Air Force & Aircraft
Defence GK · वायु सेना और विमान · 18 facts
Rafale jets: India bought 36 Rafale aircraft from France (2016 deal Rs 59,000 crore); based at Ambala (No. 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows') and Hasimara
Su-30MKI: India's backbone multirole fighter; 260+ in service; manufactured by HAL under license from Russia; equipped with BrahMos missiles
Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft): India's indigenous supersonic fighter; Mark 1A order of 83 aircraft placed 2021; developed by ADA, manufactured by HAL
MiG-21 Bison: India's oldest fighter jet; retirement completed 2025; India operated MiG-21s for 60+ years; largest user outside Russia
C-130J Super Hercules: 12 aircraft; used for special operations (dropping Para SF behind enemy lines), tactical airlift, night operations
C-17 Globemaster III: 11 aircraft; heavy strategic airlift; used in military evacuations (Afghanistan 2021, Kabul evacuation Operation Devi Shakti)
IL-76 Ilyushin: Soviet/Russian origin heavy transport; 17 aircraft; used for para-dropping, cargo; to be replaced by C-390 Millennium
Apache AH-64E: Attack helicopter; 22 ordered; armed with Hellfire missiles, chain gun; deployed along China border in Ladakh sector
Chinook CH-47F: Heavy-lift helicopter; 15 ordered from Boeing; used in high-altitude logistics, artillery lift (Bofors guns), disaster relief
Mi-17V5: Russian medium-lift helicopter; India's largest helicopter fleet (200+); used for transport, SAR, VVIP transport; HADR missions
Akash missile deployment: IAF has 15+ Akash SAM squadrons deployed along Chinese and Pakistani borders for air defence
Chief of Air Staff (CAS): Head of Indian Air Force; holds rank of Air Chief Marshal; current CAS Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (2024)
5 IAF Commands: Western (New Delhi), South-Western (Gandhinagar), Southern (Thiruvananthapuram), Eastern (Shillong), Central (Allahabad) + Training and Maintenance
IAF strength: 140,000 personnel; 270+ combat aircraft operational; aims for 42 squadrons (currently ~32); world's 4th largest air force
Mirage 2000: 51 aircraft; upgraded to Mirage 2000-5 standard; used in Kargil War (bombed Milenka and Battalo Complex); Strike aircraft
IAF aircraft orders: MRFA (114 multi-role fighters, Rs 1,50,000 crore), 156 LCA Tejas Mk2, 6 Apache AH-64E additional; major modernization drive
Surya Kiran aerobatic team: IAF's aerobatic display team; performs at air shows across India and SAARC nations; flies BAE Hawk jets (9 aircraft)
Balakot airstrike (February 26, 2019): IAF Mirage 2000s struck Jaish-e-Mohammed camp at Balakot in Pakistan; first cross-border airstrike since 1971