Citizendia

Indian Air Force
Motto: Nabha Sparsham Deeptam
Touch the Sky with Glory
Headquarters
New Delhi
History and Traditions
History of the Indian Air Force
Establishment October 08, 1932
Personnel
Marshal of the Indian Air Force
Chief of the Air Staff
Indian Air Force ranks and insignia
Aircraft
Aircraft of the IAF
Installations
Bases
Indian Armed Forces
Emblem of India
Emblem
Triservices Crest
Triservices Crest. A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group Nabha Sparsham Deeptam ( Sanskrit: नभः स्पर्शं दीप्तम nəbʰəh spərɕəm d̪iːpt̪əm New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. The history of the Indian Air Force began with its establishment in 1932 and continues up to the present day Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC (15 April 1919- is the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to Five star rank The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff (currently Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major The following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian Air Force. 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 The Indian Air Force currently operates seven Air Commands. Each Command is headed by a Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the rank of Air Marshal. Organization and command structure The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city. The Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
Military Man Power
Total armed forces2,414,700 (Ranked 3rd)
Active troops1,414,000 (Ranked 3rd)
Total troops3,773,300 (Ranked 6th)
Paramilitary forces1,089,700
Components
Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Indian Navy
Indian Coast Guard
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

The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. This list of countries by size of armed forces displays national troop levels by active troop strength number of Naval combatants fighter aircraft and Nuclear weapons. This is a list of countries sorted by the total number of active troops where the military manpower of a country is measured by the total amount of active troops within the command This is a list of countries sorted by the number of total troops within the command of that country including reserve forces that can aid a depleted active military and/or paramilitary The Indian Army (Bharatiya Thalsena भारतीय थाल्सेना is one of the armed forces of India and has the responsibility for land-based The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The Indian Coast Guard is the fourth service created to guard Republic of India 's vast Coastline. The Paramilitary forces of India are those agencies of the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Home Affairs which act as armed forces auxiliaries and are considered The Nuclear Command Authority (NCA of India is the nodal agency for all command control and operational decisions regarding India's nuclear weapon stockpile India has a long military history dating back several millennia The following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian Air Force. The following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian army. The following graphs presents the officer ranks of the Indian navy. An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense the national military or armed service Organization and command structure The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city. Air power redirects here for electrical and mechanical energy supplied by air movement see Wind power Airspace means the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a particular country on top of its territory and Territorial waters or more generally any specific three-dimensional It was established on October 8, 1932 as the Indian Air Force. Events 314 - Roman Emperor Licinius is defeated by his colleague Constantine I at the Battle of Cibalae, and loses Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. It was granted the prefix "Royal" in 1945 in recognition of its services during the Second World War. The Provinces of India (which included most of modern-day India and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh) being imperial colonies of Great Britain The prefix Royal was dropped after India became a Republic in 1950. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force has a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,350 combat aircraft (2006 figure) making it the fourth largest air force in the world. New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. [1]

Contents

History

Main article: History of the Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force's No. The history of the Indian Air Force began with its establishment in 1932 and continues up to the present day 1 Squadron came into being on April 1, 1933. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The squadron consisted of five Indian pilots, one RAF Commanding officer and four Westland Wapiti biplanes. The Westland Wapiti was a British two-seat general purpose military single engined biplane of the 1920s built by Westland Aircraft Works to the Air Ministry

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. The Provinces of India (which included most of modern-day India and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh) being imperial colonies of Great Britain World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Empire of Japan ( {{unicode|Kyūjitai}}: ja 大日本帝國 Shinjitai: ja 大日本帝国 pronounced Dai Nippon Teikoku Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. Rakhine State ( formerly Arakan) is a state of Myanmar. Situated the western coast it is bordered by Chin State in the north It also carried out strike missions against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน is a town ( Thesaban mueang in north west Thailand, capital of the Mae Hong Son Province. Chiang Mai (in Thai; locally (Kham Muang Jiang Mai also sometimes written as "Chiengmai" is the largest and most culturally significant Mueang Chiang Rai (เชียงราย locally ( Kham Muang) Ciang Hai; ( Lao) also Xieng Hai) is a city in Amphoe Mueang The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj

First Kashmir War 1947

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, the IAF conducted a paratrooping operation from Safdarjang, then known as Willingdon Airfield, to Srinagar airfield at 09:30 hours IST on October 27. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, sometimes known as the First Kashmir War, was fought between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir from The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, sometimes known as the First Kashmir War, was fought between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir from Paratroopers are Soldiers trained in Parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force. New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. Srinagar ( Dogri: श्रीनगर Urdu: سرینگر Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَر श्रीनगर is the capital of the disputed state Indian Standard Time ( IST) is the time observed throughout India and Sri Lanka, with a Time offset of UTC+530. Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. 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. Paratroopers are Soldiers trained in Parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.

Congo Operation 1961

Main article: Congo Crisis

Belgium's 75-year colonial rule of the Congo ended abruptly on June 30, 1960. The Congo Crisis (1960-1965 was a period of turmoil in the First Republic of the Congo that began with national independence The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Unable to control the deteriorating situation in its former African colony, Belgium asked the United Nations for assistance. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security India was one of the first UN-members to respond to the initial appeal for help and sent IAF Canberra aircraft as a part of the UN-led mission in Congo. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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 Sino-Indian War ( Hindi: भारत-चीन युद्ध Bhārat-Chīn Yuddh) also known as the Sino-Indian Border Conflict, was a war between China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Arunachal Pradesh (अरुणाचल प्रदेश   Aruṇācal Pradeś is the easternmost state of India ( Dogri: जम्मू और कश्मीर Urdu: جموں و کشمیر is the northernmost state of India. 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 .

Second Kashmir War 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Growth and Re-organization (1965 - 1972)

HAL HF-24 Marut.
HAL HF-24 Marut. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of Skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between India and Pakistan. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

After the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the IAF underwent a series of changes. In 1966, the Para Commandos regiment was created. Para Commandos are an elite special forces unit of the Indian Army. 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies Avro was a British Aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504 trainer in the First World War, the Avro The aircraft were modified to play a variety of roles and were fitted with a large radome to act as a Airborne Early Warning platform. A radome (the word is a contraction of Radar and Dome) is a structural weatherproof enclosure that protects a Radar antenna India started to lay more stress on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft. A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed A total of 147 HAL HF-24 Marut, designed by famed aerospace engineer Kurt Tank, were inducted into the air force. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Aerospace engineering is the branch of Engineering behind the design construction and science of Aircraft and Spacecraft. Kurt Waldemar Tank ( February 24 1898 - June 5 1983) was a resourceful German aeronautical Engineer and test HAL also started working on a new improved version of Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

During the late 1960s, the IAF also started inducting MiG-21s and Sukhoi Su-7s fighters which had a top speed of Mach 2. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Mach number (\mathrm{Ma} or M (generally ˈmɑːk sometimes /ˈmɑːx/ or /ˈmæk/ is the speed of an object moving through air or any Fluid The induction of these advanced fighter jets was the beginning of close collaboration between India and the Soviet Union. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 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
IAF C-119 aircraft dropping Indian Paratroopers near Tangail, about 150 km from Dhaka, 11 December 1971.
IAF C-119 aircraft dropping Indian Paratroopers near Tangail, about 150 km from Dhaka, 11 December 1971. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a major military conflict between India and Pakistan. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and East Pakistan ( Bengali: পূর্ব পাকিস্তান Purbo Pakistan, Urdu: مشرقی پاکستان Mashriqi Pakistan) was At the time, the IAF was under the command of Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal. On November 22, 10 days before the start of a full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions near the Indian-Bangladeshi border in the Battle of Garibpur, and hostilities commenced. Events 498 - Kofi Aseidu- After the death of Anastasius II, Symmachus is elected Pope in the Lateran Pakistan Air Force ( Urdu: پاک فضائیہ, Pak Faza'ya) ( PAF) is the Aviation branch of the Pakistan armed forces WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Mukti Bahini (মুক্তি বাহিনী "Liberation Army" also termed as the "Freedom Fighters" or FFs collectively refers to the armed organizations The Battle of Garibpur fought on November 20 - 21 1971 was one of the first engagements of between Indian and Pakistani troops during the In what became the first ever dogfight over Bangladeshi skies, three of the 4 PAF Sabres were shot down by IAF Gnats. A dogfight or dog fight is Aerial combat between Fighter aircraft. The Battle of Boyra, on 22 November 1971, was the first engagement between the Air Forces of India and Pakistan of the Bangladesh December 3 saw the formal declaration of war following massive preemptive strikes by the Pakistan Air Force against Indian Air Force installations in the west. Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French Operation Chengiz Khan was the code name assigned to the pre-emptive strikes carried out by the Pakistani Air Force (PAF on the forward airbases and Radar installations Pakistan Air Force ( Urdu: پاک فضائیہ, Pak Faza'ya) ( PAF) is the Aviation branch of the Pakistan armed forces The PAF targets were Indian bases in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur on the lines of Israeli Operation Focus. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Operation Focus ( Hebrew: מבצע מוקד Mivtza Moked) was the opening pre-emptive airstrike by Israel at the start of the Six-Day War But the plan failed miserably as Indians had anticipated such a move and no major losses were suffered.

The Indian Air Force was quick to respond to Pakistani air-strikes. Within the first two weeks, the IAF had carried out more than 4,000 sorties in East Pakistan and provided successful air cover for the advancing Indian army in East Pakistan. East Pakistan Air Operations incorporate the interdiction, Air defence, Ground support, and Logistics The Indian Army (Bharatiya Thalsena भारतीय थाल्सेना is one of the armed forces of India and has the responsibility for land-based East Pakistan ( Bengali: পূর্ব পাকিস্তান Purbo Pakistan, Urdu: مشرقی پاکستان Mashriqi Pakistan) was 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. The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. Pakistan Navy ( Urdu: پاک بحریہ) is the naval branch of the Military of Pakistan. The Paramilitary forces of Pakistan consist of various organizations constitutionally charged to safeguard Pakistan from external and internal threats The Bay of Bengal is a bay that forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. The Arabian Sea ( Arabic: بحر العرب transliterated: Baḥr al-'Arab Sanskrit: सिन्धु सागर transliterated: In the west, the air force destroyed 50 tanks and 40 APCs in the famed Battle of Longewala. Armoured personnel carriers (APCs are Armoured fighting vehicles developed to transport Infantry on the Battlefield They usually have only a Machine The Battle of Longewala December 5 - December 6 1971 was one of the first major engagements in the Western Sector during the The IAF pursued strategic bombing by destroying oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and gas plant in Sindh. Strategic bombing is a Military strategy used in a Total war with the goal of defeating an enemy nation-state by destroying its economic ability to wage war rather (ڪراچي) is the largest city in Pakistan. It is the world's second largest city proper behind Mumbai in terms of population which exceeds 10 million The Mangla Dam ( Urdu: منگلا بند) in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan is the twelfth largest Dam in the world. [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. Air superiority is the dominance in the Air power of one side's air forces over the other side's during a Military campaign. In the end, the IAF played a pivotal role in the victory for the Indian Armed Forces leading to the liberation of Bangladesh. Organization and command structure The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city. In addition to the overall strategic victory, the IAF had also claimed 94[4] Pakistani aircraft destroyed, with 45 IAF aircraft lost. The IAF had however, flown over 7000 combat sorties on both East and West fronts and its overall sortie rate numbered over 15000. Sortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit be it of Aircraft, Ship or in older times of columns of troops from a fort Comparatively, the PAF was flying fewer sorties by the day fearing loss of planes. Towards the end of the war, IAF's transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to surrender; East Pakistani sources note that as the leaflets floated down, the morale of the Pakistani troops sunk. [5]

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

Operation Meghdoot 1984

Main article: Operation Meghdoot

Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the preemptive strike launched by the Indian Military to capture most of the Siachen Glacier, in the disputed Kashmir region. Operation Chengiz Khan was the code name assigned to the pre-emptive strikes carried out by the Pakistani Air Force (PAF on the forward airbases and Radar installations East Pakistan Air Operations incorporate the interdiction, Air defence, Ground support, and Logistics Meghna Heli Bridge was a Military operation mounted on 9 December 1971 by the Indian Air Force (IAF to airlift troops of IV The Tangail Airdrop was an airborne operation mounted on 11 December, 1971 by the 2nd Parachute Battalion Group of the Indian Army The Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the attack launched by the Indian Military to capture the Siachen Glacier in the disputed Kashmir region see Siachen conflict for the military conflict over this area The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya This article is about the geographical region of greater Kashmir Launched on April 13, 1984, this military operation was unique as it was the first assault launched in the world's highest battlefield. Events 1111 - Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 1204 - The Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) This article describes three distinct but related terms military operations Operations as military events and operational level of war The military action was quite successful as Indian troops managed to gain two-thirds of the glacier with the rest coming under Pakistani control. "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period.

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. Operation Cactus In November 1988 the People's Liberation Front of Tamil Eelam ( PLOTE) comprising about 200 Tamil secessionists invaded Maldives The People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam ( PLOTE) is a Militant Tamil nationalism group and currently a minor Political party in The Maldives ( or, or Maldive Islands) officially the Republic of Maldives, is an Island nation consisting of a group of atolls stretching 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. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ( Dhivehi: މައުމޫނު އަބްދުލް ގައްޔޫމް (born 29 December 1937 has been the President of the Republic of Maldives Research and Analysis Wing ( RAW or R&AW) is India 's external Intelligence agency. 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. Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. Agra ( pronounced) (आगरा آگرا is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, The Maldives ( or, or Maldive Islands) officially the Republic of Maldives, is an Island nation consisting of a group of atolls stretching The Indian paratroopers landed at Hulule and secured the airfield and restored the Government rule at Malé within hours. Hulhule (ހުޅުލެ located at Latitude 4° 10' 60 N Longitude 73° 31' 60 E is an island in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives. Overview Although Malé is geographically located in Male' Atoll Kaafu Atoll, administratively it is not considered part of it The brief, bloodless operation, labelled Operation Cactus, also involved the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India.

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. Operation Safed Sagar was the Codename assigned to the Indian Air Force 's strike to support the Ground troops during Operation Vijay that was The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and It successfully provided considerable air-cover for Indian troops fighting against Pakistani soldiers and also carried out air assaults against enemy forces in Kashmir. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Pakistan Air Force ( Urdu: پاک فضائیہ, Pak Faza'ya) ( PAF) is the Aviation branch of the Pakistan armed forces 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [6] The MiG-21M was on a search operation to find the MiG-27s crash site, when it was shot down. Later, an Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by a shoulder-held missile with the loss of all its crew.

Atlantique Incident

Main article: Atlantique Incident

On August 10, 1999, a Pakistan Navy French-built naval Breguet Atlantic was flying over the Rann of Kutch area and was shot down by two IAF MiG-21 jets killing all 16 aboard. The Atlantique Incident was an event in which a Pakistan Navy Breguet Atlantique patrol plane carrying 16 people on board was shot down by the Indian Air Force Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Pakistan Navy ( Urdu: پاک بحریہ) is the naval branch of the Military of Pakistan. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Rann of Kutch is a seasonally marshy region located in the Thar Desert biogeographic province in Gujarat state of northwestern India WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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). New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India.

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). Marshal of the Air Force may be used as a generic term for a rank in some Air forces which use a similar title with their air force's name inserted as their most senior rank The President of India or Rashtrapati ( Hindi: राष्ट्रपति a Sanskrit Neologism, lit Field Marshal is the highest possible rank in the military of India. MIAF Arjan Singh is the only officer to have achieved this rank. Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC (15 April 1919- is the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to Five star rank The head of the Indian Air Force is the Chief of the Air Staff. The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff (currently Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major The current Air Chief Marshal is Fali Homi Major. Air Chief Marshal ( Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a senior Air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force (RAF Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major took over as the Chief of the Air Staff from Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi on April 1 2007

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. Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence Flight Lieutenant ( Flt Lt in the RAF; FLTLT in the RAAF and RNZAF, F/L in the former RCAF) is a junior Flying Officer ( Fg Off in the RAF FLGOFF in the RAAF FGOFF in the RNZAF F/O in the former RCAF and frequently in the RAF is a junior commissioned The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located 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. A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries police forces and other uniformed organizations around the world Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and also by some police forces or other uniformed organizations Leading Aircraftman (LAC (or Leading Aircraftwoman (LACW is a rank in some Air forces between Aircraftman and Senior Aircraftman and having Aircraftman ( AC) or Aircraftwoman ( ACW) is the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force and the Air forces of several other Commonwealth 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
Crest

Roundel
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. personal assistantAn assistant is a Person or electronic tool who or that assists another person accomplish his or her goals An ensign is a distinguishing Flag of a ship or a military unit or a distinguishing token emblem or badge such as a symbol of office The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a Coat of arms. A roundel in Heraldry is any circular shape in military use it is an Emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags generally round and The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff (currently Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major The Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS a PSO ( Principal Staff Officer) at Air Headquarters at New Delhi, who is second in command of the Indian Air Force The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force. The Air Officer In Charge Administration, is one of the Principal Staff Officers to the Chief Of Air Staff An Inspector General of Flight Safety, also known as Director General (Inspection and Safety I&S is an Air Marshal in rank and is one of the Principal Staff

Commands

The Indian Air Force currently operates seven Commands. A command in military use has several meanings In referring to Military organization it is a collection of units or a group of personnel under the Each Command is headed by a Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Air Marshal. Air Officer Commanding ( AOC) is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth (and some other nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment This article is about the air force rank Air marshal (or Sky marshal) is also the term given to federal security agents who travel undercover aboard commercial

CommandsHQ LocationCurrent AOC-in-C
Western Air CommandSubroto Park, New DelhiAir Marshal P K Barbora Ahluwalia[7]
Eastern Air CommandShillong, MeghalayaAir Marshal P K Barbora
Central Air CommandAllahabad, Uttar PradeshAir Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik
Southern Air CommandThiruvananthapuram, KeralaAir Marshal Suresh Chand Mukul [8]
South Western Air CommandGandhinagar, GujaratAir Marshal S S Dalal
Training CommandBangalore, KarnatakaAir Marshal G S Chaudhary
Maintenance CommandNagpur, MaharashtraAir Marshal Nayyar

Aerospace Command

The IAF is setting up an aerospace command. New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. Activities and Responsibilities Eastern Air Command has a specific mandate both during peace and war Shillong ( Khasi Shillong ( Hindi: शिलांग Bengali: শিলং is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in Meghalaya is a small state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally means "The Abode of Clouds" in Sanskrit and Allahabad ( Hindi: इलाहाबाद Urdu: الہ آباد Ilāhābād) is a city in the north Indian state of Uttar Uttar Pradesh (उत्तर प्रदेश اتر پردیش pronounced, Translation: Northern Province) referred to as '''U See also Indian Air Force Thiruvananthapuram ( Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ) also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; Gandhinagar ( Gujarati: ગાંધીનગર Hindi: गाँधीनगर is the capital of Gujarat State India. Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. Training Command may refer to RAF Training Command Training Command Indian Air Force Training Command of the Bangalore ( officially Bengaluru ( Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India Nāgpur ( Marathi: नागपुर is the largest city in central India (2001 Census and the second capital of the state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra ( Marathi: mahārāṣṭra, IPA) is a state located on the western coast of India. This command will have space technology including satellites available to them. This command is said to be utilised by all the three services of the Indian armed forces and also for civilian purposes by ISRO[9][10]

Wings

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

Currently, 47 Wings and 19 FBSUs make up the IAF[11]

Squadrons

Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations. A squadron is a small unit or formation of Cavalry, armour, Aircraft (including Balloons) or Warships Army 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. The commanding officer ( CO) is the officer in command of a Military unit. Some Transport squadrons and Helicopter Units are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Group Captain. The commanding officer ( CO) is the officer in command of a Military unit. Group Captain ( Gp Capt in the RAF and Indian Air Force, GPCAPT in the RNZAF and RAAF, G/C in the former

IAF Bases

Main article: List of Indian Air Force Bases

The IAF operates over 60 air bases, with more being built or planned. The Indian Air Force currently operates seven Air Commands. Each Command is headed by a Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the rank of Air Marshal. They are grouped under one of the five Regional Air Commands. In addition, the IAF also operates the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan. Farkhor Air Base (फ़र्ख़ार एयर बैस is an Indian Airbase located in Farkhor / Ayni in Tajikistan,130 kilometres Tajikistan (təˈdʒɪkɨstæn or /təˈdʒiːkɨstæn/ Тоҷикистон tɔʤikɪsˈtɔn or, Persian تاجیکستان‎ taajikestaan officially the Republic of

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. Punjab (ਪੰਜਾਬ पंजाब pəɲdʒaːb is a state in northwest India. Uttar Pradesh (उत्तर प्रदेश اتر پردیش pronounced, Translation: Northern Province) referred to as '''U Activities and Responsibilities Eastern Air Command has a specific mandate both during peace and war

Central Air Command

Operates 7 Air Bases in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding states of central India. Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP) ( Hindī: मध्य प्रदेश pronounced, Translation: Middle Province) often

Southern Air Command

A strategically important Air command, in line with India's latest doctrine of protecting the vital shipping routes. It operates 9 Air bases in South India and 2 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union The Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a Union territory of India. Informally the territory's name is often abbreviated to A & N Islands, or ANI

South Western Air Command

The front line of defence against Pakistan, this important Command operates 12 Forward Air Bases in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Rājasthān ( Devanāgarī: राजस्थान raːdʒəst̪ʰaːn is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India.

IAF Aircraft

IAF Su-30 MKI
IAF Su-30 MKI
IAF Mirage 2000 Twin Seat
IAF Mirage 2000 Twin Seat
IAF Jaguar
IAF Jaguar
IAF MiG-27
IAF MiG-27
IAF MiG-21 Bison
IAF MiG-21 Bison
IAF IL-76 MD refueling two Mirage-2000
IAF IL-76 MD refueling two Mirage-2000
Main article: List of aircraft of the IAF

The Indian Air Force has a strength of 1430 combat aircraft. 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 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. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies

Air superiority and Multi-role combat aircraft

These are aircraft for strike, offensive support, air defence and superiority purposes. The IAF currently 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout An air superiority fighter is a type of Fighter aircraft intended to enter and seize control of enemy airspace 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. Sukhoi ( Сухой) is a major Russian manufacturer famous for its fighters Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. Mach number (\mathrm{Ma} or M (generally ˈmɑːk sometimes /ˈmɑːx/ or /ˈmæk/ is the speed of an object moving through air or any Fluid 35) and has a service ceiling of 17,500 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The MiG-29 (fulcrum) has a top speed of 2445 km/h (Mach 2. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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-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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout An interceptor aircraft (or simply interceptor) is a type of Fighter aircraft designed specifically to intercept and destroy enemy Aircraft, particularly 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 R550 Magic is a short-range Missile designed in 1968 by French company Matra to compete with the American AIM-9 Sidewinder. Four hundred and Fifty multi-role MiG-21 combat aircraft have been serving the IAF for the past two decades. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [12][13] The air force plans to eventually replace its remaining 250 or so MiG-21s with the indigenously-built LCA HAL Tejas by about 2012. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft

Squadrons of Jaguar IS and MiG-27 aircraft serve as the IAF's primary ground strike force. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The twin-engine Jaguar IB, with a top speed of Mach 1. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 3, is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The IAF currently possess 100 Jaguar IS and 8 maritime strike Jaguar IM aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-30 is a Russian 30 mm Cannon used by Soviet and later CIS Military aircraft

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 IAI EL/M-2075 Phalcon is an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C Radar system in use by a number of countries to give intelligence to maintain Radar is a system that uses electromagnetic waves to identify the range altitude direction or speed of both moving and fixed objects such as Aircraft, ships Israel Aerospace Industries ( Hebrew: התעשייה האווירית לישראל ha-ta`aSiyyâh ha-'awîrît lë-yiSrâ'êl) or IAI (תע"א ta`a' WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The air force will use 3 newly-acquired Ilyushin Il-76 Phalcon as a platform for these radar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The IAF used to operate a fleet of MiG-25 (Foxbat) R, U reconnaissance aircraft until 2006. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Reconnaissance (also scouting) is a military and medical term denoting exploration conducted to gain information 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'). An interceptor aircraft (or simply interceptor) is a type of Fighter aircraft designed specifically to intercept and destroy enemy Aircraft, particularly The Bisnovat (later Molniya) R-40 ( NATO reporting name AA-6 ' Acrid') was a long-range Air-to-air missile developed An air-to-air missile ( AAM) is a guided Missile fired from an Aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft The Vympel R-23 ( NATO reporting name AA-7 Apex) is a medium-range Air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union for Fighter The Molniya (now Vympel) R-60 ( NATO reporting name AA-8 ' Aphid') is a lightweight Air-to-air missile The Vympel R-73 ( NATO reporting name AA-11 Archer) developed by Vympel machine Building Design Bureau, is the most modern Russian short-range 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July The Canberras were originally used as Bombers, and served in that role in the 1971 war. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a major military conflict between India and Pakistan.

Transport aircraft

Il-78MKI
Il-78MKI

The IAF currently operates 25 Ilyushin Il-76 for military transport duties such as tactical and strategic airlift, at all operational levels. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Military supply chain management is a cross-functional approach to procuring, producing and delivering products and services The broad An airlift is the organized delivery of supplies primarily via Aircraft. 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). A nautical mile or sea mile is a unit of Length. It corresponds approximately to one minute of Latitude along any meridian. A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States In 2003, the IAF also purchased 6 IL-78MKI aircraft from Russia which were fitted with ARP-3 aerial refueling pods from Israel. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling ( IFR) air-to-air refueling ( AAR) or tanking, is

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). WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The air force also operates a fleet of 94 twin-engined turboprop Antonov An-32 and 28 Dornier Do 228 utility aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A utility aircraft is a general-purpose light plane or helicopter usually used for transporting people or freight but also for other duties when a more specialised aircraft is not required

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The primary role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV is an unpiloted Aircraft. UAVs can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic However, DRDO, ADA and HAL are also developing a range of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. An unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV or "combat drone" is an experimental class of Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs The IAF currently operates IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and Heron UAVs. Israel Aerospace Industries ( Hebrew: התעשייה האווירית לישראל ha-ta`aSiyyâh ha-'awîrît lë-yiSrâ'êl) or IAI (תע"א ta`a' The Heron or Machatz-1 is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developed by the Malat (UAV division of Israel Aircraft Industries. Israel Aircraft Industries and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), India's leading unmanned aerial vehicle research agency are also jointly developing three new UAVs. Israel Aerospace Industries ( Hebrew: התעשייה האווירית לישראל ha-ta`aSiyyâh ha-'awîrît lë-yiSrâ'êl) or IAI (תע"א ta`a' The Aeronautical Development Agency ( ADA) of the India 's Ministry of Defence was established in Bangalore in 1984 to oversee the development An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV is an unpiloted Aircraft. UAVs can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic

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. The Lakshya is a remotely piloted high speed target drone system developed by the Aeronautical development establishment (ADE of DRDO. Another UAV, the HAL Nishant Remote Piloted Vehicle (RPV) has also been developed, with an endurance of over 3 hours. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies The DRDO Nishant is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV developed by India 's ADE ( Aeronautical Development Establishment) a branch of DRDO An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV is an unpiloted Aircraft. UAVs can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic 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

Aerobatics by Sarang helicopter formation display team.
Aerobatics by Sarang helicopter formation display team. Sarang ( Sanskrit: सारंग - Peacock) is the Helicopter formation display team of the Indian Air Force.

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 October 15, 2006 India agreed to acquire 80 Mi-17 helicopters from the Russian Federation in a deal worth approximately US$662 million. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout [14] The new and improved HAL Dhruv, complete with the more powerful Shakti engine and glass cockpit, came on stream in 2007.

Training aircraft

HAL HJT-36.
HAL HJT-36. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The Indian Air Force currently operates around 250 MiG-21 aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The IAF initially planned to replace the MiG-21 fleet with indigenously-built HAL Tejas aircraft by 2006. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Pokharan-II refers to test explosions of five Nuclear devices three on 11 May and two on 13 May 1998 conducted by India

In 2004, the IAF placed an order for 66 Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers in a deal worth over 1 billion GBP, with deliveries beginning in November, 2007 and induction in February, 2008. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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 April 27 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. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout IAF uses HPT-32 Deepak for basic training. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies

Future Aircraft

Further information: Indian MRCA Competition

The Indian Air Force currently operates around 250 MiG-21 aircraft. The Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA Competition, commonly known as the MRCA Tender, is an ongoing competition to supply the Indian Air Force WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. Pokharan-II refers to test explosions of five Nuclear devices three on 11 May and two on 13 May 1998 conducted by India

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. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia 's largest Aerospace companies 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-16C. The Mikoyan MiG-35 ( Микоян МиГ-35 NATO reporting name "Fulcrum-F") is a mature development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout IAF pilots and technicians are familiar with earlier aircraft from MiG and Dassault and would need minimal retraining. Infrastructural and logistical support for maintenance and spares would also be easier for these aircraft compared to the unfamiliar Gripens, F-16s and F/A-18s. Moreover, many analysts feel that the US, whose unpredictable foreign policy might clamp sanctions at any time, cannot be a reliable supplier.

Apart from the 126 multi-role combat aircraft, 180 Su-30MKI air superiority fighters (out of the 230 Su-30MKI fighters ordered, 80 are already in service with the IAF), 220 Light Combat Aircraft, 29 Jaguar combat aircraft, 4 Tu-22M3 bombers, the Indian Air Force has signed contracts for 66 BAE Hawk-132 trainers (deliveries 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Indian Air Force plans to upgrade its fleet of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft. [15]

Under Development

Tejas in formation flight.
Tejas in formation flight.
MCA configuration option.
MCA configuration option.

Weapons

Air to Air Missiles

Air to Surface Missiles

Surface to Air Missiles

Akash missile.
Akash missile. The Kh-25 is a Russian AGM that can be carried on double or single Ejector racks on most Russian strike aircraft Aérospatiale was a French Aerospace manufacturer that primarily built both civilian and military Aircraft and Rockets The company was created in 1970 The AS-30L is a French short-to-medium range air-to-ground stand-off attack Missile. The Martel is an Anglo - French Anti-radiation missile (ARM The name Martel is a contraction of Missile Anti-Radiation Television, referring 9K114 Shturm (9К114 «Штурм» "shturm" means "storm" (assault in English is SACLOS radio guided Anti-tank missile system of The Kh-29 ( NATO codename AS-14 Kedge) is a Russian Air-to-surface missile, made by the Molniya Design Bureau (their only air to The Kh-31, NATO reporting name AS-17 'Krypton is a Russian Anti-radiation missile (ARM carried by most of its strike aircraft The BAe Sea Eagle is a medium Weight, ' fire-and-forget ' Sea-skimming Anti-ship missile designed and built by BAe Dynamics (now The Kh-59 Ovod, NATO reporting name AS-13 Kingbolt is a Russian tactical Cruise missile produced by Raduga, first revealed in

Future Surface to Air Missile Systems

Surface to Surface Missiles

In Fiction

Gallery

Sukhoi Su-30MKI's

Two Sukhoi Su-30MKI's in flight

IAF Cheetah. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

IL-78 refueling two Mirage-2000 in fight.

IL-76 in Hawaii.

HAL Dhruvs of Saarang helicopter Aerobatics Team at a display

References

  1. ^ The strength Official website. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout
  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 Cadre Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury (Retd)
  6. ^ PAF Combat.com
  7. ^ Ahluwalia new Western Air Command chief
  8. ^ IAF page of SAC
  9. ^ India in aerospace defence plan
  10. ^ [1]. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and
  11. ^ Indian Air Force. Wings and FBSUs. Bharat-rakshak.com
  12. ^ Combat Aircraft of The IAF: 1933 - Present
  13. ^ My fair lady - Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis (Retd)
  14. ^ Mosnews.com
  15. ^ ACM FH Major: IAF strengthening India's standing in international arena
  16. ^ "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. " 
  17. ^ "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. " 
  18. ^ "IAF to induct new attack and heavy lift helicopters: Air Chief", IDRW: PTI, Feb 6, 2008.  
  19. ^ "HAL to bid for Army helicopters", The Hindu, Feb 20, 2008.  
  20. ^ "Indian Air Force concludes chopper trials for VIP squadron", domain-b, 22nd January 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-07. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince  
  21. ^ "IAF to induct new attack and heavy lift helicopters: Air Chief", IDRW: PTI, Feb 6, 2008.  
  22. ^ "IAF to induct new attack and heavy lift helicopters: Air Chief", IDRW: PTI, Feb 6, 2008.  
  23. ^ Russia to build fifth-generation fighter prototype soon
  24. ^ Mosnews.com
  25. ^ Flight Global
  26. ^ 5th generation fighter to take-off by 2012/articleshow/2503005.cms Times of India
  27. ^ The Hindu : National : Cabinet panel nod for `Airawat' project
  28. ^ a b IAF initiates process for inducting Akash and Trishul SAM’s
  29. ^ a b Indian Air Force to Induct Akash Missile
  30. ^ Ten-day campaign for intensive trial of Akash
  31. ^ a b c MissileUnits.html AIR FORCE MISSILE SQUADRONS AND FLIGHTS
  32. ^ a b c STRATEGIC AIR DEFENCES IN A NUCLEAR SOUTH ASIA
  33. ^ Article on the Newa-SCM package
  34. ^ Trishul Missile Project Completed at the Cost of Rs. 275 Crore
  35. ^ India to Buy Israeli "SPYDER" Mobile Air Defense System
  36. ^ SPYDER SAM System for India. India Defence
  37. ^ CVC to probe missile deal with Israel
  38. ^ India’s Purchase of Anti-Air Missiles Faces Scrutiny
  39. ^ "Rafael to join hands with Tata Power for maintenance of ADS", 24 Feb, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the  
  40. ^ DRDO to develop quick reaction missile, Maitri, with MBDA
  41. ^ DRDO, MBDA to Jointly Develop Maitri Quick Reaction Missile
  42. ^ MBDA To Help India Revive Quick-Reaction Missile
  43. ^ Ballistic Missile Proliferation in Southern Asia
  44. ^ Prithvi-India Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems

Videos

External links

See also

No 7 Squadron Indian Air Force ( Battle Axes) operates as a CAS and Air superiority unit Surya Kiran ( Sanskrit: सूर्य किरण - Sun Rays) is an Aerobatics demonstration team of the Indian Air Force Sarang ( Sanskrit: सारंग - Peacock) is the Helicopter formation display team of the Indian Air Force. 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 The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. Organization and command structure The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city. On May 3, 2002, an Indian Air Force (IAF MiG-21bis crashed into a bank in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, killing
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