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Indian Air

Force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Indian Air Force
Bharatiya Vayu Sena

Founded 8 October 1932
Country India
Role Air
superiority, reconnaissance,clos
e air support
Size 127,000 personnel
Approx. 1,600 aircraft
[1]

Part of Ministry of Defence
Indian Armed Forces
Headquarters New Delhi, India
Motto "

" ("
dtm") "Touch the Sky with
Glory"
[2]

Colors Navy blue, sky blue & white

Anniversaries Air Force Day: 8 October
[3]

Engagements Notable Operations[show]
Website indianairforce.nic.in
Commanders
Chief of Air
Staff
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha
Vice Chief of
Air Staff
Air Marshal SBP Sinha
[4]

Insignia
Air Force
Ensign

Roundel

Fin flash

Aircraft flown
Attack Jaguar, MiG-27, Harpy
Electronic
warfare
A-50E/I, DRDO
AEW&CS,Ilyushin A-50
Fighter Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, MiG-
29,HAL Tejas, MiG-21
Helicopter Dhruv, Chetak, Cheetah, Mi-
8, Mi-17, Mi-26, Mi-25/35
Reconnaissanc
e
Searcher II, Heron
Trainer Hawk Mk 132, HPT-32
Deepak,HJT-16 Kiran, Pilatus
C-7 Mk II
Transport C-17 Globemaster III, Il-
76, An-32,HS 748, Do
228, Boeing 737, ERJ 135, Il-
78 MKI, C-130J
The Indian Air Force (IAF; Devangar:

, Bharatiya Vyu Sen) is


the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its
primary responsibility is to secure
Indian airspace and to conduct aerial
warfare during a conflict. It was officially
established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary
air force of the British Empire and the
prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition
of its services during World War II. After India
achieved independence from the United
Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force
served the Dominion of India, with the prefix
being dropped when India became a republic
in 1950. Since independence, the IAF has
been involved in four wars with
neighbouring Pakistan and one with the
People's Republic of China. Other major
operations undertaken by the IAF
include Operation Vijay the annexation of
Goa, OperationMeghdoot, Operation Cactus a
nd Operation Poomalai. Apart from conflicts,
the IAF has been an active participant
in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
The President of India Pranab
Mukherjee serves as the ex-
officio Commander-in-Chief of the IAF.
The Chief of Air Staff, an Air Chief Marshal
(ACM), is a four-star commander and
commands the Air Force. There is never more
than one serving ACM at any given time in the
IAF. The rank of Marshal of the Air Force has
been conferred once, to Arjan Singh, by the
president of India on 26 Jan 2002 and he
became first five-star rank holding officer of
IAF & serves as the ceremonial chief.
In its publication the Military Balance 2010,
the International Institute for Strategic
Studies (IISS) estimates that the Indian Air
Force has a strength of 127,000 active
personnel. However, various reliable sources
provided notably divergent estimates of its
strength over the years. Flightglobal estimates
there to be to 1,499 aircraft in active service
during 2013/2014.
[1]

Contents
[hide]
1 Mission
2 History
o 2.1 Formation and early pilots
o 2.2 World War II (1939-1945)
o 2.3 First years of
independence (19471950)
o 2.4 Congo crisis and capture
of Goa (19601961)
o 2.5 Border disputes and
changes in the IAF (1962
1971)
o 2.6 Bangladesh Liberation
War (1971)
o 2.7 Incidents before Kargil
(19841988)
o 2.8 Kargil War (1999)
o 2.9 Post Kargil incidents
(1999present)
3 Structure
o 3.1 Commands
o 3.2 Wings
o 3.3 Squadrons and Units
o 3.4 Flights
o 3.5 Garud Commando Force
o 3.6 Integrated Space Cell
o 3.7 Display Teams
4 Personnel
o 4.1 Officers
o 4.2 Airmen
o 4.3 Honorary Officers
o 4.4 Non Combatants Enrolled
and civilians
o 4.5 Training and education
5 Aircraft inventory
o 5.1 Airborne early warning
aircraft
o 5.2 Multi-role fighters and
strike aircraft
o 5.3 Tanker and transport
aircraft
o 5.4 Trainer aircraft
o 5.5 Helicopters
o 5.6 Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles
6 Land-based missile systems
o 6.1 Surface-to-air missile
systems
o 6.2 Ballistic missiles
7 Future of the Indian Air Force
o 7.1 Current acquisitions
o 7.2 DRDO and HAL projects
o 7.3 Network-centric Warfare
8 See also
9 Footnotes
10 References
11 Bibliography
12 External links
Mission[edit]

Evolution of the IAF Roundel over the years:
1)19331942 2)19421945
3)19471950 4)1950 present
[5]

The IAF's mission is defined by the Armed
Forces Act of 1947, Constitution of India and
the Air Force Act of 1950,
[6]
in the
aerial battlespace, as:

Defence of India and every part
thereof including preparation for
defence and all such acts as may
be conducive in times of war to its
prosecution and after its
termination to effective

demobilisation.
Thus, the IAF has the primary objective of
safeguarding Indian territory and national
interests from all threats in conjunction with
the other branches of the armed forces by
defending Indian airspace. The IAF provides
close air support to the Indian Army troops in
the battlefield and also provides strategic and
tactical airlift capabilities. The IAF also
operates the Integrated Space Cell together
with the other two branches of the Indian
Armed Forces, the civilian Department of
Space and the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) to utilise more effectively
the country's space-based assets for military
purposes and to look into threats to these
assets.
[7][8]

The Indian Air Force along with the other
branches of the Indian Armed Forces provide
assistance in disaster relief such as during
natural calamities by undertaking evacuation
or search-and-rescue (SAR) operations and
air dropping relief supplies in affected
areas.
[9]
The IAF provided extensive
assistance to relief operations during natural
calamities such as the Gujarat cyclone in
1998, the Tsunami in 2004 and North India
floods in 2013.
[9]
The IAF also provides
assistance to other countries during relief
activities such as Operation Rainbow in Sri
Lanka.
[9]

History[edit]
Main article: History of the Indian Air Force
See also: List of historical aircraft of the Indian
Air Force
Formation and early pilots[edit]

A Westland Wapiti, one of the first aircraft of the
Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force was established
in British India as an auxiliary air force
[10]
of
the Royal Air Force with the enactment of the
Indian Air Force Act 1932 on 8 October that
year
[11][12]
and adopted the Royal Air Force
uniforms, badges, brevets and insignia.
[5]
On 1
April 1933, the IAF commissioned its first
squadron, No.1 Squadron, with four Westland
Wapiti biplanes and five Indian pilots. The
Indian pilots were led by RAF Commanding
officer Flight Lieutenant (later Air Vice
Marshal) Cecil Bouchier.
[13]

World War II (1939-1945)[edit]
Main article: India during World War 2

Arjan Singh as the Flight Lieutenant with Indian
pilots of No.1 Squadron by a Hawker Hurricane IIc.
L to R : Ibrahim, Homi Ratnagar, Arjan Singh,
Henry and Murcot. World War II.
During World War II, the IAF played an
instrumental role in blocking the advance of
the Japanese army in Burma, where its first
air strike was on the Japanese military base
in Arakan. It also carried out strike missions
against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong
Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in
northern Thailand.
The IAF was mainly involved in Strike, Close
Air Support, Aerial reconnaissance, Bomber
Escort and Pathfinding missions for RAF and
USAAF Heavy bombers. RAF Pilots were
embedded in IAF units and vice versa to gain
combat experience. IAF pilots participated in
air operations in Europe as part of the RAF.
[14]

During the war, the IAF went through a phase
of steady expansion. New aircraft, including
the U.S. built Vultee Vengeance, Douglas DC-
3and the British Hawker
Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire and Westland
Lysander, were added to its fleet.
In recognition of the services rendered by the
IAF, King George VI conferred
the prefix "Royal" in 1945. Thereafter the IAF
was referred to as Royal Indian Air Force. In
1950, when India became a republic, the
prefix was dropped and it reverted to Indian
Air Force.
First years of independence (1947
1950)[edit]

Refugees awaiting evacuation by
IAF Dakota on Poonch airstrip, December 1947.
After gaining independence from the British
Empire in 1947, British
India was partitioned into the new states of
the Dominion of India and the Dominion of
Pakistan. Along the lines of the geographical
partition, the assets of the air force were
divided between the new countries. India's air
force retained the name of the Royal Indian
Air Force, but three of the ten operational
squadrons and facilities, located within the
borders of Pakistan, were transferred to
the Royal Pakistan Air Force.
[15]
The RIAF
Roundel was changed to an interim 'Chakra'
roundel derived from the Ashoka Chakra.
[5]

Around the same time, conflict broke out
between them over the control of the princely
state of Jammu & Kashmir. With Pakistani
forces moving into the state, its Maharaja
decided to accede to India in order to receive
military help.
[16]
The day after instrument of
accessionwas signed, the RIAF was called
upon to transport troops into the war-zone.
And this was when a good management of
logistics came into help.
[16]
This led to the
eruption of full scale war between India and
Pakistan, though there was no formal
declaration of war.
[17]
During the war, the RIAF
did not engage the Pakistan Air Force in air-
to-air combat; however, it did provide effective
transport and close air support to the Indian
troops.
[18]

When India became a republic in 1950, the
prefix 'Royal' was dropped from the Indian Air
Force.
[12]
At the same time, the current IAF
roundel was adopted.
[5]

Congo crisis and capture of Goa
(19601961)[edit]
The IAF saw significant conflict in 1960,
when Belgium's 75-year
rule over Congo ended abruptly, engulfing the
nation in widespread violence and
rebellion.
[19]
The IAF activatedNo. 5 Squadron,
equipped with English Electric Canberra, to
support the United Nations Operation in the
Congo. The squadron started undertaking
operational missions in November.
[20]
The unit
remained there until 1966, when the UN
mission ended.
[20]
Operating
from Leopoldville and Kamina, the Canberras
soon destroyed the rebel Air Force and
provided the UN ground forces with its only
long-range air support force.
[21]

In late 1961, the Indian government decided
to deploy the armed forces in an effort to
expel Portugal from the enclaves
of Goa, Daman and Diu after years of
disagreement between New
Delhi and Lisbon.
[22]
The Indian Air Force was
requested to provide support elements to the
ground force in what was called Operation
Vijay. Probing flights by some fighters and
bombers were carried out from 818
December to draw out the Portuguese Air
Force, but to no avail.
[22]
On 18 December, two
waves of Canberra bombers bombed the
runway of Dabolim airfield taking care not to
bomb the Terminals and the ATC tower. Two
Portuguese transport aircraft (a Super
Constellation and a DC-6) found on the
airfield were left alone so that they can be
captured intact. However the Portuguese
pilots managed to take off the aircraft from the
still damaged airfield and made their getaway
toPortugal.
[22]
Hunters attacked the wireless
station at Bambolim. Vampires were used to
provide air support to the ground
forces.
[22]
In Daman, Mystres were used to
strike Portuguese gun
positions.
[22]
Ouragans (called Toofanis in the
IAF) bombed the runways at Diu and
destroyed the control tower, wireless station
and the meteorological station.Successfully
re-integrating these parts into India.
[22]

Border disputes and changes in the
IAF (19621971)[edit]
See also: Aerial warfare in 1965 India
Pakistan War
In 1962, border disagreements between
China and India escalated to a war when
China mobilised its troops across the Indian
border.
[23]
During the Sino-Indian War, India's
military planners failed to deploy and
effectively use the IAF against the invading
Chinese forces. This resulted in India losing a
significant amount of advantage to the
Chinese; especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
[23]

Three years after the Sino-Indian conflict, in
1965, Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar,
a surprise invasion into India which came to
be known as the Second Kashmir War.
[24]
This
was the first time the IAF actively engaged an
enemy air force.
[25]
However, instead of
providing close air support to the Indian
Army,
[26]
the IAF carried out independent raids
against PAF bases.
[27]
These bases were
situated deep inside Pakistani territory,
making IAF fighters vulnerable to anti-aircraft
fire.
[28]
During the course of the conflict, the
PAF enjoyed technological superiority over
the IAF and had achieved substantial strategic
and tactical advantage due to their sudden
attack and whole hearted diplomatic and
military support from the US and
Britain.
[24]
The IAF was restrained by the
government from retaliating to PAF attacks in
the eastern sector while a substantive part of
its combat force was deployed there and
could not be transferred to the western sector,
against the possibility of Chinese intervention.
Moreover, international (UN) stipulations and
norms did not permit military force to be
introduced into the Indian state of J&K beyond
what was agreed during the 1949
ceasefire.
[24]
Despite this, the IAF was able to
prevent the PAF from gaining air superiority
over conflict zones.
[29]
The small and nimble
IAF Folland Gnats proved effective against
the F-86 Sabres of the PAF earning it the
nickname "Sabre Slayers".
[30]
By the time the
conflict had ended, the IAF lost 73 aircraft,
while the PAF lost 43 aircraft.
[24]
More than
60% of IAF's air combat losses took place
during the battles over Kalaikunda and
Pathankot

HAL HF-24 Marut, the first indigenous fighter jet to
enter service with the IAF.
After the 1965 war, the IAF underwent a
series of changes to improve its capabilities.
In 1966, the Para Commandos regiment was
created.
[31]
To increase its logistics supply and
rescue operations ability, the IAF inducted
72 HS 748s which were built by Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under license
from Avro.
[32]
India started to put more stress
on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft.
As a result, HAL HF-24 Marut, designed by
the famed German aerospace engineer Kurt
Tank,
[33]
were inducted into the air force. HAL
also started developing an improved version
of the Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet.
[34]
At
the same time, the IAF also started
inducting Mach 2 capable Soviet MiG-
21 and Sukhoi Su-7 fighters.
[35]

Bangladesh Liberation War
(1971)[edit]
By late 1971, the intensification of the
independence movement in erstwhile East
Pakistan lead to the Bangladesh Liberation
War between India and Pakistan .
[36]
On 22
November 1971, 10 days before the start of a
full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets
attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions
at Garibpur, near the international border.
Two of the four PAF Sabres were shot
down and one damaged by the IAF's Folland
Gnats.
[37]
On 3 December, India
formally declared war against Pakistan
following massive preemptive strikes by the
PAF against Indian Air Force installations in
Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and
Jodhpur. However, the IAF did not suffer
significantly because the leadership had
anticipated such a move and precautions
were taken.
[38]
The Indian Air Force was quick
to respond to Pakistani air strikes, following
which the PAF carried out mostly
defensive sorties.
[39]

Within the first two weeks, the IAF had carried
out almost 2,000 sorties over East Pakistan
and also provided close air support to the
advancing Indian Army.
[40]
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. On the western front, the IAF destroyed
more than 29 Pakistani tanks, 40 APCs and a
railway train during the Battle of
Longewala.
[41]
The IAF undertook strategic
bombing of West Pakistan by carrying out
raids on oil installations in Karachi,
the Mangla Dam and a gas plant in
Sindh.
[42]
Similar strategy was also deployed in
East Pakistan and as the IAF achieved
complete air superiority on the eastern front,
the ordnance factories, runways, and other
vital areas of East Pakistan were severely
damaged.
[43]
By the time Pakistani forces
surrendered, the IAF claimed that 94 PAF
aircraft, including 54 F-86 Sabres had been
shot down.
[44]
The IAF had flown over 6,000
sorties
[40]
on both East and West fronts;
including sorties by transport aircraft and
helicopters.
[40]
Towards the end of the war,
IAF's transport planes dropped leaflets over
Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to
surrender, demoralising Pakistani troops in
East Pakistan.
[45]

Incidents before Kargil (1984
1988)[edit]
In 1984, India launched Operation
Meghdoot to capture the Siachen Glacier in
the contested Kashmir region.
[46]
In Op
Meghdoot, IAF's Mi-
8, Chetak and Cheetah helicopters airlifted
hundreds of Indian troops to
Siachen.
[47]
Launched on 13 April 1984, this
military operation was unique because of
Siachen's inhospitable terrain and climate.
The military action was successful, given the
fact that under a previous agreement, neither
Pakistan nor India had stationed any
personnel in the area. The Indian forces,
facing no opposition, took control over most of
the heights on the glacier.
[48]


IAF An-32s were used to airdrop humanitarian
supplies in Operation Poomalai.
Following the inability to negotiate an end to
the Sri Lankan Civil War, and to provide
humanitarian aid through an unarmed convoy
of ships,
[49]
the Indian Government decided to
carry out an airdrop of the humanitarian
supplies on the evening of 4 June 1987
designatedOperation Poomalai (Tamil:
Garland) or Eagle Mission 4.
[49]
Five An-
32s escorted by five Mirage 2000s carried out
the supply drop which faced no opposition
from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.
[49][50]
Sri
Lanka accused India of "blatant violation of
sovereignty".
[49]
India insisted that it was acting
only on humanitarian grounds.
[49]

In 1987, the IAF supported the Indian Peace
Keeping Force (IPKF) in northern and
eastern Sri Lanka in Operation Pawan. About
70,000 sorties were flown by the IAF's
transport and helicopter force in support of
nearly 100,000 troops and paramilitary forces
without a single aircraft lost or mission
aborted.
[51]
IAF An-32s maintained a
continuous air link between air bases in South
India and Northern Sri Lanka transporting
men, equipment, rations and evacuating
casualties.
[51]
Mi-8s supported the ground
forces and also provided air transportation to
the Sri Lankan civil administration during the
elections.
[51]
Mi-25s of No. 125 Helicopter Unit
were utilised to provide suppressive fire
against militant strong points and to interdict
coastal and clandestine riverine traffic.
[51]

On the night of 3 November 1988, the Indian
Air Force mounted special operations to airlift
a parachute battalion group from Agra, non-
stop over 2000 kilometres to the remote
Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives in
response to Maldivian president Gayoom's
request for military help against a mercenary
invasion in Operation Cactus. The IL-76s of
No. 44 Squadron landed at Hulhule at 0030
hours and the Indian paratroopers secured
the airfield and restored Government rule at
Male within hours.
[52]

Kargil War (1999)[edit]
On 11 May 1999, the Indian Air Force was
called in to provide close air support to the
Indian Army at the height of the
ongoing Kargil conflict with the use of
helicopters.
[52]
The IAF strike was code
named Operation Safed Sagar.
[52]
The first
strikes were launched on 26 May, when the
Indian Air Force struck infiltrator positions with
fighter aircraft andhelicopter gunships.
[53]
The
initial strikes saw MiG-27s carrying out
offensive sorties, with MiG-21s and later MiG-
29s providing fighter cover.
[54]
The IAF also
deployed its radars and the MiG-29 fighters in
vast numbers to keep check on Pakistani
military movements across the
border.
[55]
Srinagar Airport was at this time
closed to civilian air-traffic and dedicated to
the Indian Air Force.
[53]

On 27 May, the Indian Air Force suffered its
first fatality when it lost a MiG-21 and a MiG-
27 in quick succession.
[notes 1][56][57]
The following
day, while on an offensive sortie, a Mi-17 was
shot down by three Stinger missiles and lost
its entire crew of four.
[54]
Following these
losses the IAF immediately withdrew
helicopters from offensive roles as a measure
against the threat of Man-portable air-defense
systems (MANPAD). On 30 May, the Mirage
2000s were introduced in offensive capability,
as they were deemed better in performance
under the high-altitude conditions of the
conflict zone. Mirage 2000s were not only
better equipped to counter the MANPAD
threat compared to the MiGs, but also gave
IAF the ability to carry out aerial raids at night.
The MiG-29s were used extensively to
provide fighter escort to the Mirage
2000.
[58]
The Mirages successfully targeted
enemy camps and logistic bases in Kargil and
severely disrupted their supply lines.
[59]
Mirage
2000s were used for strikes on Muntho Dhalo
and the heavily defended Tiger Hill and paved
the way for their early recapture.
[54]
At the
height of the conflict, the IAF was conducting
over forty sorties daily over the Kargil
region.
[58]
By 26 July, the Indian forces had
successfully repulsed the Pakistani forces
from Kargil.
[60]

Post Kargil incidents (1999
present)[edit]
On 10 August 1999, IAF MiG-21s intercepted
a Pakistan Navy Breguet Atlantique which
was flying over Sir Creek, an Indian
territory. The aircraft was shot down killing all
16 Pakistani Navy personnel on board.
[61]
India
claimed that the Atlantic was on a mission to
gather information on IAF air defence,
[62]
a
charge emphatically rejected by Pakistan
which argued that the unarmed aircraft was
on a training mission.
[63]

Since the late 1990s, the Indian Air Force has
been modernising its fleet to counter
challenges in the new century. The fleet size
of the IAF has decreased to 33 squadrons
during this period because of the retirement of
older aircraft. Still, India maintains the fourth
largest air force in the world. The IAF plans to
raise its strength to 42 squadrons.
[64]
Self-
reliance is the main aim that is being pursued
by the defence research and manufacturing
agencies.
On 20 August 2013, the Indian Air Force
created a world record by performing the
highest landing of a C-130J at the Daulat Beg
Oldi airstrip in Ladakh at the height of 16614
feet (5065 meters).
[65][66]
The medium-lift
aircraft will be used to deliver troops, supplies
and improve communication networks. The
aircraft belonged to the Veiled
Vipers squadron based at Hindon Air Force
Station.
[67]

On 13 July 2014, two MiG-21s were sent
from Jodhpur Air Base to investigate a Turkish
Airlines plane over Jaisalmer when it repeated
an identification code, provided by another
commercial passenger plane that had already
entered Indian airspace before it. The flights
were on their way to Mumbai and Delhi,
planes were later allowed to proceed after
their credentials were verified.
[68]

On 25 July 2014, an advanced landing
chopper-307 crashed in a field
of Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, on its way
to Allahabad from Bareilly. At least 7 people
were dead after the incident took place.
[69]

Structure[edit]

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha
The President of India is the Supreme
Commander of all Indian armed forces and by
virtue of that fact is the notional Commander-
in-chief of the Air Force. Chief of the Air
Staff with the rank of Air Chief Marshal is the
Commander of the Indian Air Force. He is
assisted by six officers, all with the rank of Air
Marshal:
Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Air Officer in Charge of
Administration
Air Officer in Charge of
Personnel
Air Officer in Charge of
Maintenance
Director General of Inspection
and Flight Safety.
In January 2002, the government conferred
the rank of Marshal of the Air Force on Arjan
Singh making him the first and only Five-
star officer with the Indian Air Force and
ceremonial chief of the air force.
[70]

Commands[edit]
The Indian Air Force is divided into five
operational and two functional commands.
Each Command is headed by an Air Officer
Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Air
Marshal. The purpose of an operational
command is to conduct military operations
using aircraft within its area of responsibility,
whereas the responsibility of functional
commands is to maintain combat readiness.
Aside from the Training Command at
Bangalore, the centre for primary flight
training is located at the Air Force Academy in
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, followed by
operational training at various other schools.
Advanced officer training for command
positions is also conducted at the Defence
Services Staff College; specialised advanced
flight training schools are located at Bidar,
Karnataka, and Hakimpet, Andhra Pradesh
(also the location for helicopter training).
Technical schools are found at a number of
other locations.
[71]

Operational Commands
Central Air
Command (CAC),
headquartered
at Allahabad, Uttar
Pradesh
Eastern Air
Command (EAC),
headquartered
at Shillong, Meghalaya
Southern Air
Command (SAC),
headquartered
at Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala
South Western Air
Command (SWAC),
headquartered
Functional
Commands
Training
Command (TC),
headquartered
at Bangalore,
Karnataka
Maintenance
Command (MC),
headquartered
at Nagpur,
Maharashtra
at Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Western Air
Command (WAC),
headquartered at New
Delhi
Wings[edit]
A Wing is a formation intermediate between a
Command and a Squadron. It generally
consists of two or three IAF Squadrons and
Helicopter Units, along with Forward Base
Support Units (FBSU). 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 fully fledged
air bases playing host to various Squadrons.
In all, about 47 Wings and 19 FBSUs make up
the IAF.
[72][73]
Wings are typically commanded
by a Group Captain.
Squadrons and Units[edit]
Squadrons / Units are the field units and
formations attached to static locations. Thus,
a Flying Squadron or Unit is a sub-unit of an
air force station which carries out the primary
task of the IAF. All fighter squadrons are
headed by a Commanding Officer with the
rank of Wing Commander.
[74]
Some Transport
squadrons and Helicopter Units are headed
by a Commanding Officer with the rank
of Group Captain.
[show]
V
T
E
Squadrons of the Indian Air Force
Flights[edit]
Flights are sub-divisions of Squadrons,
commanded by a Squadron Leader.
[75]

Within this formation structure, IAF has
several service branches for day-to-day
operations. They are:
[76]

Flying
Branch
Flying
Technical
Branch
Engineering
Ground Branch
Logistics
Administration
Accounts
Education
Medical &
Dental
Meteorological
Garud Commando Force[edit]
Main article: Garud Commando Force

Garud commandos at aero-India 2011
In September 2009, the IAFMM. established
its own special operation unit called the Garud
Commando Force, consisting of
approximately 1500 personnel. For starting
this special force volunteers from exiting
trades were called and sent for commando
and specialized training at various institutes of
army and other forces.The airmen who
successfully completed all course were
inducted in Garud force, while special
recruitment and selections from various IAF
training institute were made for selecting
young air warriors for Garud SF.By doing this
IAF got two set of personnel for its SF i.e.
experienced senior lot with experience of
working in various IAF units and younger
airmen who can be groomed & brought up to
the standards of SF. The unit derives its name
from Garuda, a divine mythical bird
of Hindu Mythology, but more commonly the
word for Garuda in Sanskrit Language. Garud
is tasked with the protection of critical
installations; During hostilities, Garuds
undertake combat search and rescue, rescue
of downed airmen and other forces from
behind enemy lines, suppression of enemy air
defence (SEAD), radar busting, combat
control, missile and munitions guidance
("lasing" of targets) and other missions in
support of air operations. It has been
suggested that they undertake an offensive
role including raids on enemy air bases etc.
during times of war.
Apart from protecting air bases from sabotage
and attacks by commando raids, they are also
tasked to seal off weapons systems, fighter
hangars and other major systems during
intrusions and conflicts. and disaster relief
during calamities.
[77]

Integrated Space Cell[edit]
Main article: Integrated Space Cell
An Integrated Space Cell, which will be jointly
operated by all the three services of the Indian
armed forces, the civilian Department of
Space and the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) has been set up to utilise
more effectively the country's space-based
assets for military purposes.
[7][8]
This command
will leverage space technology including
satellites. Unlike an aerospace command,
where the air force controls most of its
activities, the Integrated Space Cell envisages
cooperation and coordination between the
three services as well as civilian agencies
dealing with space.
[78]

India currently has 10
[79]
remote sensing
satellites in orbit. Though most are not meant
to be dedicated military satellites, some have
a spacial resolution of 1 metre or below which
can be also used for military applications.
Noteworthy satellites include the Technology
Experiment Satellite (TES) which has a
panchromatic camera (PAN) with a resolution
of 1-metre,
[80]
the RISAT-2 which is capable of
imaging in all-weather conditions and has a
resolution of one metre,
[81]
the CARTOSAT-
2, CARTOSAT-2A
[82][83]
and CARTOSAT-
2B
[84]
which carries a panchromatic camera
which has a resolution of 80 centimetres
(black and white only).
Display Teams[edit]

HAL HJT-16 Kirans of the Surya Kiran display
team flying in formation.
Main articles: Surya Kiran and Sarang
(military)
Surya Kiran (Sanskrit for Sun Rays) is
an aerobatics demonstration team of the
Indian Air Force. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic
Team (SKAT) was formed in 1996 and are
successors to the Thunderbolts.
[85]
The team
has a total of 13 pilots (selected from the
fighter stream of the IAF) and operate 9 HAL
HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 trainer aircraft
[85]
painted in
a "day-glo orange" and white colour scheme.
The Surya Kiran team were conferred
squadron status in 2006, and presently have
the designation of 52 Squadron, Air force
("The Sharks").
[86]
Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team
is based at the Indian Air Force Station
at Bidar.
[85]
The HJT-16 Kiran is to be replaced
by the HAL HJT-36 Sitara. The IAF have
already given an order for 12 Limited Series
Production aircraft for the Surya Kiran
team.
[87]
Meanwhile, IAF has begun the
process of converting Surya Kirans to BAE
Hawks. It will take 23 years for the team to
completely shift to Hawks.
[87]

Sarang is the Helicopter Display Team of the
Indian Air Force. The name Sarang
(Sanskrit for Peacock) is symbolic as it is the
national bird of India. The team was formed in
October 2003 and their first public
performance was at the Asian Aerospace
Show, Singapore, 2004.
[88]
The team flies
four HAL Dhruvs
[89]
painted in red and white
with a peacock figure at each side of the
fuselage. The Sarang display team is based
at the Indian Air Force base at Air Force
Station Sulur, Coimbatore.As IAF is facing an
acute shortage of Pilots, Surya Kiran
Aerobatic Team & 'Sarang' may become
history as IAF may think of utilizing pilots in
various fighter Aircraft.
Personnel[edit]

Officers of the IAF in their uniform.
Over the years reliable sources provided
notably divergent estimates of the personnel
strength of the Indian Air Force after
analysingopen-source intelligence. The public
policy organisation GlobalSecurity.org had
estimated that the IAF had an estimated
strength of 110,000 active personnel in
1994.
[71]
In 2006, Anthony Cordesman
estimated that strength to be 170,000 in
the International Institute for Strategic
Studies (IISS) publication "The Asian
Conventional Military Balance in 2006".
[90]
In
2010, James Hackett revised that estimate to
an approximate strength of 127,000 active
personnel in the IISS publication "Military
Balance 2010".
[91]

The rank structure of the Indian Air Force is
based on that of the Royal Air Force. The
highest rank attainable in the IAF is Marshal
of the Indian Air Force, conferred by the
President of India after exceptional service
during wartime. MIAF Arjan Singh is the only
officer to have achieved this rank. The head of
the Indian Air Force is the Chief of the Air
Staff, who holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
The current Chief of the Air Staff is Air Chief
Marshal Arup Raha with effect from 31
December 2013.
Officers[edit]
Anyone holding Indian citizenship can apply
to be an officer in the Air Force as long as
they satisfy the eligibility criteria. There are
four entry points to become an officer. Male
applicants, who are between the ages of 16
and 19 and have passed high school
graduation, can apply at
the Intermediate level.
[92]
Men and women
applicants, who have graduated from college
(three-year course) and are between the ages
of 18 and 28, can apply at the Graduate level
entry.
[93]
Graduates of engineering colleges
can apply at theEngineer level if they are
between the ages of 18 and 28 years. The
age limit for the flying and ground duty branch
is 23 years of age and for technical branch is
28 years of age.
[94]
After completing a master's
degree, men and women between the ages of
18 and 28 years can apply at the Post
Graduate level. Post graduate applicants do
not qualify for the flying branch. For the
technical branch the age limit is 28 years and
for the ground duty branch it is 25.
[95]
At the
time of application, all applicants below 25
years of age must be single.
[96]
The IAF
selects candidates for officer training from
these applicants. After completion of training,
a candidate is commissioned as a Flying
Officer.
[97]

Ranks of the Indian Air Force- Officer Ranks
Sh
oul
de
r

Sle
eve

Ra
nk
M
ars
ha
l
of
th
e
Ai
r
Fo
rc
Ai
r
Ch
ief
M
ars
ha
l
Ai
r
M
ars
ha
l
Ai
r
Vi
ce
M
ars
ha
l
Air
Co
mm
odo
re
Gr
ou
p
Ca
pt
ai
n
Win
g
Co
mm
and
er
Sq
ua
dro
n
Le
ad
er
Fli
ght
Lie
ute
nan
t
Fl
yi
ng
O
ffi
ce
r
Pil
ot
Of
fic
er
2

e
Honorary/War
time rank.

2
Rank no longer
exist.

Airmen[edit]

A Foreign delegate taking the guard of honour
during a Honor guardceremony to Lula da Silva at
theRashtrapati Bhavan.
The duty of an airman in the Indian Air Force
is to make sure that all the air and ground
operations run smoothly. From operating Air
Defence systems to fitting missiles, they are
involved in all activities of an air base and give
support to various technical and non-technical
jobs.
[98]
The recruitment of personnel below
officer rank is conducted through All India
Selection Tests and Recruitment Rallies. All
India Selection Tests are conducted among
14 Airmen Selection Centres (ASCs) located
all over India. These centres are under the
direct functional control of Central Airmen
Selection Board (CASB), with administrative
control and support by respective commands.
The role of CASB is to carry out selection and
enrolment of airmen from the Airmen
Selection Centres for their respective
commands.
[98]
Candidates initially take a
written test at the time of application. Those
passing the written test undergo a physical
fitness test, an interview conducted in English,
and medical examination. Candidates for
training are selected from individuals passing
the battery of tests, on the basis of their
performance. Upon completion of training, an
individual becomes an Airman.
[98]
Some
MWOs and WOs are granted honorary
commission in the last year of their service as
an honorary Flying Officer or Flight
Lieutenant before retiring from the service.
[98]

Ranks of the Indian Air Force - Enlisted Ranks

Junior
Commissione
d Officer

Enlisted
Sho
ulde
r

A
r
m

Slee
ve

Ran
k
Ma
ster
Wa
rran
t
Offi
cer
Wa
rran
t
Offi
cer
Juni
or
Wa
rran
t
Offi
cer

Ser
gea
nt
Cor
pora
l
Leadi
ng
Aircra
ftsma
n
Aircra
ftsma
n
Honorary Officers[edit]
Sachin Tendulkar was the first
sportsperson and the first
civilian
without aviation background to
be awarded the honorary rank
of Group Captain by the Indian
Air Force.
[99]

Non Combatants Enrolled and
civilians[edit]
Non Combatants Enrolled (NCs(E)) were
established in British India as personal
assistants to the officer class, and are
equivalent to the orderly or sahayak of the
Indian Army.
[100]

Almost all the commands have some
percentage of civilian strength which are
central government employees. These are
regular ranks which are prevalent in
ministries. They are usually not posted
outside their stations and are employed in
administrative and non-technical work.
[101][102]

Training and education[edit]

The Sudan Block of the National Defence
Academy (NDA). NDA serves as the joint services
academy for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
The Indian Armed Forces has set up
numerous military academies across India for
training its personnel. Military schools, Sainik
Schools, and the Rashtriya Indian Military
College were founded to broaden the
recruitment base of the Defence Forces. The
three branches of the Indian Armed Forces
jointly operate several institutions such as
the National Defence
Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff
College(DSSC), National Defence
College (NDC) and the College of Defence
Management (CDM) for training its officers.
The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
at Pune is responsible for providing the entire
pool of medical staff to the Armed Forces by
giving them in service training.
Besides these Tri-service institutions, the
Indian Air Force has a Training Command and
several training establishments. While
technical and other support staff are trained at
various Ground Training Schools, the pilots
are trained at the Air Force Academy located
at Dundigul. The Pilot Training Establishment
at Allahabad, the Air Force Administrative
College at Coimbatore, the School of Aviation
Medicine at Bangalore, the Air Force
Technical College, Bangalore at Jalahalli and
the Paratroopers Training School at Agra are
some of the other training establishments of
the IAF.
Aircraft inventory[edit]
Main article: List of active Indian military
aircraft
See also: List of historical aircraft of the Indian
Air Force
The Indian Air Force has aircraft and
equipment of Russian (erstwhile Soviet
Union), British, French, Israeli, U.S. and
Indian origins with Russian aircraft dominating
its inventory. HAL produces some of the
Russian and British aircraft in India under
licence. The exact number of aircraft in
service with the Indian Air Force cannot be
determined with precision from open sources.
Various reliable sources provide notably
divergent estimates for a variety of high-
visibility aircraft.
[103]

Airborne early warning aircraft[edit]

IAF Beriev A-50EI Mainstay AWACS.
The IAF currently operates the EL/W-
2090 Phalcon AEW&C incorporated in
a Beriev A-50 platform. A total of 3 such
systems are currently in service, with possible
orders for 2 more.
[104][105][106]
The Airborne
Early Warning and Control
System (AEWACS) is a project of
India's DRDO to develop an AWACS system
for the Indian Air Force. The DRDO AWACS
program aims to deliver three radar-equipped
surveillance aircraft to the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft platform selected was
the Embraer ERJ 145. Three ERJ 145 were
procured fromEmbraer at a cost of US $ 300
Million, including the contracted modifications
to the airframe. Probable delivery date for the
first batch of three is 2015.
[107]

Multi-role fighters and strike
aircraft[edit]

Sukhoi Su-30 MKI.

HAL Tejas, being developed by India.
The IAF's primary air superiority fighter with
the additional capability to conduct air-ground
(strike) missions is Sukhoi Su-30MKI. The IAF
have placed an order for a total of 272 Su-
30MKIs
[108]
of which 204
[109]
are in service as of
March 2013. The Mikoyan MiG-29 known
as Baaz (Hindi for Hawk) is a dedicated air
superiority fighter and constitutes a second
line of defence after the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. 66
MiG-29s are in service, all of which are
currently being upgraded to the MiG-29UPG
standard.
[110]
The Dassault Mirage 2000,
known as Vajra (Sanskrit for Thunderbolt) in
Indian service, is the primarymultirole fighter,
the IAF currently operates 51 Mirage 2000Hs
which are currently being upgraded to the
Mirage 2000-5 MK2
standard.
[111][112]
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-
21 serves as an Interceptor aircraft in the IAF.
The IAF have phased out most of its MiG-21s
and plans to keep only 125 that have been
upgraded to MiG-21 Bison standard.
[113]
These
aircraft will be phased out between 2014 and
2017.
[114]
The MiG-21s are planned to be
replaced by the indigenously built HAL
Tejas.
[115][116]

The SEPECAT Jaguar known
as Shamsher and the Mikoyan MiG-27 known
as Bahadur (Hindi for Valiant) serve as the
IAF's primary ground attack force.
[117]
The IAF
currently operates 139 Jaguars
[118]
and over
100 MiG-27s.
[119]

Tanker and transport aircraft[edit]

Il-76 of the Indian Air Force lands inLeh, Ladakh.

Newly acquired Boeing C-17 Globemaster III being
tested atEdwards Air Force Base.
The IAF currently operates 6 Ilyushin Il-
78MKIs in the aerial refueling (tanker)
role.
[120][121]
For strategic military
transport operations the IAF uses the Ilyushin
Il-76 known as Gajraj (Hindi for King
Elephant) in Indian service.
[122]
The IAF
currently operates 17 Il-76s,
[123]
which are to
be replaced by a number of C-17
Globemaster IIIs in the near future.
[124][125]

The C-130J of the IAF is used by special
forces for combined Army-Air Force
operations.
[126]
India purchased six C-130Js;
however, one such C-130J crashed
at Gwalior on 28 March 2014 while on a
training mission, killing all 5 onboard and
destroying the aircraft.
[127][128]
TheAntonov An-
32 known as Sutlej (name of an Indian river)
serves as medium transport aircraft in the IAF.
The aircraft is also used in bombing roles and
para-dropping operations.
[129]
The IAF
currently operates 105 An-32s, all of which
are being upgraded.
[129]
The Dornier Do
228 serves as light transport aircraft in the
IAF.
[130]
The IAF also
operates Boeing 737s
[131]
and Embraer ECJ-
135 Legacy aircraft
[132]
as VIP transports and
passenger airliners for troops. Other VIP
transport aircraft are used for both
the President of India and the Prime Minister
of India under the call sign Air India One.
[133]

The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 once formed
the backbone of the IAF's transport fleet, but
are now used mainly for training and
communication duties.
[134]
A replacement is
under consideration.
[135]

Trainer aircraft[edit]

IAF BAE Hawk Mk 132.
The HAL HPT-32 Deepak is IAF's basic flight
training aircraft for cadets.
[136]
The HPT-32 was
grounded in July 2009 following a crash that
killed two senior flight instructors,
[137]
but was
revived in May 2010
[137]
and is to be fitted with
a parachute recovery system (PRS) to
enhance survivability during an emergency in
the air and to bring the trainer down
safely.
[137]
The HPT-32 is to be phased out
soon.
[137]
The IAF uses the HAL HJT-16 Kiran
mk.I for intermediate flight training of cadets,
while the HJT-16 Kiran mk.II provides
advanced flight and weapons
training.
[138][139]
The HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 is
also operated by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic
Team (SKAT) of the IAF.
[140]
The Kiran is to be
replaced by the HAL HJT-36
Sitara.
[141]
The BAE Hawk Mk 132 serves as
an advanced jet trainer in the IAF and is
progressively replacing the Kiran Mk.II. The
IAF has begun the process of converting
the Surya Kiran display team to Hawks.
[87]
A
total of 106 BAE Hawk trainers have been
ordered by the IAF of which 39 have entered
service as of July 2010.
[142]

The purchase of 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II aircraft
was cleared by the Cabinet Committee. The
decision has been made in the wake of acute
shortage of basic trainer aircraft.
[143]
On 24
May 2012, IAF signed a Rs 2800 crore deal
with Pilatus Aircraft to purchase 75 PC-
7s.
[144]
Another 37 of these planes has been
ordered under follow-on contract that will take
the total planes with IAF to 112.
[145]

Helicopters[edit]

IAF Mil Mi-35 Hind Akbar.

Indian Air Force HAL Dhruv
The HAL Dhruv serves primarily as a light
utility helicopter in the IAF. In addition to
transport and utility roles, newer Dhruvs are
also used as attack helicopters.
[146]
4 Dhruvs
are also operated by the Indian Air
Force Sarang Helicopter Display
Team.
[89]
The HAL Chetak is a light utility
helicopter and is used primarily for training,
rescue and light transport roles in the
IAF.
[147]
The HAL Chetak is being gradually
replaced by HAL Dhruv.
[147]
The HAL
Cheetah is a light utility helicopter used for
high altitude operations. It is used for both
transport and search-and-rescue missions in
the IAF.
[148]
The Mil Mi-8 and the Mil Mi-17, Mi-
17 1V and Mi-17V 5 are operated by the IAF
for medium lift strategic and utility roles. The
Mi-8 is being progressively replaced by the
Mi-17 series of helicopters.
[149][150]
The IAF has
ordered 80+59 Mi-17V-5s to replace and
augment its existing fleet of Mi-8s and Mi-17s.
.
[151]
The Mil Mi-26 serves as a heavy lift
helicopter in the IAF. It can also be used to
transport troops or as a flying ambulance. The
IAF currently operates 4 Mi-26s.
[152]

The Mil Mi-35 serves primarily as an attack
helicopter in the IAF. The Mil Mi-35 can also
act as a low-capacity troop transport. The IAF
currently operates 2 squadrons (No.104
Firebirds and No.125 Gladiators) of Mi-
25/35s.
[153]

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles[edit]
The IAF currently uses the IAI Searcher
II
[154]
and IAI Heron
[155]
for reconnaissance and
surveillance purposes. The IAI Harpy serves
as an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
(UCAV) which is designed to attack radar
systems.
[156]
The IAF also operates the DRDO
Lakshya which serves as realistic towed aerial
sub-targets for live fire training.
[157]

Land-based missile
systems[edit]

Akash missile.
Surface-to-air missile systems[edit]
The S-125 Pechora
[158]
and the 9K33
Osa
[100]
as Surface-to-air missile systems in
service is getting replaced with
the Akash medium range surface-to-air
missile system. A total of 8 squadrons has
been ordered so far.
[159]

Ballistic missiles[edit]
The IAF currently operates the Prithvi-II short-
range ballistic missile (SRBM). The Prithvi-II is
an IAF-specific variant of the Prithvi ballistic
missile.
[160]

Future of the Indian Air
Force[edit]
Main article: Future of the Indian Air Force
The number of aircraft in the IAF has been
decreasing from the late 1990s due to
retirement of older aircraft and several
crashes. To deal with the depletion of force
levels, the IAF has started to modernise its
fleet. This includes both the upgrade of
existing aircraft, equipment and infrastructure
as well as induction of new aircraft and
equipment, both indigenous and imported. As
new aircraft enter service and numbers
recover, the IAF plans to have a fleet of 42
squadrons.
[161]

Current acquisitions[edit]
The IAF has placed orders for 48 HAL
Tejas fighters,
[162]
75 Pilatus PC-7MkII basic
trainers,
[163]
72 HAL HJT-36
Sitara trainers,
[87]
10 C-17 Globemaster III
strategic air-lifters,
[164]
65 HAL Light Combat
Helicopters,
[165]
139 Mi-17V-
5 helicopters.
[151][166]
and the IAF has also
ordered 18 Israeli SPYDER Surface to Air
Missile (SAM) units.
[167]
It was announced in
2012 that India will order 126 Dassault
Rafale multi-role fighters at a cost of USD 20
billion as part of the MRCA
competition,
[168][169]
6 Airbus A330 tanker
aircraft,
[170]
22 AH-64E Apache
Longbow heavy attack helicopters,
[171]
12
VVIP-configured AgustaWestland
AW101 helicopters,
[172]
15 CH-47F medium lift
helicopters
[173]
and IAI HaropUCAVs.
[156][174]
As
of January 2013, news reports have begun to
appear that India may order an additional 63
Rafale fighter jets from France, increasing the
total number of the French jets to 189.
[175]
The
IAF has issued a Request for Information
(RFI) for 16 C-27J Spartan medium military
transport aircraft.
[176]
A new Request For
Information has been issued to
replace Hawker Siddeley HS 748 for $ 2.4
billion.
[177]
The IAF also submitted a request for
information to international suppliers for a
stealth unmanned combat air vehicle
(UCAV)
[178]
and the Indian Ministry of Defence
(MOD) will float a tender for 125 light
helicopters.
DRDO and HAL projects[edit]
Indian defence companies such
as HAL and DRDO are developing several
aircraft for the IAF such as the HAL
Tejas,
[115][116]
Advanced Medium Combat
Aircraft (AMCA),
[179]
DRDO AEW&CS (revived
from the Airavat Project),
[180]
NAL
Saras,
[181]
HAL HJT-36 Sitara,
[182]
HAL HTT-
40, HAL Light Combat
Helicopter (LCH),
[183]
HAL Light Observation
Helicopter (LOH),
[184]
DRDO
Rustom
[185]
and AURA (Autonomous
Unmanned Research Aircraft)
UCAV.
[186]
DRDO has developed the Akash
missile system for the IAF
[187][188]
and is
developing the Maitri SAM with
MBDA.
[189]
DRDO is also developing the Prithvi
II ballistic missile.
[190]

HAL has undertaken the joint development of
the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA (Fifth Generation
Fighter Aircraft)
[191]
(a derivative project of
the Sukhoi PAK FA) and the UAC/HAL Il-
214Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA)
[192]
with
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
DRDO has entered in a joint venture
with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to
develop theBarak 8 SAM.
[193]
DRDO is
developing the air-launched version of
the BrahMos cruise missile in a joint venture
with Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia. DRDO
is also developing the nuclear
capable Nirbhay cruise missile.
[194]

Network-centric Warfare[edit]
The Air Force Network (AFNET), a robust
digital information grid that enabled quick and
accurate threat responses, was launched in
2010, helping the IAF become a truly network-
centric air force. AFNET is a secure
communication network linking command and
control centers with offensive aircraft, sensor
platforms and ground missile batteries.
Integrated Air Command and Control System
(IACCS), an automated system for Air
Defense operations will ride the AFNet
backbone integrating ground and airborne
sensors, weapon systems and command and
control nodes. Subsequent integration with
civil radar and other networks shall provide an
integrated Air Situation Picture, and reportedly
acts as aforce multiplier for intelligence
analysis, mission control, and support
activities like maintenance and logistics. The
design features multiple layers of security
measures, including encryption and intrusion
prevention technologies, to hinder and deter
espionage efforts.
[195]

See also[edit]

Military of India portal
Indian Armed Forces
Indian Naval Air Arm
Indian Army
Indian Navy
India and weapons of mass
destruction
Footnotes[edit]
1. Jump up^ According to an
Indian reports, a MiG-27
crashed from engine trouble
and the escorting MiG-21
was shot down by Pakistani
fire while trying to aid the
downed pilot. The MiG-21
pilot was killed and the MiG-
27 pilot was taken as a war
prisoner. Pakistan claims
both jets were downed by
Pakistani air defence after
they crossed into its
territory. India claims they
were lost over Indian
territory.
References[edit]
1. ^ Jump up to:
a

b
"World Air
Forces
2014". Flightglobal.com
2. Jump up^ "The IAF
Motto". Official Website.
Webmaster IAF Air
Headquarters. Retrieved 7
April 2009.
3. Jump up^ "A Mother in
India: 8th October". 22
October 2007. Retrieved 20
July 2010.
4. Jump up^ "SBP Sinha
appointed as Deputy chief of
Indian Air Force". IANS.
news.biharprabha.com.
Retrieved 1 May 2014.
5. ^ Jump up to:
a

b

c

d
"Indian
Air Force Museum
Heraldry (Badges and
Insignia)". Bharat Rakshak.
Retrieved 16 January 2012.
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139. Jump up^ "HAL HJT-
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