Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (Devanāgarī भारतीय वायु सेना IAST: Bhartiya Vāyu Senā) 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 in 1932[1] as the Indian Air Force covering British India. It was granted the prefix "Royal" in 1945 in recognition of its services during the Second World War[2]. The Air Force was partitioned between the new independent India and Pakistan in 1947. The prefix Royal was dropped after India became a Republic in 1950[2]. With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force has a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,430 combat aircraft (2006 figure) making it the fourth largest air force in the world after US, Russia and China.[3]

Indian Air Force
Ensign of the Indian Air Force.svg
Nabha Sparsham Deeptam
"Touch the Sky with Glory"
Headquarters
New Delhi
History and traditions
History of the Indian Air Force
(established October 8, 1932)
Personnel
Marshal of the Indian Air Force
Chief of the Air Staff
Indian Air Force ranks and insignia
Aircraft
Aircraft of the Indian Air Force
Installations
Bases
Indian Armed Forces
Triservices Crest
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 Flag of the Indian Army.svg
Indian Air Force Ensign of the Indian Air Force.svg
Indian Navy Naval Ensign of India.svg
Indian Coast Guard In~cg.gif
Paramilitary forces of India
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

Contents

History

Main article: History of the Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force's No.1 Squadron came into being on 1 April 1933. The squadron consisted of five Indian pilots, one Royal Air Force 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.

Partition

With the partition of the Indian sub-continent into two separate nations, the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan, the military forces were also partitioned. This gave a reduced Royal Indian Air Force and a new Royal Pakistan Air Force in 1947.

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 27 October. This was the most instrumental action of the war as the paratroopers played a crucial role in blocking the advance of Pakistan militants 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 30 June 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 bomber aircraft as a part of the UN-led mission in Congo.

Indo-China Conflict 1962

Main article: Sino-Indian War

In 1962, border disputes escalated into full-scale war between India and China. Indian military and civilian leadership failed to organise and co-ordinate the air assaults efficiently, eventually the air force was never used during the indo-china war.

Second Kashmir War 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Due to the lacking qualitative advantages of the IAF druing this conflict the PAF inflicted severe blows to the IAF's frontline bases. Despite this the IAF still managed to offer a stiff attrition rate to the PAF who lost a total of 40+ aircraft in the entirety of the war. Evidence of this can be seen in the PAF's pleading for spare parts from Iran, Turkey and Indonesia during the height of the war. In addition the IAF was responsible for blunting the Pakistani armored offensive during the Khem Karan operations and Operation Grand Slam. The IAF went through several revamp schemes which saw the induction of several Soviet built aircraft. The effects of this can be seen in the severe mauling the PAF took in the 1971 war.

Growth and Re-organization (1965 - 1972)

HAL HF-24 Marut.

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 some were later (starting 1987) 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 the famed German aerospace engineer Kurt Tank, were inducted into the air force. HAL also started working on a new improved version of the 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 22 November, 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. 3 December saw the formal declaration of war following massive preemptive strikes by the Pakistan Air Force against Indian Air Force installations in the west. The PAF targets were Indian bases in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur on the lines of Israeli Operation Focus. But the plan failed as the 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.[4] As the IAF achieved complete air superiority over the eastern wing of Pakistan within a few days,[5] 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[6] Pakistani aircraft destroyed, with 45 IAF aircraft lost. This is evident in the attainment of air superiority over the skies above East Pakistan. The IAF had 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.[7]

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 13 April 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 3 November 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. 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 of the Pakistan army with the loss of all its onboard crew.

After the loss of Mig-27 & Mig-21M during the initial stages of theKargil War the Indian Air Force MiG-29s provided fighter escort for Mirage 2000s dropping laser-guided bombs (LGBs) on enemy targets. On occasions, IAF MiG-29s armed with beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles were able to lock on to PAF F-16s, forcing the latter to disengage, as at the time Pakistan F-16 aircraft were not equipped with BVR missiles. As a result, the PAF restricted itself to flying combat air patrols over Pakistani territory, and in the absence of a threat from PAF interceptors, the IAF was able to deliver unimpeded strikes on Pakistani positions and supply dumps.

Atlantique Incident

Main article: Atlantique Incident

On 10 August 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.

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:

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 Air Chief Marshal is Fali Homi Major.

Officer

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

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.

Civilian

Almost all the commands have some percentage of civilian strength which are Central Govt. Employees. These are regular ranks which are prevalent in ministries. They are usually not posted outside their stations and are helpful in administration and usual office and technical work. More than 250 different designations exists.

Most common designations of civil administration of Civilians are below:-

CGO (Civilian Gazetted Officer)

Structure of the IAF

Insignia
Ensign of the Indian Air Force.svg
Ensign
Crest
IAF-roundel.svg
Roundel		 IAF-Fin-Flash.svg
Fin Flash

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 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 P K Barbora PVSM VM
Eastern Air Command Shillong, Meghalaya Air Marshal S K Bhan AVSM VM
Central Air Command Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh Air Marshal P P Rajkumar AVSM
Southern Air Command Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Air Marshal S C Mukul AVSM VM VSM
South Western Air Command Gandhinagar, Gujarat Air Marshal K D Singh AVSM
Training Command Bangalore, Karnataka Air Marshal V R Iyer AVSM
Maintenance Command Nagpur, Maharashtra Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar VSM

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[8][9]

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.

47 Wings and 19 FBSUs make up the IAF[10]

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
Combat
No. 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 35 · 37 · 45 · 47 · 51 · 52 · 101 · 102 · 106 · 108 · 220 · 221 · 222 · 223 · 224
Ensign of the Indian Air Force
Transport
AHQCS · No. 11 · 12 · 19 · 25 · 33 · 41 · 42 · 43 · 44 · 48 · 49 · 59 · 78
Helicopters
Squadrons
No. 104 · 125
Units
No. 105 · 107 · 109 · 110 · 111 · 112 · 114 · 115 · 116 · 117 · 118 · 119 · 120 · 127 · 128 · 129 · 130 · 151 · 152 · 153
Flights
No. 121 · 122 · 126

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 Southern 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
HAL Tejas
Heron
Il-78MKI
Druv helicopter of the Sarang Display Team at RIAT 2008, England.
Indian Navy Nuclear Strategic Bombers Tu-142 and IL-38SD.
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.

Air superiority and Multi-role combat aircraft

These are aircraft for strike, offensive support, air defence and superiority purposes. The IAF possesses several multi-role fighter jets that perform these functions. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI (MKI: 'Multifunctional Commercial - Indian') is the IAF's prime air superiority fighter. The Su-30K variant was first acquired in 1996. In October 2004, the IAF signed a multi-billion US$ contract with Sukhoi according to which Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was given the licence to manufacture 140+ Su-30MKI's with full technology transfer. HAL plans to manufacture about 15 of these aircraft annually. The twin seater, multi-role fighter has a maximum speed of 2500 km/h (Mach 2.35) and has a service ceiling of 20,000 metres. The aircraft, with one mid-air refueling, can travel as far as 8000 km, making it an effective platform to deliver nuclear weapons. In February, 2007 India ordered 40 additional Su-30MKI combat aircraft.

Single-seater Mirage 2000s and MiG-29s serve in both strike and defence squadrons. The MiG-29 (NATO: Fulcrum) has a top speed of 2,445 km/h (Mach 2.3) and is armed with a 30 mm cannon along with R-60 & R-27 R missiles. Capable of flying at 2,500 km/h (Mach 2.3), the Mirage 2000-H is the IAF's prime ground-attack fighter jet while the double seater Mirage 2000-TH can also play the role of an effective interceptor aircraft. This aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry including two 30 mm integral cannons, two Matra Super 530D medium-range missiles and two R550 Magic close combat missiles. The Air Force is planning to upgrade these aircrafts to Mirage 2005 standards in deal worth about a billion dollars. Four hundred and Fifty multi-role MiG-21 combat aircraft have been serving the IAF for the past two decades.[11][12] The air force plans to eventually replace its remaining 250 or so MiG-21s with the indigenously-built LCA HAL Tejas starting 2010, though there is already one squadron in place.

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 has 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. In 2004, the IAF ordered 3 IAI Phalcon Airborne Early Warning radar system from Israel Aerospace Industries, which is considered to be the most advanced AEW&C system in the world, before the introduction of American-made Wedgetail. The air force will use 3 newly-acquired Ilyushin Il-76 Phalcon as a platform for these radar.

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 1965 and 1971 wars.

Transport aircraft

The IAF operates 25 Ilyushin Il-76 for military transport duties such as tactical and strategic airlift, at all operational levels. The Il-76 MD is a strategic airlifter with a payload of 95,000 lb and a range of over 5,000 km (2,700 nm; 3,100 statute miles). In 2003, the IAF also purchased 6 IL-78MKI aircraft from Russia which were fitted with ARP-3 aerial refueling pods from Israel.

IAF has a fleet of 64 Avro 748 which has a payload of 5,136 kg (11,323 lb) and has a range of 1,715 km (926 nm; 1,066 mi). The air force also operates a fleet of 94 twin-engined turboprop Antonov An-32 and 73 Dornier Do 228 utility aircraft. In an effort to infuse fresh life into its transport fleet, the Indian Air Force will begin an upgrade programme for its Antonov An-32s and Dornier Do 228s in 2009.[13]

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The primary role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. However, DRDO, ADA and HAL are also developing a range of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. The IAF 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 pilot-less target aircraft. HAL Lakshya, indigenously-developed pilotless target aircraft, was inducted into the IAF in July 2005. 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. Helicopters in service with the IAF are:

On 15 October 2006 India agreed to acquire 80 Mi-17 helicopters from the Russian Federation in a deal worth approximately US$662 million.[14] 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 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 2004, the IAF placed an order for 66 BAE Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers in a deal worth over 1 billion GBP, with deliveries beginning in November, 2007 and induction in February, 2008. Another order for up to 40 more of the aircraft is expected to be placed with BAE Systems in 2008. Pilot instructors and engineers have already been trained in the UK, and the aircraft will go into 'Stage III training' service in mid-2008. The supply of these advanced trainer aircraft will bring to an end the use of the MiG-21 as a training jet. IAF suffered accidents as fighter pilots graduated from basic jet trainers to supersonic jets without intermediary training, and the Hawks were purchased to fill the slot. All 10 Advanced Jet Trainers Hawk delivered by Britain were grounded after one of them skidded off the runway while taking off in Karnataka. Both its Indian and British pilots were safe. The accident occurred at 12.40 p.m. Tuesday 27 April 2008 at the Flying Training Establishment at Bidar, IAF spokesman Wing Commander Mahesh Upasini said. “The (plane was on) a training mission. An inquiry has been ordered into the accident.” IAF sources said that an Indian and a British pilot were in the cockpit. The sources said the prima facie reason appeared to be a technical fault. The fleet of 10 Hawks, purchased off the shelf from Britain, have been grounded until an inquiry is held. The 10 Hawks were inducted into the IAF Feb 24. Of the 66 AJTs, the IAF had contracted to buy from the British BAE Systems at a cost of Rs.80 billion, 24 are being acquired in flyaway condition. The rest will be manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). BAE Systems and HAL are scheduled to complete the delivery of all 66 aircraft by 2011.

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.

Future Aircraft

Further information: Indian MRCA Competition

The Indian Air Force 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 itinerary 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 an 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-16IN. Besides the F-16s, the US has also offered the sale of [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.

Apart from the 126 multi-role combat aircraft, 110 Su-30MKI air superiority fighters (out of the 240 Su-30MKI fighters ordered, 120 are already in service with the IAF), 220 Light Combat Aircraft, 47 Jaguar combat aircraft, 4 Tu-22M3 bombers, the Indian Air Force has signed contracts for 66 BAE Hawk Mk.132 trainers (deliveries in the pipeline), 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 MiG-29 aircraft.[15]

The Indian Air Force will soon conclude negotiations with Thales, and Dassault Aviation on offset package for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s to Mirage 2000-5 standard. The new capabilities include longer-range detection and weapon firing against multiple targets and an extended operating envelope that will allow a border-protection mission, for instance, with two upgraded Mirages instead of the current six, according to Thales.[16] The contract is estimated to cost 1.5 billion Euros.[17]

Model of Light Combat Helicopter.

Under Development

Weapons

Air to Air Missiles

Air to Surface Missiles

Surface to Air Missiles

Akash missile.

Future Surface to Air Missile Systems

Surface to Surface Missiles

In Fiction

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ "Indian Air Force : Air Force History".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Indian Air Force : Down the Memory Lane".
  3. ↑ "The strength Official website".
  4. ↑ Strategic Affairs, When lightning strikes
  5. ↑ Bangladesh: Out of War, a Nation Is Born Dec. 20, 1971 TIME
  6. ↑ IAF Combat Kills, 1971 war
  7. ↑ Air aspect of the Liberation War 1971 by Air Cadre Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury (Retd)
  8. ↑ India in aerospace defence plan
  9. ↑ [1].
  10. ↑ Indian Air Force. Wings and FBSUs. Bharat-rakshak.com
  11. ↑ Combat Aircraft of The IAF: 1933 - Present
  12. ↑ My fair lady - Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis (Retd)
  13. ↑ Indian Air Force upgrades transport fleet
  14. ↑ Mosnews.com
  15. ↑ ACM FH Major: IAF strengthening India's standing in international arena
  16. ↑ Indian Air Force, Thales, Dassault Rushing Mirage Fighter Upgrade Negotiations
  17. ↑ France offers air-to-air missiles to India
  18. ↑ "India signs deal to buy six C-130 planes from US". "India has agreed to buy six Lockheed Martin Corp C-130J military transport planes in a breakthrough deal with the United States worth about $1 billion that opens a door to closer strategic ties, US officials said on Tuesday. India and the US signed an agreement on Jan 31 for Lockheed to start delivering the four-engine Super Hercules turboprop aircraft in 2011, said Bruce Lemkin, who handles US Air Force international affairs." 
  19. ↑ "India okays C-130Js, restarts utility helicopter tender". "Plans to re-equip the Indian armed forces are moving ahead, with government approval to purchase six Lockheed Martin C-130Js and a fresh tender for utility helicopters. The $1 billion C-130 contract will be the biggest defence deal between India and the USA if confirmed, as expected, during US defense secretary Robert Gates' visit to New Delhi in March. Deliveries should start three years after the contract is signed." 
  20. ↑ "IAF to induct new attack and heavy lift helicopters: Air Chief", IDRW: PTI (6 February 2008). 
  21. ↑ "HAL to bid for Army helicopters", The Hindu (20 February 2008). 
  22. ↑ "Indian Air Force concludes chopper trials for VIP squadron", domain-b (22 January 2008). Retrieved on 7 February 2008. 
  23. ↑ "IAF to induct new attack and heavy lift helicopters: Air Chief", IDRW: PTI (6 February 2008). 
  24. ↑ "IAF to induct new attack and heavy lift helicopters: Air Chief", IDRW: PTI (6 February 2008). 
  25. ↑ Russia to build fifth-generation fighter prototype soon
  26. ↑ Mosnews.com
  27. ↑ Flight Global
  28. ↑ 5th generation fighter to take-off by 2012/articleshow/2503005.cms Times of India
  29. ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India_may_test_futuristic_jets_by_2015/rssarticleshow/3339596.cms
  30. ↑ The Hindu : National : Cabinet panel nod for `Airawat' project
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 IAF initiates process for inducting Akash and Trishul SAM’s
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Indian Air Force to Induct Akash Missile
  33. ↑ Ten-day campaign for intensive trial of Akash
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 MissileUnits.html AIR FORCE MISSILE SQUADRONS AND FLIGHTS
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 STRATEGIC AIR DEFENCES IN A NUCLEAR SOUTH ASIA
  36. ↑ Article on the Newa-SCM package
  37. ↑ Trishul Missile Project Completed at the Cost of Rs. 275 Crore
  38. ↑ India to Buy Israeli "SPYDER" Mobile Air Defense System
  39. ↑ SPYDER SAM System for India. India Defence
  40. ↑ CVC to probe missile deal with Israel
  41. ↑ "Rafael to join hands with Tata Power for maintenance of ADS" (24 February 2008). Retrieved on 24 February 2008. 
  42. ↑ Defence Acquisitions Council Approves Spyder Air Defense Deal With Israel
  43. ↑ DRDO to develop quick reaction missile, Maitri, with MBDA
  44. ↑ DRDO, MBDA to Jointly Develop Maitri Quick Reaction Missile
  45. ↑ MBDA To Help India Revive Quick-Reaction Missile
  46. ↑ Ballistic Missile Proliferation in Southern Asia
  47. ↑ Prithvi-India Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems

Videos

External links

See also

Flag of India Military of India
Branches
Indian Army seal Indian Army
Indian Navy seal Indian Navy
Indian Air Force seal Indian Air Force
Indian Coast Guard seal Indian Coast Guard
History · Academies · Ranks and insignia (Army · Air Force · Navy) · Special Forces · Indian Peace Keeping Force · Paramilitary forces · Strategic Forces Command · Strategic Nuclear Command · Ballistic missiles · Weapons of mass destruction
Wars and
conflicts
Indo-Pakistani wars of 1947 / 1965 / 1971 · Operation Polo · Operation Vijay · Sino-Indian War · Chola incident · Siachen conflict · Blue Star · 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish · Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War · Operation Cactus · Kargil War · Kashmir insurgency · 2001 Indian–Bangladeshi border conflict · Operation Parakram