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Indian Air Force

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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 air-based warfare and securing 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. It is the fourth largest air force in the world.

History

Main article: History of the Indian Air Force

Formation and early pilots

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was established with the passing of the Indian Air Force act on October 8 1932. Accordingly, IAF'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)

During World War II, the IAF played an instrumental role 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. During the war, the IAF went through a phase of steady expansion. New aircraft, including the U.S. built Vultee Vengeance and the British Hawker Hurricane and Westland Lysander, were added to its fleet.

In recognition of the services rendered by the IAF, King George VI conferred the prefix "Royal" in 1945. Thereafter the IAF was referred to as Royal Indian Air Force. In 1950, When India became a republic, the prefix was dropped and it reverted back to Indian Air Force.

Further information: [[:India during World War II]]

First Kashmir War 1947

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 the IAF conducted an air trooping 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 troops saved the city from the invaders. Apart from the airlifting operations and supplying essential commodities to the ground troops, the Indian Air Force had no other major role to play in the conflict. On December 31, 1948, both nations agreed to a UN mediated cease-fire proposal marking the end of hostilities. A Line of Control has since separated Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistani-held Kashmir.

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 for UN assistance. In India, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was quick 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. Without essential air support, the Indian Army faced overwhelming odds in their fight against well trained Chinese troops. The Indian leadership grounded the IAF for the majority of the war fearing that if the IAF attacked Chinese forces, the PLAAF would retaliate on Indian cities.

Soon after, the Indian government, learning from its mistakes, began a vigorous campaign to expand the IAF. An emergency flying scheme was started in Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Nagpur, Patiala and Adampur and more than 1,000 cadets received primary flying training by 1964. The IAF's strength was increased from 28,000 officers and men in 1961 to 100,000 officers and men by 1964. By 1965, the IAF had also added newly bought Antonov An-12B and C-119G transport aircraft to its fleet.

Second Kashmir War 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 tested the strength of the Indian Air Force to its full limit. While the Indian air force was successful in bombarding Pakistani air-fields and ammunition depots and providing crucial air cover to the Indian army, its operations against the Pakistani Air Force were met with stiff resistance.

During the War the IAF logged more than 4073 combat sorties[1] with its fleet of 276 aircraft actually employed for the war, compared to the PAF's 2279 total sorties.

Bangladesh Liberation War 1971

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
File:Tangail Airdrop.jpg
IAF C-119 aircraft dropping Indian Paratroopers near Tangail, about 150 km from Dhaka, 11 December 1971.

After the 1965 War, the Indian Air Force went through an intense phase of modernisation and consolidation. With newly acquired HF-24, MiG-21 and Sukhoi Su-7BM aircraft, the IAF was able to measure up to the most powerful air forces in the world.

The professional standards, capability and flexibility were soon put to test in December 1971 when India and Pakistan went to war over (then) 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 Indo-Bangla border in the Battle of Garibpur. In what became the first ever Dogfight over East Pakistan skies (present day Bangladesh), three of the 4 PAF Sabres were shot down by IAF Gnats, and hostilities commenced. 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 Operation Focus. But the plan failed miserably as Indians had anticipated such a move and no major losses were suffered. The Indian response over Pakistan skies however produced severe blows to the PAF.

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 sinking several Pakistani naval vessels in the Bay of Bengal. In the west, the airforce demolished scores of tanks and armoured vehicles in a single battle - the 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 Allied 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 some 45 of own aircraft admitted 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 flowing 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 Pak 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 remaining under Pakistani control.

Operation Cactus 1988

Main article: Operation Cactus

Operation Cactus:[6] In November 1988, the People's Liberation Front of Tamileelam (PLOTE) comprising about 200 Tamil 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 Maldieves. 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
File:Tiger Hill.jpg
A footage of IAF's successful strike mission on Tiger Hill.

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. This is confirmed by an Unofficial Pakistan Air Force Website - PAF Combat.com, maintained by a serving Air Commodore of the PAF. 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

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. (See Atlantique Incident)

IAF air staff

The present Saffron and Green IAF roundel was adopted after India became a republic in 1950.

With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force has a strength of 170,000 personnel and 1129 combat aircraft (2005 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

File:IAF Rank.jpg
The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inspecting Guard of Honour of Indian Air Force at the Lohegaon Airforce Station near Pune on June 8, 2006.

The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff (currently Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi. Now going to be Fali Homi Major on noon of 31 march). The highest rank in the IAF is Marshal of the Air Force, which is conferred by the President of India only in exceptional circumstances. Arjan Singh is the only officer to have achieved this rank (See Field Marshal (India)).

Officer

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

The Indian Air Force uses vertical national colors (tiranga) as its fin flash.

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.

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 Avdesh Kumar Singh
Eastern Air Command Shillong, Meghalaya Air Marshal Fali Homi Major
Central Air Command Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh Air Marshal P V Naik
Southern Air Command Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Air Marshal Sharad Yeshwant Savur
South Western Air Command Gandhinagar, Gujarat Air Marshal P K Mehra
Training Command Bangalore, Karnataka Air Marshal G S Chaudhary
Maintenance Command Nagpur, Maharashtra Air Marshal KS Chaturvedi

Aerospace Command

The IAF is setting up an Aerospace command. This command will have space technology like 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[1][2].

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.

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.

Template:Iafsqns

IAF Bases

Northern Air Command

Western Air Command
Base ICAO Runway Elev. in feet/meters Lat/Lon State
Adampur AFS VIAX 13/31 775 ft. / 236 mts 31° 25' 59.55" N
75° 45' 38.85" E		 Punjab
Ambala AFS VIAM 12L/30R
12R/30L		 900 ft. / 274 mts. 30° 22' 07.16" N
76° 48' 54.21" E		 Haryana
Amritsar AFS VIAR 16/34 755 ft. / 230 mts. 31° 42' 27.95" N
74° 47' 57.25" E		 Punjab
Awantipur AFS VIAW 12/30 5,400 ft. / 1,646 mts. 33° 52' 35.86" N
74° 58' 32.45" E		 Jammu & Kashmir
Bhatinda AFS VIBT 13/31 700 ft. /213 mts. 30° 16' 12.50" N
74° 45' 20.78" E		 Punjab
Chandigarh AFS VICG 11/29 1,012 ft. / 308 mts. 30° 40' 24.49" N
76° 47' 18.75" E		 Union Territory
Halwara AFS VIHX 13/31 790 ft. / 241 mts. 30° 44' 54.72" N
75° 37' 47.23" E		 Punjab
Hindon AFS VIDX 09/27 700 ft. / 213 mts. 28° 42' 27.71" N
77° 21' 30.87" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Leh AFS VILH 06/24
07R/25L
07L/25R		 10,682 ft./ 3,256 mts. 34° 08' 08.63" N
77° 32' 44.58" E		 Jammu & Kashmir
Palam AFS
Delhi		 VIDP 09/27
10/28		 776 ft. / 237 mts 28° 33' 59.40" N
77° 06' 11.12" E		 Union Terrritory
Pathankot AFS VIPK 01/19 1,017 ft. / 310 mts. 32° 14' 01.60" N
75° 38' 04.66" E		 Jammu & Kashmir
Sarsawa AFS VISP 09/27 891 ft. / 272 mts. 29° 59' 39.53" N
77° 25' 27.25" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Siachen Glacier AFS - - 22,000 ft. / 6,706 mts. 35.5° N
77.0° E		 Jammu & Kashmir
Sirsa AFS VISA 05/23 650 ft. / 198 mts. 29° 33' 38.09" N
75° 00' 21.87" E		 Haryana
Srinagar AFS VISR 13/31 5,458 fts. / 1,664 mts. 33° 59' 12.82" N
74° 46' 25.78" E		 Jammu & Kashmir
Udhampur AFS VIUX 18/36 1,950 ft. / 594 mts. 32° 54' 08.06" N
75° 09' 18.54" E		 Jammu & Kashmir

Eastern Air Command

Eastern Air Command
Base ICAO Runway Elev. in feet/meters Lat/Lon State
Agartala AFS VEAT 18/36 48 ft. / 14 mts. 23° 53' 20.90" N
91° 14' 27.90" E		 Tripura
Baghdogra AFS VEBD 18/36 412 ft. / 125 mts. 26° 40' 53.26" N
88° 19' 41.21" E		 West Bengal
Barapani AFS
Shillong		 VEBI 04/22 2910 ft. / 886 mts. 25° 42' 06.10" N
91° 58' 41.45" E		 Meghalaya
Barrackpore AFS VEBR 02/20 18 ft. / 5 mts. 22° 46' 51.74" N
88° 21' 32.05" E		 West Bengal
Chabua AFS
Dibrugarh		 VE30 05/23 350 ft. / 107 mts. 27° 27' 44.03" N
95° 07' 03.54" E		 Assam
Dum Dum AFS
Kolkatta		 VECC 01L/19R
01R/19L		 17 ft. / 5 mts. 22° 39' 17.06" N
88° 26' 48.20" E		 West Bengal
Hasimara AFS
Jalpaiguri		 VE44 11L/29R
11R/29L		 340 ft. /104 mts. 26° 42' 15.46" N
89° 22' 07.95" E		 West Bengal
Jorhat AFS VEJT 04/22 284 ft. / 87 mts. 26° 43' 50.94" N
94° 10' 32.99" E		 Assam
Kalaikunda AFS VE60 17/35 200 ft. / 60 mts. 22° 20' 22.23" N
87° 12' 52.19" E		 West Bengal
Kumbhigram AFS
Silchar		 VEKU 06/24 352 ft. / 107 mts. 24° 54' 46.54" N
92° 58' 43.47" E		 Assam
Mohanbari AFS
Dibrugarh		 VEMN 05/23 361 ft. / 110 mts. 27° 29' 00.13" N
95° 01' 03.13" E		 Assam
Mountain Shadow AFS
Guwahati		 VEGT 05/23 350 ft. / 107 mts. 27° 27' 44.03" N
95° 07' 03.54" E		 Assam
Tawang AFS - - 8,756 ft. / 2,669 mts. 27° 34' 60 N
91° 52' 0 E		 Arunachal Pradesh
Tezpur AFS VETZ 04/22 240 ft. / 73 mts. 26° 42' 36.07" N
92° 47' 03.41" E		 Assam
Panagarh AFS VEPH 15/33 240 ft. / 73 mts. 23° 28' 28.08" N
87° 25' 40.21" E		 West Bengal

Central Air Command

Central Air Command
Base ICAO Runway Elev. in feet/meters Lat/Lon State
Agra AFS VIAG 05/23
12/30		 551 ft. 167 mts. 27° 09' 20.99" N
077° 57' 39.21" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Bakshi Ka Talab AFS
near Lucknow		 VIBL 09/27 385 ft./ 117 mts. 26° 59' 18.40" N
80° 53' 35.10" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Bamrauli AFS
Allahabad		 VIAL 06/24
12/30		 322 ft./ 98 mts. 25° 26' 20.99" N
81° 44' 03.00" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Bareilly AFS VIBY 11/29 565 ft./ 172 mts. 28° 25' 20.84" N
79° 26' 59.83" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Chakeri AFS
Kanpur		 VICX 01/19
09/27		 410 ft./124 mts. 26° 24' 15.48" N
80° 24' 36.43" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Gorakhpur AFS VEGK 11/29 259 ft. / 78 mts. 26° 44' 22.95" N
83° 26' 58.95" E		 Uttar Pradesh
Maharajpur AFS
Gwalior		 VIGR 06/24 617 ft. 188mts. 26° 17' 38.06" N
78° 13' 39.99" E		 Madhya Pradesh

Southern Air Command

Southern Air Command
Base ICAO Runway Elev. in feet/meters Lat/Lon State
Begumpet AFS
Hyderabad		 VOHY 09/27
14/32		 1,741 ft. /531 mts. 17° 27' 08.70" N
78° 27' 40.00" E		 Andhra Pradesh
Bidar AFS VOBR 02/20
08/26		 2,178 ft. /663 mts. 17° 54' 28.41" N
77° 29' 09.03" E		 Karnataka
Car Nicobar AFS VOCX 02/20 42 ft.s / 13 mts. 09° 09' 11.51" N
92° 49' 09.81" E		 Nicobar Islands
Coimbatore AFS
Sulur		 VOSX 05/23 1,319 ft. / 402 mts. 11° 01' 53.12" N
77° 02' 38.25" E		 Tamil Nadu
Dundigal AFS VODG 10L/28R
10R/28L		 2,013 ft. / 614 mts. 17° 37' 45.93" N
78° 24' 12.57" E		 Andhra Pradesh
Hakimpet AFS
Hyderabad		 VO28 09/27 2,020 ft. / 616 mts. 17° 33' 12.57" N
78° 31' 29.64" E		 Andhra Pradesh
Madurai AFS VOMD 09/27 461 ft. / 141 mts. 09° 50' 04.23" N
78° 05' 36.16" E		 Tamil Nadu
Port Blair AFS VOPB 04/22 16 mts. /5 mts. 11° 38' 53.01" N
92° 44' 05.14" E		 Andaman Islands
Tambaram AFS VOTX 05/23
12/30		 90 ft. / 27 mts. 12° 54' 24.62" N
80° 07' 16.55" E		 Tamil Nadu
Trivandrum AFS VOTV 14/32 15 ft. / 5 mts. 08° 28' 55.85" N
76° 55' 05.86" E		 Kerala
Yelahanka AFS
Bangalore		 VOYK 09/27 3,045 ft. / 928 mts. 13° 08' 09.04" N
77° 36' 20.99" E		 Karnataka

Western Air Command

South Western Air Command
Base ICAO Runway Elev. in feet/meters Lat/Lon State
Bhuj AFS VABJ 05/23 268 ft./82 mts. 23° 17' 16.18" N
69° 40' 12.53" E		 Gujarat
Gandhinagar AFS
Ahmedabad		 VAAH 10/28
14/32		 189 ft. 58 mts. 23° 04' 29.05" N
72° 37' 54.30" E		 Gujarat
Jaisalmer AFS VIJR 04/22 887 ft. / 270 mts. 26° 53' 21.83" N
70° 51' 52.87" E		 Rajasthan
Jamnagar AFS VAJM 06/24
12/30		 69 ft. / 21 mts. 22° 27' 59.11" N
70° 00' 41.12" E		 Gujarat
Jodhpur AFS VIJO 05/23 717 ft. / 219 mts. 16° 15' 05.03" N
73° 02' 53.37" E		 Rajasthan
Lohegaon AFS
Pune		 VAPO 10/28
14/32		 1,942 ft. / 592 mts. 18° 34' 55.60" N
73° 55' 10.91" E		 Maharashtra
Nagpur AFS VANP 09/27
14/32		 1,012 ft. /308 mts. 21° 0 5' 31.89" N
79° 02' 49-86" E		 Maharashtra
Nal-Bikaner AFS VIBK 05/23 750 ft. / 229 mts. 28° 04' 21.18" N
73° 12' 24.53" E		 Rajasthan
Naliya AFS - 06/24 68 ft. /21 mts. 23° 13' 12.00"N
68° 54' 0.00" E		 Gujarat
Ojhar AFS
Nasik		 VAOZ 08/26 1,900 ft. / 579 mts. 20° 07' 14.23" N
73° 54' 47.47"E		 Maharashtra
Phalodi AFS
Suratgarh		 - 05/23 700 ft. / 213 mts. 29° 23' 15.99" N
73° 54' 14.12" E		 Rajasthan
Uttarlai AFS VIUT 02/20 500 ft. / 152 mts. 25° 48' 46.78" N
71° 28' 56.23" E		 Rajasthan

IAF Aircraft

Main article: List of aircraft of the IAF
HAL Su-30 MKI

The Indian Air Force has a strength of 750+ combat aircraft and presently operates with a total of 42 squadrons. Most of the IAF's fighter jets are of French, Russian and British origin, with designs by the latter two countries being constructed by Hindustan Aviation under license. The indigenously-built HAL Tejas (formerly Light Combat Aircraft) is expected to enter service by 2010.

The various types of combat aircraft in the IAF are listed below.

Aircraft inventory

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service[7] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Squadrons[8] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |-----

| Mikoyan MiG-21 ||  Soviet Union

 India || fighter

fighter

fighter

trainer

fighter || total MiG-21

MiG-21bis

MiG-21MF

MiG-21UM

MiG-21-93 Bison || 268

85

24

35

124 || 14 squadrons

4, 15, 23, 26, 35, 45

17, 37, 101, 108

used by all MiG-21 squadrons

3, 21, 32, 51 || all but MiG-21UM built by HAL

|-----

| Mikoyan MiG-23 ||  Soviet Union || attack

fighter

trainer || MiG-23BN

MiG-23MF

MiG-23UM || 47

25

10 || 221, 224 || being withdrawn

|----- | Mikoyan MiG-25 ||  Soviet Union || reconnaissance || MiG-25R || || 102 || reported[8] |----- | Mikoyan MiG-27 ||  India || attack || MiG-27M || 30 || 2, 10, 18, 22, 29, 222, TACDE(0.5) || built by HAL; being withdrawn |-----

| Mikoyan MiG-29 ||  Russia || fighter

trainer || MiG-29

MiG-29UB || 61

7 || 28, 47, 223 ||

|-----

| Dassault Mirage 2000 ||  France || fighter

trainer || Mirage 2000H

Mirage 2000TH || 38

11 || 1, 7, 9 ||

|-----

| Sepecat Jaguar ||  Europe

 India || attack

trainer

attack

attack

attack || total Jaguar

Jaguar IB

Jaguar IM

Jaguar IS

Jaguar S || 118

24

11

58

25 || 5, 10, 14, 16, 27 || 93 built by HAL

|-----

| Sukhoi Su-30 ||  Russia

 India || fighter || Su-30K

Su-30MK

Su-30MKI || 8

10

34 || 20, 24, 30 || 2 Su-30MKI built by HAL; deliveries underway

|----- | Antonov An-32 ||  Ukraine || 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 ||  India || tactical transport || Do 228-201 || 28 || 41, TTW, 6 Comm Flts (2 A/c) || built by HAL |----- | Embraer EMB 135 ||  Brazil || VIP transport || ECJ-135 Legacy || 5 || Air HQ Flt || |-----

| English Electric Canberra ||  United Kingdom || trainer

reconnaissance

attack || Canberra T.54

Canberra PR.57

Canberra B(I).58 || 2

2

3 || 106 'B' Flight ||

|----- | Gulfstream III ||  United States || VIP transport || || 3 || || |-----

| Ilyushin Il-76 ||  Russia || transport

tanker || Il-76

Il-78MKI || 25

6 || 44, 25 'A'

78 ||

|----- | HAL Dhruv ||  India || utility helicopter || || 30 || || deliveries underway |----- | Eurocopter Dauphin ||  France || utility helicopter || SA 365 || 6 || || |-----

| Aérospatiale Alouette III ||  France

 India || utility helicopter || SA 316B Chetak || 92 || 111, 116, 141SSS F, 142SSS F, HTS || 60 built by HAL

|----- | Aérospatiale Lama ||  India || utility helicopter || SA 315B Cheetah || 24 || 114, 131F, 132F || built by HAL |----- | HAL HJT-16 ||  India || trainer || || 85 || || |----- | HAL HPT-32 ||  India || trainer || || 82 || BFTS, FIS, AFA || |-----

| Mil Mi-8 ||  Russia || 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 ||  Russia || attack helicopter || Mi-35 || 32 || 104, 125 || |----- | Mil Mi-26 ||  Russia || transport helicopter || || 8 || 126HF || |}

Air superiority aircraft

File:IAFMiG.JPG
IAF MiG-29 over Pune
File:M1000.JPG
IAF Mirage 2000 Twin Seat
IAF MiG-27
IAF Jaguar IS seen besides an RAF Tornado
File:Indian Air Force Cheetah.png
IAF Cheetah

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI (MKI: 'Multifunctional Commercial - Indian') is the IAF's prime air superiority combat aircraft. 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 license 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 17,500 metres. The aircraft with a normal fuel load of 5270 kg can travel up to 1900 miles and can carry 8,000 kg of external armament.On February 8 2007 India requested 40 additional Su-30,s.

Multi role combat aircraft

These are aircraft for strike, offensive support and air defence purposes. The IAF currently possesses several multi-role fighter jets that perform these functions. Single-seater Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 serve both strike and defense squadrons. The MiG-29 (fulcrum) has a top speed of 2445 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 2500 km/h (Mach 2.3), the Mirage 2000 is the IAF's prime ground-attack fighter jet. 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. 175+ multi-role MiG-21 (Fishbed) combat aircraft have been serving the IAF for the past two decades. The air force plans to eventually replace MiG-21s with the indigenously-built LCA HAL Tejas by about 2010.

Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft

Squadrons of Jaguar IS, MiG-27 and MiG-23 aircraft serve as the IAF's primary strike force. The twin-engine Jaguar IB, with a top speed of Mach 1.3, is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. 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 aircraft

Besides various unmanned aircraft for reconnaissance. The IAF used to operate a fleet of MiG-25 (Foxbat) R, U reconnaissance aircraft till 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. In 2003, the IAF bought 6 IL-78 aircraft from Russia. The aircraft's primary role is mid-air re-fueling. Later on, the IAF fitted the aircraft with Israeli IAI Phalcon early warning and communication systems, making the Il-78 capable of carrying out reconnaissance missions.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The IAF currently operates IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and Heron UAVs. IAF units are being provided with these UAVs progressively and projected to boast one of the largest UAV fleets in the world.

Israel Aircraft Industries and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), India's leading unmanned aerial vehicle research agency are also jointly developing three new UAVs.

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 Nishant Remote Piloted Vehicle (RPV) has also been developed, with an endurance of over 3 hours. It will be inducted into the Indian army by 2007. The 380 kg Nishant UAV does not require a runway to launch, and is launched by rail-launching from a hydro-pneumatic launcher. Launches at a velocity of 45 m/s are carried out in 0.6 seconds with 100 kW power. Another smaller mini-UAV, called Kapothaka is also being developed by Aeronautical Development Aagency. DRDO's Vehicle research Development Establishment (VRDE) also developed a UAV based on the Nishant engine.

Support helicopter

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:

On Oct. 15, 2006, India agreed to acquire 80 Mi-17 helicopters from Russia in a deal worth approximately US$662 million dollars[3].

Training aircraft

The Indian Air Force currently operates more than 175 MiG-21 aircraft. Nearly 50 of these are the older Type-77 variant (MiG-21FL) which are used for operational training. 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. 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.

Future Aircraft

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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.

The Indian Air Force currently operates more than 175 MiG-21 aircraft. Due to its aging equipment, several MiG-21s used in training roles have crashed over the past six years, killing over 50 IAF pilots. 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 aircraft.

Eager to end its dependence on the MiG-21s, the IAF announced that it intended to purchase 126 aircraft worth over US$9 billion in 2006.[4] The air force sent a Request of Information (RoI) for the following aircraft: Russian MiG-29 M2, French Mirage 2000-5Mk2 and 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[5]. However, the IAF seemed inclined towards purchasing the MiG-35 (MiG-29OVT). In 2005 it planned to purchase 12 Mirage 2000-5 from Qatar but Doha ceased negotiations with New Delhi for the sale of the aircraft claiming the bid quoted by India was too low. IAF has placed an order for 29 upgraded versions of indigenously-manufactured Jaguar IM strike aircraft.

Experts estimate that for India to exert influence over South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, it would require at least 60 squadrons of aircraft performing multi-role combat, deep penetration strike, air superiority, air defence, reconnaissance and electronic warfare tasks. However, the IAF presently operates only 42 squadrons, making the acquisition of these, and other aircraft all the more vital. In November 2005, the Indian Defence Ministry decided to purchase 200 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft instead of the initial proposal of 126 aircraft, opening the door for more than one supplier. The value of the original contract was 6 Billion USD; the revised plan brings the total value of the contract to 11 billion USD. The new aircraft will not only increase IAF fleet but would also replace aging Jaguars, MiG-23s and MiG-27s.

It is reported that most IAF officers favour the MiG-35 and the Mirage 2000-9 over the F-16s and F/A-18 Hornets. MiG and Dassault have historically been reliable suppliers in terms of transfers of technology, licensed production in India, personnel training, supply of spare parts, maintenance and upgrading. 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.[6]

Apart from the 200 multi-role combat aircraft and 120+ Light Combat Aircraft, the Indian Air Force was recently given a clearance by the Indian Ministry of Defence to purchase 80+ combat helicopters, six to eight air-refuelling planes and some additional medium-range transport aircraft. India is considering the purchase of 10 to 15 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

In Development

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HAL Tejas

Besides 200 medium multi-role combat aircraft, the IAF will also buy 120+ indigenously-built HAL Tejas light combat aircraft in a deal worth US$ 1.5 billion. These aircraft are expected to enter service beginning from 2010. 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 66 Hawk T.132s will begin arriving in India from 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. As of 2003 it was undergoing flight testing. The aircraft is set to go into production for the Russian and Indian Air Force in 2009. The aircraft is hoped to enter service for India in 2009-2010.

India is also planning to construct a fifth generation aircraft named as the 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.

India is also developing a fifth generation stealth fighter called the Medium Combat Aircraft, and has also joined Russia in the development of their fifth generation fighter called the PAK FA.

Missile systems

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The Prithvi missile of the Indian Air Force.

Besides conducting air-based warfare, Indian Air Force also bears the responsibility of protecting Indian skies making anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missiles an important component of the IAF. The most notable missile systems under the IAF are Prithvi 2 ballistic missiles and the SAM 3 Pechora air defence system. The IAF also operates several OSA-AK Air Defence batteries for airdefence of airfields, in addition to several flights using the SA-16 Igla MANPADS missiles.

The IAF and the Indian Army are currently developing Akash and Trishul surface-to-air missiles as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The Indian Air Force will introduce 18 SPYDER air defence systems[7].

References

  1. ^ IAF Combat Kills, 1965 war
  2. ^ Strategic Affairs, When lightning strikes
  3. ^ Bangladesh: Out of War, a Nation Is Born Dec. 20, 1971 TIME
  4. ^ IAF Combat Kills, 1971 war
  5. ^ Air aspect of the Liberation War 1971 by Air Cdre Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury (Retd)
  6. ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1990s/Cactus.html
  7. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15 2007.
  8. ^ a b Indian Air Force Fleet Page.

Notes

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