The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honoured India’s aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal¹. After India gained independence from United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of the Dominion of India. With the transition to a republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed¹. Since 1950, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai. The IAF’s mission expands beyond engagement with hostile forces, with the IAF participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The IAF has undergone several modernization and expansion programs to enhance its capabilities and meet the challenges of the changing security environment. The IAF operates a diverse fleet of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, transporters, helicopters, trainers, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The IAF also has a range of air defence systems, including missiles, radars, and electronic warfare systems. In this note, we will highlight some of the advanced capabilities of the IAF that make it one of the most formidable air forces in the world.

Fighter Aircraft

The IAF operates a mix of indigenous and imported fighter aircraft that can perform various roles such as air superiority, ground attack, interception, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence. Some of the advanced fighter aircraft in the IAF inventory are:

Rafale: The Rafale is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft developed by France’s Dassault Aviation. It is capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a high degree of agility and stealth. The Rafale can carry a variety of weapons, including MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile². The IAF has ordered 36 Rafales from France and received the first batch of six aircraft in July 2020. The Rafale will enhance the IAF’s strike capability and provide an edge over its adversaries.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI: The Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, super-maneuverable fighter aircraft developed by Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau and customized for India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is one of the most advanced variants of the Su-30 family and can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a high degree of accuracy and survivability. The Su-30MKI can carry a variety of weapons, including BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and Astra BVR air-to-air missile. The IAF has around 270 Su-30MKIs in service and plans to upgrade them with new avionics and weapons. The Su-30MKI is the backbone of the IAF’s fighter fleet and provides a strategic deterrence against China and Pakistan.

Tejas: The Tejas is a single-engine, light combat aircraft developed by India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL. It is the first indigenous fighter aircraft to be inducted into the IAF and can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a high degree of agility and versatility. The Tejas can carry a variety of weapons, including Derby BVR air-to-air missile and Spice precision-guided bomb⁴. The IAF has ordered 123 Tejas aircraft in two variants: Mk1 and Mk1A. The Tejas will replace the aging MiG-21s in the IAF’s inventory and boost its combat potential.

Air Defence Systems

The IAF operates a range of air defence systems that can detect, track, intercept, and destroy hostile aerial targets such as aircraft, missiles, drones, and rockets. Some of the advanced air defence systems in the IAF inventory are:

S-400 Triumf: The S-400 Triumf is a long-range, surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey. It is considered one of the most advanced and capable air defence systems in the world and can engage multiple targets simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and reliability. The S-400 can fire four types of missiles, with a maximum range of 400 km and a maximum altitude of 30 km. The IAF has ordered five S-400 systems from Russia and expects to receive the first batch by the end of 2021. The S-400 will provide a robust and layered air defence cover for the IAF and enhance its strategic deterrence.

Akash: The Akash is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile system developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). It is an indigenously designed and produced system that can engage multiple targets simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and mobility. The Akash can fire a single-stage, solid-fuelled missile, with a maximum range of 30 km and a maximum altitude of 18 km. The IAF has inducted several squadrons of Akash systems and plans to upgrade them with new seekers and radars. The Akash will provide a reliable and cost-effective air defence solution for the IAF.

Astra: The Astra is a BVR air-to-air missile developed by DRDO and HAL. It is the first indigenous BVR missile to be inducted into the IAF and can engage hostile aircraft with a high degree of agility and stealth. The Astra can fire a single-stage, solid-fuelled missile, with a maximum range of 110 km and a maximum speed of Mach 4.5. The IAF has integrated the Astra on its Su-30MKI and Tejas aircraft and plans to integrate it on other platforms as well. The Astra will enhance the IAF’s air-to-air combat capability and provide an edge over its adversaries.

Future Plans

The IAF has ambitious plans to further modernize and expand its capabilities in the coming years. Some of the future plans of the IAF are:

Induction of new aircraft: The IAF plans to induct new aircraft such as Rafale, Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), etc. These aircraft will provide the IAF with advanced features such as stealth, supercruise, super-maneuverability, network-centricity, etc.

Upgradation of existing aircraft: The IAF plans to upgrade its existing aircraft such as Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, etc. These upgrades will include new avionics, weapons, radars, engines, etc. These upgrades will enhance the performance, reliability, survivability, and interoperability of these aircraft.

Development of new weapons: The IAF plans to develop new weapons such as Rudram anti-radiation missile, Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile, BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile, SFDR ramjet missile, etc. These weapons will provide the IAF with enhanced range, speed, precision, and lethality.

Acquisition of new systems: The IAF plans to acquire new systems such as S-400 Triumf air defence system, AWACS aircraft, UAVs, UCAVs, swarm drones, etc. These systems will provide the IAF with enhanced situational awareness, surveillance, reconnaissance, strike, and defence capabilities.

The IAF is one of the most advanced and capable air forces in the world. It operates a diverse fleet of aircraft and systems that can perform various roles and missions. It has undergone several modernization and expansion programs to enhance its capabilities and meet the challenges of the changing security environment. It has also developed indigenous technologies and products that have boosted its self-reliance and innovation. The IAF is constantly striving to achieve its motto: “Touch the sky with glory”.

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