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List of active Indian military aircraft

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 96.52.193.72 (talk) at 03:14, 7 March 2009 (→‎Combat aircraft: Lets put MRCA out of the combat aircrat heading till the winner of this competition is selected). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Indian Air Force, often abbreviated as the IAF, is the world's fourth largest air force after those of the United States, Russia and China; and operates more than 1430 combat and 1700 non-combat aircraft. Here is a list of those aircraft which have served the IAF, and also those which are currently or are expected to enter service:

Current aircraft

AWACS

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 ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Squadrons ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | Ilyushin/IAI Phalcon ||  Russia
 Israel || AWACS || Phalcon || 1 || 50 ||First AWACS aircraft is inducted to No 50 sq based in Agra on 17 Jan 2009. According to the revised delivery schedule, second and third ones now expected in October/November 2009 and April/May 2010. Order for another 3 in process, reports suggest that deal was inked in Nov 08. IAF is keen on building up its Phalcon AWACS fleet to a strength to six. AWACS will enable the IAF to carry out tactical surveillance over a radius of 400 kilometers and collect surface target information deep inside Pakistan even as the aircraft operates within Indian airspace.[1] | |}

Combat aircraft

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[2][3] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Trainers[2][3] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Squadrons[2][3] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |- | Sukhoi Su-30MKI Flanker-H ||  Russia India || Multi Role Air Superiority fighter || Su-30MKI Flanker-G || 120+ || 0 || 8, 20, 24, 30, 31 ||India eventually will acquire a total of 230 aircraft by 2014-15.[4] |- | HAL Tejas ||  India || Multirole Fighter || HAL Tejas || || || || 20 are on order (16 + 4); Reports suggest orders for another 8 two-seaters shortly. |- | Dassault Mirage 2000 ||  France || Multi Role Fighter || Mirage 2000-5 || 39 || 12 || 1, 7, 9 || Mirage fleet of 51 aircraft to be upgraded to Mirage 2000/5 standards. As of April, 2008, Thales & Dassault chosen as Upgrade OEMs.[5] |- | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum ||  Soviet Union || Air Superiority Fighter || MiG-29SMT || 63 || 6 || 28, 47, 223 || 69 aircraft to be upgraded, deal signed in 2008 for $ 964 Million. Upgrade to latest SMT standards but with additional Indian/Israeli/French equipment, plus new version of Zhuk ME radar, new Mission computers, airframe overhaul, new EW fit, new engines etc. |- |rowspan="2"| SEPECAT Jaguar ||rowspan="2"|  France United Kingdom || Deep penetration fighter bomber || Jaguar IS || 104 || 25 || 5, 14, 16, 27, 224 || HAL has closed the production line for the Jaguar, now using it for AJTs. In all 178 aircraft have been received by the IAF, including 20 IS + 17 IB new builds.Total 6 sqdns. Around 35 aircraft have been lost in accidents. [6][7][8] |- | Maritime air support || Jaguar IM || 6 + 4 || 2 || 6 || |- | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 ||  Soviet Union || Ground Attack Fighter || MiG-27ML || 120 || 11 MiG-23UM || 10, 18, 22, 29, 222, TACDE(0.5) || 40 aircraft have been upgraded (Sqdns 10 and 29)[9] |- |rowspan="3"| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed ||rowspan="3"|  Soviet Union||rowspan="3"| Multi Role Fighter || MiG-21 Bison ||108 || 13 || 3,4, 21, 23, 32, 51 ||rowspan="3"| 125 MiG-21bis upgraded to Bison standard,(4 lost in accidents) with Kopyo radar, R-77 and R-73E missiles, glass cockpit, new avionics and self defence equipment. Another 50 odd Mig-21FL's/earlier models with various units like MOFTU-A/B, OCU's etc. All MiG-21s to be phased out by 2011 except MiG-21 Bison, which will stay in service up to 2025. |- | MiG-21bis|| 48 || 8 || 15, 26 |- | MiG-21M/MF || 72 || 9 || 17, 35 , 37, 101, 108 |-

|colspan="4"|

Total number of aircraft

|| 672 || 90 || 672 + 90 = 762 ||

|- |}

Helicopters

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[2] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Squadrons[2]

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |- | HAL Dhruv ||  India || utility helicopter || Dhruv || 36 || 117, 132, 151 || deliveries underway, another 54 to be acquired by 2012 (Reports suggest - 38 Utility + 16 armed).[10] |- | Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III ||  France || utility helicopter || SA 316B Chetak || 48 || 111, 116, 141SSS F, 142SSS F, HTS || 60 were built by HAL; to be replaced in the near future, by the Dhruv plus evaluation of various types in progress. |- | Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama ||  France || utility helicopter || SA 315B Cheetah || 24 || 114, 131F, 132F || built by HAL/ to be replaced in the near future, evaluation of various types in process. |- |rowspan="2"| Mil Mi-8/17 ||rowspan="2"|  Soviet Union ||rowspan="2"| transport helicopter || Mi-8 || 102 || 105,109, 110, 112,119, 121, 122F ||rowspan="2"| The 102 Mi 8's to be replaced by 80 weaponized Mi-17V-5's , for delivery early 2010-2013. $ 1.2 billion deal signed on 5/12/08. Reports also suggest that the Augusta-Westland EH 101 ( 8 VIP + 4 Utility) has been shortlisted for replacing the VIP Mi-8/-17's. |- | Mi-17 || 70+ || 107,118,127, 128, 129, 130, 152, 153 |- | Mil Mi-35 Hind-E ||  Soviet Union || attack helicopter || Mi-35 || 20 || 104, 125 || upgraded/ 22 replacements being evaluated |- | Mil Mi-26 Halo ||  Soviet Union || transport helicopter || Mi-26 || 4 || 126HF || 2 - 3 operational ? / 8-12 replacements being evaluated. |-

|colspan="4"|

Total number of Helicopters

|| 375 + || ||

|- |}

Transport aircraft

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[2] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Squadrons[2] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |- | Antonov An-32 Cline ||  Soviet Union || Tactical Transport || An-32 || 105 || 12, 25'B', 33, 43, 48, 49, PTS, TTW || to be upgraded from 2009 onwards, to improve avionics, range and payload also to increase engine lifespan, some also may be upgraded with systems so they can perform maritime duties. Some reports show 90 (?) in service. 13 lost in various accidents over last 20+ years. |- | Hawker Siddeley HS 748 ||  United Kingdom || Tactical Transport || HS 748-100 || <64 || 11, 41 'A', 59, 106 'A', 6 Cmd Flts (2 A/c) || A handful of 748s are used for ELINT, fitted with indigenous equipment. Reports suggest less than @ 40 operational ?? To be replaced by the MRTA ? |- | Boeing 737 ||  United States || VIP transport || 737-200 || 2 || Air HQ Comn Sqn || |- | Boeing Business Jet ||  United States || VVIP transport || 737-800 || 3 || Air HQ Comn Sqn || Air Force One version of India. Also used for ELINT, fitted with indigenous equipment developed by the DRDO and manufactured by BEL. All 3 new operational by Feb.2009. |- | Dornier Do 228 ||  Germany || Light Tactical Transport || Do 228-201 || 40 || 41, TTW, 6 Comm Flts (2 A/c) || built by HAL; Upgrade programme being considered. |- |rowspan="2"|Ilyushin Il-76 Candid ||rowspan="2"|  Soviet Union || Heavy Transport || Il-76 || 32 || 44, 25 'A' ||Some reports suggest Upgrade programme being initiated, with eventual replacement by Il-78MKI-90's(???) |- |tanker || Il-78MKI || 6 || 78 || ARP-3 refueling pods from Israel/follow on order for 6 more aircraft being actively evaluated/price negotiations on (along with the Airbus 330-200 MRTT). |- | Embraer EMB 135 ||  Brazil || VIP transport || ECJ-135 Legacy || 5 || Air HQ Comn Sqn || |-

|colspan="4"|

Total Transport Aircraft

|| 257+ || ||

|- |}

Trainers

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[11] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Squadrons[2] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | BAE Hawk ||  United Kingdom || trainer/light attack || Hawk 132 || 23 || || 106 ordered (66 with follow-on order of 40)( 1 lost in accident);10 were to be delivered by HAL by Mar 2009, delayed by 6 months. |----- | HAL HJT-16 Kiran ||  India || trainer/light attack || HJT-16 || <80 || || to be replaced from 2010 onwards by the HJT-36 Sitara, 16 of which were ordered in 2003. Eventual orders could be as high as 200 (???) |----- | HAL HPT-32 Deepak ||  India || trainer/light attack || HJT-32 || <70 || || some reports suggest all not operational |----- |}

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Version ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Squadrons ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | DRDO Nishant ||  India || || Reconnaissance Remotely Piloted Vehicle - RPV|| ? || || Indian Army has placed an order for 12 Nishant UAVs along with ground support systems. Deliveries underway. |----- | Lakshya PTA ||  India || ||Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) || 23+ || || surface/ship launched high subsonic reusable aerial target system, remotely piloted from ground. It provides training to the gun/missile crew and to air defence pilots for weapon engagement. |----- | IAI Harpy ||  Israel || ||Fire & Forget Radar Emitter Destroyer || 90 || || |----- |rowspan="2"| IAI Heron ||rowspan="2"|  Israel || Heron II ||Strategic Multi-Role UAV || 20+ ||rowspan="2"| ||rowspan="2"| |----- | Heron I || 4th Generation strategic reconnaissance and surveillance UAV || 50+ |----- |rowspan="2"| IAI Searcher ||rowspan="2"|  Israel ||Searcher Mk-II||4th Generation tactical multi-payload UAV || 100+ ||rowspan="2"| ||rowspan="2"| |----- | Searcher Mk-I || 3rd Generation Intelligence mini-UAV || 50 |}

Future aircraft

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Year ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft ||  India || 2010 || 20 aircraft (16+4) already on order. Plus, reports suggest 8 more Two seaters to be ordered shortly; Eventually to be inducted from end of 2011 onwards, total units expected to be 140 - 220 aircraft, including two seat versions. Aircraft to have around 70% Indian content. Primary aims are to replace MiG-21 and early MiG-23's in service. The LCA is to be a light air superiority aircraft with significant multirole capabilities, and in flight refuelling. FOC expected around 2010-11, production to continue till 2020 for a minimum of around seven - ten squadrons in service (140 - 220 aircraft). |----- | DRDO AEW&CS || India Brazil || 2011 - 2012 || 3 AEW&C aircraft on order. Aircraft to have ESM/ SIGINT/ CSM ability. Locally developed by the DRDO using the Embraer ERJ-145 (3 ordered) as the carrier. Intended to act as a vital backup node to the more expensive Phalcons, for an in-depth air defense network. More orders expected but of a more capable derivative, based on a larger aircraft platform. |----- | MRCA ||  United States
 France
 Russia
 Sweden
 Europe || 2012 - 2014 || India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is to acquire 126 Multi-Role aircraft at an estimated cost of $10.24 Billion; the program may be extended to acquire a total of 200 aircraft. Competitors for the bid include F-16 Falcon IN, JAS-39 Gripen NG, MiG-35, Dassault Rafale, F-18 E/F Super Hornet & the Eurofighter Typhoon. The acquisition will give a significant boost to the IAF and make up for the retirement of its older MiGs and Jaguars. |----- | FGFA ||  Russia
 India || 2015 ||Serious development and funding programme being put in place, Reports suggest formal Indo-Russian agreement(HAL-UAC) signed on 23/12/08. First flight of the Indian derivative expected in end 2011. Being developed from the Russian Su T-50, Tandem-seat varient. [12] Indian Air Force plans for up to 10 Squadrons of the type. Reports suggest that as the Su 30MKI production tapers off in 2014-15, production of the FGFA will start by HAL in 2014-15. |----- | HAL Light Combat Helicopter ||  India || 2012 ||65 LCH to be delivered to the IAF from 2012 to 2015; Developed from the Dhruv; flight tests now by late 2009(delayed 1 year); FOC end 2011. Reports suggest whole programme delayed by about 1 year because of 'overweight' problems.[13] Developed from the ALH Dhruv. |----- | C-130J Hercules ||  United States || 2011 ||Six ordered for Special Operations. Options for 6 more. |----- | Ilyushin/HAL Tactical Transport Aircraft ||  Russia
 India || 2015 ||First flight expected in 2011. Irkut has pulled out of the project after an industry realignment and has been replaced by Ilyushin. Total cost of development is 600 million US$. The envisaged requirement is for 100 aircraft for the Russian Air Force, 45+ for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and a projected demand of 60 from third countries. The IAF sees the aircraft as a replacement for its ageing fleet of 60-70 An-32/ and Avro HS 748 aircraft. Planned Specs: Maximum takeoff weight: 55,000 kg, Capacity: 88 to 100 paratroopers/­passengers, Payload: 18.5 tons. The deal was signed in November 2007 during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow. Rosoboronexport has now identified Ilyushin Aviation Complex as the new prime nodal agency after Irkut pulled out of the project in March 2008. The development and certification of the new aircraft is expected to be completed within six years[14] |----- | NAL Saras ||  India || 2011 ||Initial order for 15 aircraft and 30 more to be procured [15][16] |----- | Medium Combat Aircraft ||  India || ||A 5th Generation aircraft which is under preliminary development. Project not yet formally launched. Expected to be cleared only once LCA enters service. Expected to be a Jaguar/ Mirage 2000 replacement. |----- | Attack Helicopter || United States
 Russia
 France || 2010-11 ||Earlier up to 80 helicopters were projected to complement the existing Mi-25/ 35 attack helicopters, but after considering the development of the indigenous HAL LCH, this number has been reduced to 22. RFI issued/outright purchase. Boeing's AH-64D Apache, Mil's Mi-28, Kamov's Ka-52 and Eurocopter's Tiger are the front-runners for this order.[17] |----- | Transport Helicopters ||  United States
 Russia || 2011-12 ||Indian Air Force has circulated the Request for Information for Heavy Lift Helicopters to the vendors. For this contract, the bidders could include Boeing's CH-47 Chinooks, Sikorsky and Russian MI's. Indian Air Force has the requirement of 6 such helicopters. |----- | Light Observation Helicopters || Russia
 United States
 Italy
 France
 India || 2011 onwards ||Indian Air Force has the requirement of 197 Helicopters, Indian Army has the requirement of 120 helicopters and Indian Navy has the requirement of 50-60 Helicopters to replace its aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Earlier Ministry of Defense had scrapped a deal in which Eurocopter Fennec AS 550C3 was choosen but later some irregularities were found in the selection process. Earlier the helicopters were sought only for India Air Force and now the Indian Army has joined and Indian Navy is likely to join soon. Letters of interest have been sent to Kamov, Russia, Bell, US, Augusta Westland, Italy and Eurocopter, France. Recently HAL has also joined the race with its HAL Light Observation Helicopter. Deal is expected to be signed in 2010 and deliveries will start latest by 2011, late by 2 years as per earlier schedule. |----- | AgustaWestland AW101 || United Kingdom
 Italy || || It is a Medium Lift Helicopter/VIP Transport Helicopter. It is one of the contenders for the Indian VIP Helicopters and Medium Lift helicopters. IAF had floated a tender in 2006 for supply of 8 VIP Helicopters (12 person) at the cost of $25 million each and 4 Medium Lift Helicopters (30 person) at the cost of $13 million each to replace Mi-8 Helicopters of VIP Squadron. IAF has concluded helicopter trials of the contenders AgustaWestland AW101 and Sikorsky S-92 helicopters in the period 14-19 January, 2008. IAF found that Sikorsky S-92 failed to meet their requirements. The contract is likely to be signed before March 2009. The deliveries will begin in early 2010. VIP helicopters are expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art, open-architecture gear for encrypted communications by the VIPs, including the prime minister. |----- | HAL HJT-36 ||  India || 2009 onwards || The HJT-36 will replace the HJT-16 Kiran in its role of as a trainer (Stage-2) in the Indian Air Force. Final production could be 225+ aircraft, serving both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. Custom made engines AL-55I arrived in India from Russia in late December 2008 and is currently undergoing integration with PT-1 (Prototype-1) |----- | DRDO Rustom ||  India || || Rustom is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) being developed by DRDO for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force of the Indian Armed Forces. Rustom is derived from the NAL's LCRA (Light Canard Research Aircraft) developed by a team under the leadership of late Prof.Rustom in the 1980s. Rustom will replace/supplement the Heron UAV's in service with the Indian armed forces. The first low speed taxi trials of the first prototype were carried out on September 22, 2008. |----- | DRDO Pawan ||  India || || This is a short range Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) being developed by ADE lab of DRDO and HAL. Development of the short-range, vehicle-mounted Pawan is expected to cost $33.2 million. Meant to equip Indian army divisions, the Pawan will be comparable in size and capabilities to Israel’s Eye View, Hermes 180 and Silver Arrow drones. The 120-kilogram Pawan will have day-and-night surveillance capability, an endurance of five hours and a range of 150 kilometers. ADE plans to build four Pawan prototypes under this development program, with Israel Aircraft Industries electro-optic sensors for the payload and its own stabilizer platform. The engine will be purchased from outside India. |----- | DRDO Gagan ||  India || || This is a Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) being developed by ADE lab of DRDO and HAL. The $55.5 million Gagan UAV program will feature development of an advanced version of India's Nishant UAV. The Gagan UAV will have a range of 250 kilometers and an altitude of 6,000 meters. ADE will procure synthetic aperture radar and electro-optic sensors from Israel, and develop its own electronic countermeasure systems. ADE got the funding clearance in May, 2005, and four prototypes will be built within 42 months. |----- |}

Historical aircraft

Fighters

Bombers/Ground attack

General purpose

Transport aircraft

Helicopters

Reconnaissance

Trainers

See also

References

  1. ^ Air Force starts flight tests of first Phalcon Il-76 airborne early warning system
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Indian Air Force Fleet Page Bharat-Rakshak.com. Cite error: The named reference "bharat-rakshak" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Ministry of Defence Press Release about Fighter Aircraft losses for 2004-2008
  4. ^ Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker opens office in India
  5. ^ France offers air-to-air missiles to India
  6. ^ IB Darin II Jaguar 02
  7. ^ IB Darin II Jaguar
  8. ^ Darin2_Cockpit
  9. ^ MiG-27 fleet upgraded to modern standards
  10. ^ Cabinet committee’s nod for Dhruv makes HAL happy
  11. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15 2007.
  12. ^ India may test futuristic jets by 2015
  13. ^ Paris Air Show: First flight of HAL`s light combat helicopter in 2008news
  14. ^ http://picasaweb.google.com/mittal.fdk/FutureAircraftsWithIndianAirForce#5169622561296577266
  15. ^ Lighter version of Saras aircraft to fly out next year
  16. ^ Third prototype of NAL's Saras to fly out next year
  17. ^ India to Buy 22 Attack Helos for $550M
  18. ^ Tales of the Vengeance
  19. ^ The Westland Wapiti in Indian Air Force
  20. ^ Westland Lysander in Indian Air Force Service
  21. ^ Swansong of the Iskaras
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