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Air Force & Aircraft

Defence GK · वायु सेना और विमान

📋Quick Overview

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the world's 4th largest air force by personnel. It is led by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) with the rank of Air Chief Marshal. Air Force Day is October 8 (IAF founded Oct 8, 1932). IAF motto: 'Touch the Sky with Glory' (नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम् — from Bhagavad Gita). IAF has 7 Commands headquartered across India.

Rafale jets (36 aircraft from France) are stationed at Ambala (17 SQ) and Hasimara (101 SQ). India's indigenous fighter Tejas (HAL) is operational with 45 SQ and 18 SQ.

📖IAF Commands & Headquarters

CommandHQKey Bases Covered
Western Air CommandNew Delhi (Subroto Park)J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan — Pakistan front
Eastern Air CommandShillongNortheast India, Arunachal — China front
Southern Air CommandThiruvananthapuramSouth India, Andaman & Nicobar
South-Western Air CommandGandhinagarRajasthan Desert — Operation Thunder
Central Air CommandAllahabad (Prayagraj)UP, Bihar, Central India
Training CommandBengaluruPilot training, HAL Tejas development
Maintenance CommandNagpurAircraft MRO, logistics support

📖Fighter Aircraft Fleet

AircraftOriginRoleKey Facts
RafaleFrance (Dassault)Multirole Fighter36 jets; Ambala + Hasimara; Meteor BVR + SCALP cruise missiles; MMRCA deal
Su-30 MKIRussia/HAL IndiaMultirole Air Superiority250+ fleet; heaviest fighter; Nashik HAL license production; BrahMos carrier
Tejas Mk1/Mk1AHAL India (LCA)Light Combat AircraftIndia's first indigenous fighter; 4.5 gen; Mk1A: 83 jets ordered
MiG-29 UpgradeRussiaAir SuperiorityUpgraded fleet; carrier-variant for INS Vikrant (MiG-29K)
Mirage 2000FranceStrike FighterUsed in Kargil; laser-guided bombs first used; Balakot airstrike 2019
Jaguar DARIN IIIUK/FranceDeep Penetration StrikeMaritime strike, anti-ship; ageing fleet being retired

📖Transport & Helicopter Fleet

PlatformRoleKey Facts
C-17 Globemaster IIIHeavy Lift Transport11 jets; strategic airlift; evacuations (Afghanistan 2021)
C-130J Super HerculesTactical TransportSpecial Forces insertion/extraction; night operations
Apache AH-64EAttack Helicopter22 jets; tank destroyer; Jodhpur-based
Chinook CH-47FHeavy Lift Helicopter15 jets; artillery + troops + high altitude ops
ALH DhruvIndigenous HelicopterHAL; multipurpose; Army + Navy + IAF versions; 330+ ordered

📝Exam Corner — Most Asked

📝Quick Revision — 15 One-Liners