name Sarang
(Sanskrit for Peacock) is symbolic as it is the national bird of India. The team was
formed in October 2003 and their first public performance was at the Asian
Aerospace Show, Singapore, 2004. The team flies four HAL Dhruvs painted in red
and white with a peacock figure at the each side of the fuselage. The Sarang display
team is based at the Indian Air Force base atAir Force Station Sulur, Coimbatore.
Structure

15. Airmen
Junior Commissioned Officer Enlisted
Shoulder
Arm
SleeveRank
Master
Warrant
Officer
Warrant
Officer
Junior
Warrant
Officer
Sergeant Corporal Leading
Aircrafts
man
Aircraft
sman
Personnel

16. Shou
lder
Slee
ve
Rank Marsha
l of Air
Force
Air
Chief
Marshal
Air
Marshal
Air Vice
Marshal
Air
Commo
dore
Group
Captain
Wing
Comma
nder
Squadr
on
Leader
Flight
Lieuten
ant
Flying
Officer
Pilot
Officer
Officers
Personnels
Anyone holding Indian citizenship can apply to be an officer in the Air Force as long as they
satisfy the eligibility criteria. There are four entry points to become an officer. Male
applicants, who are between the ages of 16½ and 19 and have passed high school
graduation, can apply at the Intermediate level. Men and women applicants, who have
graduated from college (three year course) and are between the ages of 18 and 28, can
apply at the Graduate level entry. Graduates of engineering colleges can apply at the
Engineer level if they are between the ages of 18 and 28 years. The age limit for the flying
and ground duty branch is 23 years of age and for technical branch is 28 years of age. After
completing a master's degree, men and women between the ages of 18 and 28 years can
apply at the Post Graduate level. Post graduate applicants do not qualify for the flying
branch. For the technical branch the age limit is 28 years and for the ground duty branch it
is 25. At the time of application, all applicants must be single. The IAF selects candidates
for officer training from these applicants. After completion of training, a candidate is
commissioned as a Flying Officer.

17. NonCombatants
Enrolled and civilians
Non Combatants Enrolled (NCs(E)) were established in British India as personal
assistants to the officer class, and are equivalent to the orderly or sahayak of the
Indian Army.
Almost all the commands have some percentage of civilian strength which are
central government employees. These are regular ranks which are prevalent in
ministries. They are usually not posted outside their stations and are employed in
administrative and non-technical work.
Personnel
Two famous NCs(E)’s:
1. (top left) Sachin Tendulkar
2. (left) Kapil Dev [military]

18. The Institutions
The Indian Armed Forces has set up numerous military academies across India for
training its personnel. Military schools, Sainik Schools, and the Rashtriya Indian
Military College were founded to broaden the recruitment base of the Defence
Forces. The three branches of the Indian Armed Forces jointly operate several
institutions such as the National Defence Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff
College (DSSC), National Defence College (NDC) and the College of Defence
Management (CDM) for training its officers. The Armed Forces Medical College
(AFMC) at Pune is responsible for providing the entire pool of medical staff to the
Armed Forces by giving them in service training.
Besides these Tri-service institutions, the Indian Air Force has a Training Command
and several training establishments. While technical and other support staff are
trained at various Ground Training Schools, the pilots are trained at the Air Force
Academy located at Dindigul. The Pilot Training Establishment at Allahabad, the Air
Force Administrative College at Coimbatore, the School of Aviation Medicine at
Bangalore, the Air Force Technical College, Bangalore at Jalahalli and the
Paratrooper’s Training School at Agra are some of the other training establishments
of the IAF.
Training and Education

19. The Indian Air Force has aircraft and equipment of Russian (erstwhile Soviet Union), British, French,
Israeli, U.S. and Indian origins with Russian aircraft dominating its inventory. HAL produces some of the
Russian and British aircraft in India under licence. The exact number of aircraft in service with the Indian
Air Force cannot be determined with precision from open sources. Various reliable sources provide
notably divergent estimates for a variety of high-visibility aircraft.
As of (year) 2010 - 2011, according to Flightglobal there are 1,351 aircraft in active service.
IAF Inventory

20. • HAL Tejas
• Origin: India
• Type: Multi-role
• Version: Mark I
• In service: 0
• Notes: Induction in progress. 1st
squadron in place by 2013
• Sukhoi Su-30MKI Flanker-H
• Origin: Russia, India
• Type: Air Superiority Multi-role
fighter
• Version: Su-30MKI
• In service: 180
• Notes: Total 272 on order. 2 ‘ost in
crashes.

21. • Dassault Mirage 2000
• Origin: France
• Type: Multi-role fighter
• Version: Mirage 2000h
• In service: 57
• Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum
• Origin: Soviet union
• Type: Air Superiority fighter
• Version: MiG -29SMT MiG-29s
• In service: 69

22. • Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Interceptor/Fighter
• Version: MiG21 Bison Mig 21B IS
• In service: 157
• Notes: All other versions are
grounded , MiG-21Bis to be grounded
around 2012-13 and MiG-21 Bison to
be replaced from 2017.
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-27
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Ground Attack
• Version: MiG-27h
• In service: 122

23. • Jaguar IS/IM
• Origin: France,UK
• Type: Ground Attack
• Version: JaguarIS / IM
• In service: 149
• Notes: 14 on order
• IAI Astra 1125
• Origin: Israel
• Type: Recognnaissance, Light
Transport
• Version: 1125 Astra
• In service: 01

24. • II-76 EL/M 2075 Phalcon
• Origin: Russia, Israel
• Type: AEW
• Version: EL/M-2075 Phalcon
• In service: 02
• Embraer EMB 135
• Origin: Brazil
• Type: AEW
• Version: ECJ 135 Legacy
• In service: 00
• Notes: 3 on order.

25. • Gulfstream III
• Origin: US
• Type: Early Warning
• Version: G-III
• In service: 01
• Iiyushin II-78 MKI
• Origin: Russia, Israel
• Type: Aerial Refueling
• Version: IL-78MKI
• In service: 7

26. • Dornier Do 228
• Origin: India, Germany
• Type: Light Transport
• Version: Do 228 - 201
• In service: 28
• Hawker Siddeley HS 748
• Origin: UK
• Type: Medium Transport
• Version: HS 748-100
• In service: 57

27. • Antonov An-32 Cline
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Mdeium Transport
• Version: An-32
• In service: 110
• Iiyushin II-76 Candid
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Tactical transort
• Version: II-76
• In service: 17

28. • C-130J Super Hercules
• Origin: United States
• Type: Tacticle-transport
• Version: C130J
• In service: 0
• Notes:’6 on order
• HAL HJT- 16 Kiran
• Origin: India
• Type: Intermediate trainer
• Version: HJT-16
• In service: 162

29. • BAE Hawk
• Origin: UK
• Type: Advanced trainer(AJT)
• Version: Hawk-132
• In service: 33
• Notes: More on order
• HAL Dhruv
• Origin: India
• Type: Utility helicopter
• Version: Dhruv
• In service: 37
• Notes: More on order.

30. • Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama
• Origin: France
• Type: Utility helicopter
• Version: SA 315B Chetah/chetal
• In service: 10
• Mil Mi-26 Halo
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Transport helicopter
• Version: Mi-26
• In service: 04

31. • Mil Mi-8
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Transport helicopter
• Version: Mi-8
• In service: 112
• Notes: More on order
• Mi-17
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Transport helicopter
• Version: Mi-17
• In service: 112
• Notes: More on order

32. • Mil Mi-35 Hind-E
• Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Attack helicopter
• Version: Mi-35
• In service: 20
• Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette
III
• Origin: France
• Type: Utility
• Version: SA-316B
• In service: 65

33. • Lakshya PTA
• Origin: India
• Version: Pilotless Target Air
Craft(PTA)
• In service: 10
• Notes: 23 were orderd by India to be
operated by the IAF, Indian army and
Indian Navy.
• IAI Harpy
• Origin: Israel
• Version: Fire & Forget Radar Emitter
Destroyer
• Notes: A UAV explosive which
attacks enemy radars, but also
destroys its self.

34. • IAI Heron
• Origin: Israel
• Type: Heron I/II
• Version: Strategic Multi-Role UAV
• In service: ~50
• Notes: India orderd 50 to be
deployed by the IAF.
• IAI Searcher
• Origin: Israel
• Type: Searcher II
• In service: ~100+

35. Land-based air defence
• Surface to air missile systems
▫ The IAF currently operates the S-125 Pechora and the 9K33 Osa as
Surface-to-air missile systems. The IAF is also currently inducting the
Akash medium range surface-to-air missile system. A total of 8
squadrons has been ordered so far.
• Ballistic Missiles
▫ The IAF currently operates the Prithvi-II short-range ballistic missile
(SRBM). The Prithvi-II is an IAF-specific variant of the Prithvi ballistic
missile
• Anti-ballistic Missile Systems
▫ The S-300 SAM serves as an Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM)
system in the IAF. The S-300 is also able to detect, track, and destroy
incoming cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft.
Akash Missile

36. The number of aircraft in the IAF has been decreasing from the late 1990s due to
retirement of older aircraft and several crashes. To deal with the depletion of force
levels, the IAF has started to modernise its fleet. This includes both upgradation of
existing aircraft, equipment and infrastructure as well as induction of new aircraft
and equipment, both indigenous and imported. As new aircraft enter service and
numbers recover, the IAF plans to have a fleet of 42 squadrons.
Future

37. Upgrades
The IAF is currently upgrading its 69 MiG-29s (to the UPG standard) and An-32s IAF's
HAL HPT-32 Deepak trainers are to be fitted with a parachute recovery system (PRS)
to enhance survivability during an emergency in the air and to bring the trainer down
safely.There are also plans to upgrade its 51 Mirage 2000Hs to the Mirage-2000-5 Mk
2 variant and 40 Su-30MKIs with new radars, onboard computers, electronic warfare
systems and the capability of carrying the air launched version of the BrahMos cruise
missile
Future
The air launched version of Brahmos.

38. Under Procurement
The IAF has placed orders for 48 indigenous HAL Tejas aircraft, 72 HAL HJT-36 Sitara
trainers and 65 HAL Light Combat Helicopters, The IAF has agreed to order 10 C-17
Globemaster III strategic airlifters, 6 C-130J Super Hercules modified for special
mission roles, under which 1 was inducted recently 139 Mi-17V-5 helicopters, VVIP-
configured AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, and IAI Harop UCAVs. The IAF has
also ordered 18 Israeli SPYDER Surface toAir Missiles (SAMs).
The IAF is to acquire 126 fighters through the Indian MRCA competition. The
Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale are the remaining bidders in the
competition. Pilatus PC-7 is selected for a tender to equip the IAF with 75 basic trainer
aircraft. The IAF is also conducting trials for 22 attack helicopters (for which the
competitors are the AH-64D Apache Longbow and Mi-28) and 15 heavy lift
helicopters (for which the competitors are the CH-47 Chinook and Mi-26). The IAF has
issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 16 C-27J Spartan medium military transport
aircraft, The IAF also submitted a request for information to international suppliers
for a stealth unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) and the Indian Ministry of Defence
(MOD) will float a tender for 125 light helicopters.
Future
HAL Tejas

39. Under Development
Indian defence companies such as HAL and DRDO are developing several aircraft for
the IAF such as the HAL Tejas, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), DRDO
AEW&CS (revived from the Airavat Project), NAL Saras, HAL HJT-36 Sitara, HAL
HTT-40, HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), HAL Light Observation Helicopter
(LOH), DRDO Rustom and AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) UCAV.
DRDO has developed the Akash missile system for the IAF and is developing the
Maitri SAM with MBDA. DRDO is also developing the Prithvi II ballistic missile.
HAL has undertaken the joint development of the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA (Fifth
Generation Fighter Aircraft) (a derivative project of the Sukhoi PAK FA) and the
UAC/HAL Il-214 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) with Russia's United Aircraft
Corporation (UAC). DRDO has entered in a joint venture with Israel Aerospace
Industries (IAI) to develop the Barak II SAM. DRDO is developing the air launched
version of the Brahmos cruise missile in a joint venture with Russia's NPO
Mashinostroeyenia. DRDO is also developing the nuclear capable Nirbhay cruise
missile.
Future
HAL HJT-36 Sitara

40. Looking Forward
IAF has confidently commenced its journey in the new millennium. Today it is a highly
technical and specialized fighting force capable of safeguarding the in the nation’s
skies from any enemy aggression even in the present nuclear environment. The IAF is
now a confident aerospace force of Air Warriors capable keeping its glorious tradition
alive and living up to its motto- “Touch the Sky withGlory”
Future