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.
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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
| Command | HQ | Key Bases Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Western Air Command | New Delhi (Subroto Park) | J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan — Pakistan front |
| Eastern Air Command | Shillong | Northeast India, Arunachal — China front |
| Southern Air Command | Thiruvananthapuram | South India, Andaman & Nicobar |
| South-Western Air Command | Gandhinagar | Rajasthan Desert — Operation Thunder |
| Central Air Command | Allahabad (Prayagraj) | UP, Bihar, Central India |
| Training Command | Bengaluru | Pilot training, HAL Tejas development |
| Maintenance Command | Nagpur | Aircraft MRO, logistics support |
📖Fighter Aircraft Fleet
| Aircraft | Origin | Role | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafale | France (Dassault) | Multirole Fighter | 36 jets; Ambala + Hasimara; Meteor BVR + SCALP cruise missiles; MMRCA deal |
| Su-30 MKI | Russia/HAL India | Multirole Air Superiority | 250+ fleet; heaviest fighter; Nashik HAL license production; BrahMos carrier |
| Tejas Mk1/Mk1A | HAL India (LCA) | Light Combat Aircraft | India's first indigenous fighter; 4.5 gen; Mk1A: 83 jets ordered |
| MiG-29 Upgrade | Russia | Air Superiority | Upgraded fleet; carrier-variant for INS Vikrant (MiG-29K) |
| Mirage 2000 | France | Strike Fighter | Used in Kargil; laser-guided bombs first used; Balakot airstrike 2019 |
| Jaguar DARIN III | UK/France | Deep Penetration Strike | Maritime strike, anti-ship; ageing fleet being retired |
📖Transport & Helicopter Fleet
| Platform | Role | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| C-17 Globemaster III | Heavy Lift Transport | 11 jets; strategic airlift; evacuations (Afghanistan 2021) |
| C-130J Super Hercules | Tactical Transport | Special Forces insertion/extraction; night operations |
| Apache AH-64E | Attack Helicopter | 22 jets; tank destroyer; Jodhpur-based |
| Chinook CH-47F | Heavy Lift Helicopter | 15 jets; artillery + troops + high altitude ops |
| ALH Dhruv | Indigenous Helicopter | HAL; multipurpose; Army + Navy + IAF versions; 330+ ordered |