List of active Indian military aircraft#Air Force
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{{Short description|Current aircraft of the Indian Armed Forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Multiple image
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| header={{large|Indian military aircraft}}
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| image1=IAF_Jaguar.jpg
| image2=Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29UPG Fulcrum, India - Air Force JP7677166.jpg
| image3=Sikorsky_MH-60R_Seahawk_helicopter_of_Indian_Navy.jpg
| image4=Indian Navy Alouette (9703048488) (2).jpg
| image5=Lockheed C-130J-30 'KC-3801'.jpg
| image6=Ilyushin_Il-78MKI_(RK-3452).jpg
| footer=Various Indian military aircraft; Left to right:
1. SEPECAT Jaguar
2. Mikoyan MiG-29UPG
3. Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk
4. HAL Chetak
5. Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules
6. Ilyushin Il-78MKI with Dassault Mirage 2000s
}}
The Indian Armed Forces consists of Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.{{cite web|title=Indian Armed Forces|url=http://knowindia.gov.in/myindia/myindia_frame.php?id=6|work=Government of India|access-date=17 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925101556/http://knowindia.gov.in/myindia/myindia_frame.php?id=6|archive-date=25 September 2015}} These three arms and the Indian Coast Guard operate a combination of combat, reconnaissance, tanker, and transport aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=267-270}}
The Su-30MKI, assembled in India, forms the major inventory of the Indian combat aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-sukhoi-30-fighter-jets-will-help-check-chinese-footprint-in-indian-ocean/story-z5znqEDRVU5RfcBmfLl0GL.html|title=How Sukhoi-30 fighter jets will help check Chinese footprint in Indian Ocean|date=20 January 2020|work=The Hindustan Times|access-date=6 March 2020|archive-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220084854/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-sukhoi-30-fighter-jets-will-help-check-chinese-footprint-in-indian-ocean/story-z5znqEDRVU5RfcBmfLl0GL.html|url-status=live}} Tejas was the first indigenous fighter aircraft, which became part of the air force in 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/tejas-lca-hal-manohar-parrikar-anup-raha-ada-defence-ministry-236135-2015-01-17|title=Indian Air Force finally gets Tejas, the 'Made in India' Light Combat Aircraft, after a wait of 32 years|work=India Today|date=17 January 2015|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=1 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101141603/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/tejas-lca-hal-manohar-parrikar-anup-raha-ada-defence-ministry-236135-2015-01-17|url-status=live}} Rafale is the latest entry into the air force, having being inducted in July 2020.{{cite press release|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642125|title=Induction of Rafale In Indian Air Force|date=29 July 2020|access-date=1 June 2024|work=Press Information Bureau}} Other combat aircraft include the Russian MiG 21 and MiG 29, French Mirage, and British Jaguar aircraft.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=267-270}} The armed forces operate a combination of various transport aircraft including tactical and strategic airlifters. Majority of this fleet is composed of the legacy Antonov An-32, Dornier 228, and Hawker Siddeley HS 748 aircraft.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=267-270}} In the 2010s, the air force inducted large American air-lifters C-17 and C-130J aircraft in the fleet.{{cite news|url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2011-02-07-Indian-Air-Force-Celebrates-Induction-of-First-C-130J-Super-Hercules|title=Indian Air Force Celebrates Induction of First C-130J Super Hercules|date=7 February 2011|access-date=1 June 2024|work=Lockheed Martin|archive-date=26 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726204932/https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2011-02-07-Indian-Air-Force-Celebrates-Induction-of-First-C-130J-Super-Hercules|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsindian-air-force-receives-first-c-17-globemaster-iii-aircraft/|title=Indian Air Force receives first C-17 Globemaster III aircraft|date=12 June 2013|access-date=1 June 2024|work=Airforce Technology|archive-date=16 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616091356/https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsindian-air-force-receives-first-c-17-globemaster-iii-aircraft/|url-status=live}} In 2023, it started inducting C-295 transport aircraft to replace its older ageing fleet.{{cite news|url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-09-airbus-delivers-first-c295-to-india|title=Airbus delivers first C295 to India|date=15 September 2023|access-date=1 June 2024|work=Airbus|archive-date=24 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624042804/https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-09-airbus-delivers-first-c295-to-india|url-status=live}}
The Indian helicopter fleet consists of the French Alouette and SA 315, which were license built in India.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/hal-launches-revamped-chetak-with-new-engine-105020201039_1.html|title=HAL launches revamped Chetak with new engine|date=1 March 2013|access-date=1 June 2024|work=Business Standard}} The Russian made Mil Mi-17 and Mil Mi-24 forms the major complement of the helicopter fleet.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=267-270}} HAL has designed and built various helicopters locally for the usage of armed forces such as the Dhruv, Prachand, and Rudra.{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/prachand-lch-the-game-changing-indigenous-attack-helicopter-that-puts-india-ahead-in-high-altitude-warfare-at-21000-feet/articleshow/119653983.cms?from=mdr|title=Prachand LCH: The game-changing indigenous attack helicopter that puts India ahead in high-altitude warfare at 21,000 feet|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=28 March 2025|access-date=1 May 2025}} Since the late 2020s, India has inducted American made AH-64 and CH-47 into the fleet.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-negotiating-purchase-of-more-apache-and-chinook-helicopters-boeing-official/article65520774.ece|title=India in talks for more Apache, Chinook choppers: Boeing official|newspaper=The Hindu|date=30 June 2022|access-date=1 June 2024}} The Indian fleet also consists of various other reconnaissance and trainer aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles which include both local and imported planes.{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=267-270}}
Air Force
File:RB005 - Dassault Rafale - Indian Air Force - 50976863128.jpg]]
File:DRDO AEW&C Embraer ERJ 145.JPG on Embraer ERJ 145]]
File:C-295 Indian Air Force.jpg]]
File:Apache at Air Force Day Parade, at Air Force Station Hindan, in Ghaziabad (cropped).jpg]]
File:HAL Prachand (ZF 4834).jpg]]
File:Aero India 2025 HAL LUH IAF Camo.jpg]]
File:Hindustan_HJT-16_Kiran_II_Krivchikov_2007.jpg]]
{{Further|Indian Air Force|Future of the Indian Air Force}}
{{Also|List of active Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons}}
The Indian Air Force was established in 1932.{{cite web|title=HC Deb 3 April 1933 vol 276 cc1473-501|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1933/apr/03/clause-4-relations-between-royal-air|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=8 April 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503154955/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1933/apr/03/clause-4-relations-between-royal-air|date=3 April 1933|archive-date=3 May 2009}} The air force operates about 90 air squadrons including 31 equipped with fighter aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/units|title=Indian Air Force units|work=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=27 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627005242/https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/units/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/with-aircraft-fleet-below-1965-level-air-chief-vows-to-optimise-resources-124100700323_1.html|title=As fighter aircraft fleet dips below 1965 level, Air Chief vows measures|work=Business Standard|date=7 October 2024|access-date=1 May 2025}} The air force maintains a fleet of combat, patrol, and transport aircraft, various helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles across more than 60 air bases in the country.{{sfn|IISS|2024|p=270-271}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-indian-air-force-stations-1624943561-1|title=List of Indian Air Force stations|work=Jagran Prakashan|date=10 May 2025|access-date=10 May 2025|archive-date=23 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623225546/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-indian-air-force-stations-1624943561-1|url-status=live}}
Army Aviation Corps
File:Advanced Light Helicopter ALH Rudra (cropped).jpg]]
File:IA-1136_HAL_Dhruv_(Indian_Army).jpg]]
File:Indian navy UAV Heron flies by.JPG]]
{{Further information|Army Aviation Corps (India)}}
The Army Aviation Corps was formed on 1 November 1986.{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-army-aviation-corps-the-youngest-corps-of-the-indian-army-6912908/|title=What is Army Aviation Corps, the youngest Corps of the Indian Army?|work=The Indian Express|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009095748/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-army-aviation-corps-the-youngest-corps-of-the-indian-army-6912908/|url-status=live}} It operates a series of helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.{{sfn|IISS|2024|p=266-267}}
Naval Air Arm
File:An Indian Navy MIG-29K Fulcrum flies over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during Exercise Malabar 2017.jpg operates from aircraft carriers]]
File:Boeing P-8I of the Indian Navy (modified).jpg maritime patrol aircraft]]
File:Indian_Navy_Kamov_Ka-31_(cropped).jpg naval helicopter]]
{{Further|Indian Naval Air Arm|List of Indian naval aircraft}}
The air arm of the Indian Navy was established in 1948. The navy operates 26 air squadrons stationed across eight naval air stations that operate under the flag officers of the various naval commands.{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/naval-air-units.htm|title=Naval air units|work=Global Security|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609152733/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/naval-air-units.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://indiannavy.gov.in/indian-naval-squadrons|title=Naval air squadrons|work=Indian Navy|access-date=1 June 2024}} The air arm maintains a fleet of combat and maritime patrol aircraft, various helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.{{sfn|IISS|2024|p=268-269}}
Coast Guard
{{Further information|Indian Coast Guard}}
The Indian Coast Guard is a maritime armed force, which was formed in 1978. It is involved in the protection of the maritime and offshore assets, and protecting the oceanic boundaries.{{cite web|url=https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2011/Union_Performance_Defence_Services_Role_and_Functioning_Indian_Coast_guard_7_2011_chapter_1.pdf|title=Services, role and functioning of the Indian Coast Guard|work=Comptroller and Auditor General, Government of India|date=July 2011|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=13 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213205019/https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2011/Union_Performance_Defence_Services_Role_and_Functioning_Indian_Coast_guard_7_2011_chapter_1.pdf|url-status=live}}{{rp|page=1}} The coast guard operates various ships and aircraft including fixed wing reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters.{{sfn|IISS|2024|p=270}}{{rp|page=5}}
File:Dornier Do-228-101, India - Coast Guard JP7712387.jpg of the Indian Coast Guard]]
See also
Notes
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References
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2024|publisher=International Institute of Strategic Studies|year=2024|isbn=978-1-032-78004-7|ref={{harvid|IISS|2024}}}}
External links
- [http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit_page.php?pg_id=23&cat=F The Official Home Page of Indian Air Force.]
{{Military of India}}
{{lists of aircraft|military}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Active Indian Military Aircraft}}