Indian Air Force
नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्
“Touch the Sky with Glory”
The Indian Air Force is the aerial warfare branch, and the fourth-largest air force in the world by fleet strength. Its inventory spans multirole fighters, strategic airlift, airborne early warning, and one of the densest layered air-defence networks in the region.
- Founded
- 1932
- Active personnel
- ~140,000 active
- Platforms catalogued
- 49
- Indian-built share
- 49%
Browse by category
Fighters
8Multirole and air-superiority combat aircraft, the core of Indian offensive air power.
Transports
10Strategic and tactical airlift, from heavy-lift globemasters to short-field utility types.
Trainers
5Basic, intermediate and advanced jet training platforms.
Helicopters
9Utility, transport and observation rotorcraft operated across all three services.
Attack Helicopters
3Dedicated armed rotorcraft for close air support and anti-armour work.
Airborne Early Warning
2Airborne early warning and control platforms providing radar picture and battle management.
Tankers
1Air-to-air refuelling aircraft extending the reach of the combat fleet.
Unmanned Systems
6Reconnaissance, surveillance and armed unmanned aircraft, including loitering munitions.
Air Defence
4Surface-to-air missile systems and gun-based air defence across all three services.
Cruise Missiles
1Land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, most prominently BrahMos.
Key platforms
The most significant systems in service. The remaining 37 entries are listed under their categories above.
Indian Air Force
BrahMos
The supersonic cruise missile all three services field.
- Role
- Cruise missile
- In service
- 2007 — present
Indian Air Force
HAL Dhruv
ALH Dhruv
The indigenous workhorse flown by every Indian service.
- Role
- Utility helicopter
- In service
- 2002 — present
Indian Air Force
HAL Prachand
LCH
The only attack helicopter that can arm and fight at 5,000 m.
- Role
- Attack helicopter
- In service
- 2022 — present
Indian Air Force
Dassault Rafale
Omnirole Warrior
India's newest 4.5-generation air-superiority platform.
- Role
- Multirole fighter
- In service
- 2020 — present
Indian Air Force
Sukhoi Su-30 MKI
Flanker-H
The heavyweight workhorse of the IAF fleet.
- Role
- Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
- In service
- 2002 — present
Indian Air Force
HAL Tejas
Light Combat Aircraft
India's indigenous fourth-generation fighter.
- Role
- Multirole light fighter
- In service
- 2016 — present
Indian Air Force
Dassault Mirage 2000
Vajra
The precision striker that hit Balakot.
- Role
- Multirole fighter aircraft
- In service
- 1985 — present
Indian Air Force
Mikoyan MiG-29 UPG
Baaz
The Falcon — India's dedicated air-dominance fighter.
- Role
- Air superiority fighter, multirole fighter
- In service
- 1987 — present
Indian Air Force
SEPECAT Jaguar IS
Shamsher
The low-level nuclear strike specialist.
- Role
- Attack aircraft
- In service
- 1979 — phasing out
Indian Air Force
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
The strategic lift that reaches Ladakh.
- Role
- Strategic and tactical airlifter
- In service
- 2013 — present
Indian Air Force
DRDO Netra
India's own airborne early warning platform.
- Role
- Airborne early warning and control
- In service
- 2017 — present
Indian Air Force
Mil Mi-17V-5
The medium-lift helicopter the IAF runs on.
- Role
- Utility, transport, armed capable helicopter
- In service
- 2011 — present