The Indian Air Force, often abbreviated as the IAF, is the world's fourth largest air force after those of the USA ,Russia and China ; and operates more than 780 combat and 1400 non-combat aircraft (including UAVs).Here is a list of those aircraft which have served the IAF, and also those which are currently or are expected to enter service: [edit] Current Aircraft | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[1][2] | Trainers/Attack[1][2] | Squadrons[1][2] | Notes | | |  Sukhoi Su-30MKI Flanker-H |  Russia
 India | Multi Role Air Superiority Fighter | Su-30MKI Flanker-H | @103 | 0 | 2,8,20,24,30,31 | Total ordered (50+140+40) + (Additional 50 still to be ordered, as per ForceIndia) will be procured/produced/assembled by 2015-2016 bringing the total number to 280. Two Su-30's have crashed so far. |  Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum | Russia | Air Superiority Fighter | Mig-29S | 54 | 8 | 28, 47, 223 | All 62 MiG-29S to be upgraded to "SMT" standard.Service life of MiG-29s aircraft will be extended from 25 to 40 years,first deliveries in 2011 and program to be completed by 2014. |  Dassault Mirage 2000 |  France | Multi Role Fighter | Mirage 2000 H | 40 | 11 | 1, 7, 9 | The fleet of 51 aircraft are to be upgraded to Mirage 2000-5 standards. In April, 2008, Thales & Dassault are chosen as Upgrade OEMs, however, Price negotiations still going.[3] |  Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21Bison |  Soviet Union | Intercepter Fighter | MiG-21 Bison | 108 | 12 | 3,4, 21, 23, 32, 51 | 125 MiG-21bis upgraded to "Bison" standard. ( 5 Upgraded Bison's have been lost). All MiG-21s to be phased out by 2011 and replaced with LCA Tejas[4] except MiG-21 Bison, which will stay in service up to 2020. | | MiG-21bis | 48 | 8 | 15, 26 | | MiG-21M/MF | 80 | 10 | 17, 35 , 37, 101, 108 | | MiG-21FL | 48 | 6 | MOFTU A, MOFTU B, OCU | | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[1][2] | Trainers/Attack[1][2] | Squadrons[1][2] | Notes | | |  Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 | Soviet Union | Ground Attack aircraft | MiG-27UPG | @96 | 11 MiG-23UM | 10, 18, 22, 29, 222, TACDE(0.5) | Upgrades (only avionics) completed for 40 a/c( Sqdn 10 and 29). Reports suggest another 40 a/c would be upgraded, including new engines/avionics.[5]. The aircraft should remain in service until 2025.? |  Jaguar GR-1 Shamser
 Jaguar IS
 Jaguar IM | France
 United Kingdom | Ground attack aircraft | Jaguar IS | @104 | 25 | 5, 14, 16, 27, 224 | In all 178, including 20 IS + 17 IT (new builds conform to DARIN-II standards),35 earlier DARIN-1 aircraft lost and had major avionics/systems upgrades completed for 40 older DARIN-I aircraft to DARIN-2, DARIN-3 fit currently being finalized for around 60+ remaining DARIN-I Jaguars. Engine upgrade also being considered for the entire fleet (@120 a/c - in 2 batches of 59 and 61 a/c each), choice between Honeywell F-125 and uprated Rolls Royce Adour variant.[6][7][8] | | Maritime air support | Jaguar IM+IS+IT | 6 + 4 | 2 | 6 | | | Total number of aircraft | 731 | 94 | 796 APRX | | | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[1][2] | Squadrons[1][2] | Notes | | | | HAL HPT-32 Deepak | India | trainer/Primary Jet Trainer(PJT) | HPT-32 | <-70 | | Stage 1 training.Expected to be phased out by 2014; replacement to be HAL HTT-40 |  HAL HJT-16 Kiran | India | trainer/Intermediate Jet Trainer(IJT) | HJT-16 | <-84 | | Stage 2 training . to be replaced from 2011-12 onwards by the HJT-36 Sitara, 16 of which were ordered in 2003, delaying the project due to Prototype crash-landed. |  BAE Hawk | United Kingdom | trainer/Advanced Jet Trainer(AJT) | Hawk 132 | 23+5 | | Stage 3 training . 66 ordered (24 direct supply( 1 crashed in 2008) + 42 by HAL). New RFP issued in March,'09; 10 locally assembled Hawks were to be delivered by HAL by Mar 2009,seems only 5 will be delivered by end 2009.Reports suggest major spare parts shortage/quality issues. Reports surfaced in March 2009 that India is upset over the supply of old and poor quality spares for Hawk 132 trainers by BAE Hawk, and has shelved plans to place follow-on orders.[9] According to a report the 10 aircraft that have been delivered so far, one of which met with the accident on April 29 at the IAF base in Bidar, were reportedly fitted with old spare parts. A senior- most Indian air force officer, in his report, said there were serious deficiencies in the spares as well as in some of the assemblies. The officer responsible for maintenance management of all IAF weapon systems and equipment, has pointed out over a dozen flaws in the aircraft spares to the defence minister. The minister, on his part, has halted the delivery of the remaining aircraft. [10] | | Total Trainers Aircraft | 179 | | | | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[1][2] | Trainers/Attack[1][2] | Squadrons[1][2] | Notes | | |  Embraer EMB 135 |  Brazil | VIP transport | ECJ-135 Legacy | 5 | | Air HQ Comn Sqn | |  Boeing 737 |  United States | VIP transport | 737-200 | 2 | | Air HQ Comn Sqn | Also used for ELINT, fitted with indigenous equipment developed by the DRDO and manufactured by BEL. Replaced by BBJs as far as VIP transport is concerned. |  Boeing Business Jet | United States | VVIP transport | 737-800 | 3 | | Air HQ Comn Sqn | AIR FORCE ONE version of India christened Rajdhoot, Rajhans and Rajkamal. All new aircraft operational. |  Dornier Do 228 |  Germany India | Light Tactical Transport | Do 228-201 | 40 | | 41, TTW, 6 Comm Flts (2 A/c) | built by HAL; Upgrade programme being considered. |  Hawker Siddeley HS 748 | United Kingdom | Tactical Transport | HS 748-100 | <64 | | 11, 41 'A', 59, 106 'A', 6 Cmd Flts (2 A/c) | Not all operational. A handful of 748s are used for ELINT, fitted with indigenous equipment.To be replaced by the MRTA. |  Antonov An-32 Cline | Soviet Union | Tactical Transport | An-32 | 104 | | 12, 25'B', 33, 43, 48, 49, PTS, TTW | 15 aircraft crashed/accidents so far. 104 AN-32s will get an upgrade and life extension overhaul from 2009 to 2017,(at a cost of USD$ 397.7/Deal signed with Ukraine on 15/6/09) with an initial lot of 6 a/c being sent to Ukraine and the rest undergoing it at Kanpur BRD. 8 An32's configured for VIP transport.[11] To be replaced by the MRTA. |  Ilyushin Il-76 Candid | Soviet Union | Heavy Transport | Il-76 | <@24 | | 44, 25 'A' | Being Upgraded; 1st Upgraded Il-76 back on 23/3/09. Reports suggest @17 a/c are operational.
| | Total Transport Aircraft | 248 | | | | | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[1][2] | Squadrons[1][2] | Notes | [edit] Airborne Early Warning and Control | | IL-76 Phalcon AWACS | Russia
 Israel | AWACS | Phalcon | 1(+2 on order) | 50 | First AWACS aircraft had been inducted to No 50 sq based in Agra on 28 May 2009.[12] According to the revised delivery schedule, second and third ones now expected in 2010. IAF is keen on building up its Phalcon AWACS fleet to a strength of six. AWACS will enable the IAF to carry out tactical surveillance over a radius of 400 kilometers.[13] | | Total number of AWACS | 1 | - | | | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Squadrons | Notes | | |  HAL Dhruv | India | utility helicopter | Dhruv | 36 | 117, 132, 151 | deliveries underway, additional 54 to be acquired by 2012 (Reports suggest - 38 Utility + 16 armed).[17] | | India | Attack helicopter | Dhruv WSI | - | - | First Flight of prototype expected Jan 2010/ Initial Clearance by end 2010/ Final Operational Clearance by end 2011; Total production @ 65 helicopters for the IAF. |  Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama | France | utility helicopter | SA 315B Cheetah/Cheetal | 24 + 4 | 114, 131F, 132F | built by HAL/ to be replaced in the near future, evaluation of various types in process. 10 HAL built Cheetal's on order (upgraded Cheetah); 4 delivered on 26/7/09; balance 6 by end Sept, 09/early Oct 09. |  Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III | France | utility helicopter | SA 316B Chetak | 48 | 111, 116, 141SSS F, 142SSS F, HTS | 60 were built by HAL; to be replaced in the near future, evaluation of various types in procress. |  Mil Mi-8/17 | Soviet Union | transport helicopter | Mi-8 | 102 | 105,109, 110, 112,119, 121, 122F | The 102 Mi 8's are to be replaced by 80 weaponized Mi-17V-5's, for delivery early 2010-2013. The $1.2 Billion deal was signed on 5/12/08. During MAKS 2009 it was revealed that IAF is planning on ordering 40 more Mi-17-V5 helicopters.[18]. Reports also suggest that the Augusta-Westland EH 101 ( 8 VIP + 4 Utility) has been shortlisted for replacing the VIP Mi-8/-17's. | | Mi-17 | 90+ | 107,118,127, 128, 129, 130, 152, 153 |  Mil Mi-35 Hind-E | Soviet Union | attack helicopter | Mi-35 | 20 | 104, 125 | upgraded/ 22 replacements being evaluated. RFP issued 25/5/09. |  Mil Mi-26 Halo | Soviet Union | transport helicopter | Mi-26 | 4 | 126HF | 2 - 3 operational ? / 15 replacements being evaluated. RFP issued 25/5/09. | | Total number of Helicopters | 328+ | | | | |  DRDO Nishant | India | | Reconnaissance Remotely Piloted Vehicle - RPV | ? | | Indian Army has placed an order for 12 Nishant UAVs along with ground support systems. Deliveries underway. |  Lakshya PTA | India | | Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) | 23+ | | surface/ship launched high subsonic reusable aerial target system, remotely piloted from ground. It provides training to the gun/missile crew and to air defence pilots for weapon engagement. |  IAI Harpy | Israel | | Fire & Forget Radar Emitter Destroyer | 90 | | |  IAI Heron | Israel | Heron II | Strategic Multi-Role UAV | 70+ | | 16+ more Heron's on order 5/8/09 | | Heron I | 4th Generation strategic reconnaissance and surveillance UAV | 50+ |  IAI Searcher | Israel | Searcher Mk-II | 4th Generation tactical multi-payload UAV | 100+ | | | | Searcher Mk-I | 3rd Generation Intelligence mini-UAV | 50 | | Total Unmanned Air Vehicles | 380+ | | | [edit] Future Aircraft [edit] Combat Aircraft | Aircraft | Origin | Year | Notes | Quantity |  HAL Tejas | India | 2012 | 40 aircraft Mk1 with F404 engine already on order[19]. Plus, reports suggest 8 more two-seaters ordered (Indian Navy order ???). A Mk 2 with either F414 or Eurojet engines being developed. Eventually to be inducted from end 2012 onwards, total units expected to be @200 aircraft, including two seat versions for IAF and IN. Aircraft to have around 70% Indian content. Primary aims are to replace MiG-21's & MiG 27's in service. The LCA is to be a light air superiority aircraft with significant multirole capabilities, and in flight refuelling. FOC expected around 2011-12, production to continue till 2020 for a minimum of around seven squadrons in service (@ 200 aircraft ). Reports suggest that the Indian Navy has ordered 8 LCA's for Rs 900cr from HAL in Sept 2009. | 140[40 mk1 +100mk2] for air force and around 40 for navy. |  MRCA |  European Union
France
Russia
 Sweden
United States | 2014 | India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is to acquire 126 ( + 63 on option) Multi-Role aircraft at an estimated cost of $10.24 Billion; the program may be extended to acquire a total of 189 aircraft. Competitors for the bid include F-16 Falcon IN, JAS-39 Gripen NG, MiG-35, Dassault Rafale, F-18 E/F Super Hornet & the Eurofighter Typhoon. The acquisition will give a significant boost to the IAF and make up for the retirement of its older MiG-21's & MiG-27's .Also lockheed has kept an option for IAF to buy F-35's. | 126-189 . |  FGFA | India
Russia | 2015 | Serious development and funding programme put in place, Reports suggest formal Indo-Russian agreement(HAL-UAC) signed on 23/12/08. First flight of the Russian derivative expected in 2009-10. Being developed from the Russian Su T-50, Tandem-seat variant.[20] Indian Air Force plans for up to 10 Squadrons of the type. Reports suggest that as the Su 30MKI production tapers off in 2015-16, production of the FGFA will start by HAL in 2016 onwards (??) | Unknown . |  Medium Combat Aircraft | India | 2020 | A 5th Generation aircraft which is under preliminary development. Project proposal accepted, IAF Joint committee began framing specifications on May 4, 2009. Expected to be a Jaguar & Mirage 2000 replacement. | Unknown . | [edit] Training aircraft |  HAL HTT-40 | India | 2013-2014 | HTT-40 will replace HAL HPT-32 Deepak. HAL has decided to rope in an international partner for the design and development of the much needed ab initio turbo trainer for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Navy. HAL has sent out a request for information (RFI) to a number of companies that have designed and manufactured basic turbo trainers, including Embraer (for their Tucano), Pilatus (PC-21), Raytheon (T-6 Texan), Finmeccanica (M-311), Grob Aircraft Company (G-120TP) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KT-1).[21] | 200 |  HAL HJT-36 | India | 2010 ? onwards | The HJT-36 will replace the HJT-16 Kiran in its role of as a trainer (Stage-2) in the Indian Air Force. Final production could be 225+ aircraft, serving both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. Custom made engines AL-55I arrived in India from Russia in late December 2008 and is currently undergoing integration with PT-1 (Prototype-1); First test flight with the new Russian engine took place on 9/5/09. | 225+. |  Advanced Jet Trainer |  Czech Republic
United Kingdom
Russia
 Italy
 Republic of Korea | 2011 ? onwards | Indian Ministry of Defence put out requests for information (RFI) for advanced jet trainers to meet a requirement of 57 new lead-in trainer aircraft, of which the Indian Air Force needs 40 and the Indian Navy, 17.Request for information (RFI) have been send to a number of companies that have designed and manufactured trainers, including BAE Hawk-128 , Yak-130 , Aero Vodochody, Aermacchi M-346, MiG-AT and Korea Aerospace Industries (T-50 Golden Eagle).[22] | 40 | [edit] Transport Aircraft |  C-130J Super Hercules | United States | 2011 | Six ordered for Special Operations. Options for 6 more. | 06. |  Ilyushin/HAL Tactical Transport Aircraft | India
Russia | 2015 | First flight expected in 2011. Irkut has pulled out of the project after an industry realignment and has been replaced by Ilyushin. Total cost of development is 600 million US$. The envisaged requirement is for 100 aircraft for the Russian Air Force, 45+ for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and a projected demand of 60 from third countries. The IAF sees the aircraft as a replacement for its ageing fleet of 60-70 An-32/ and Avro HS 748 aircraft. Planned Specs: Maximum takeoff weight: 55,000 kg, Capacity: 88 to 100 paratroopers/passengers, Payload: 18.5 tons. The deal was signed in November 2007 during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow. Rosoboronexport has now identified Ilyushin Aviation Complex as the new prime nodal agency after Irkut pulled out of the project in March 2008. The development and certification of the new aircraft is expected to be completed within six years[23] | 45[24] |  NAL Saras | India | 2012 ? | Initial order for 15 aircraft and 30 more to be procured. Project delayed as 2nd Prototype crashed on 6/3/09, killing all 3 Test pilots. Project delayed.[25][26] | 48. | | |  DRDO AEW&CS | India Brazil | 2011 - 2012 | 3 AEW&C aircraft on order. Aircraft to have ESM/ SIGINT/ CSM ability. Locally developed by the DRDO using the Embraer ERJ-145 (3 ordered) as the carrier. Intended to act as a vital backup node to the more expensive Phalcons, for an in-depth air defense network. More orders expected but of a more capable derivative, based on a larger aircraft platform. | 3 on order. | [edit] Air Tanker Aircraft |  (Speculated picture)Aerial Refueling Tanker | European Union | 2012 onwards | A requirement for six Aerial refuellers either Airbus A330 MRTT or Ilyushin Il-78. Airbus A330 MRTT was shortlisted by IAF because Ilyushin Il-78 was not able to meet the requirements.[27] | Six aircraft to be ordered[28] | [edit] Helicopters |  Light Utility helicopter (LUH) | Russia
United States
India
France
Germany | 2011 onwards | Indian Armed Forces have a requirement of 384 light utility helicopter to replace its aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Earlier Ministry of Defense had scrapped a deal in which Eurocopter AS350 was chosen but later some irregularities were found in the selection process. The helicopters were sought only for India Air Force and then the Indian Army and Indian Navy has joined. Since then HAL has also joined the race with its HAL Light Observation Helicopter and the deal was splitted into 187 indigenous light utility helicopter and 197 foreign, that will be fielded in a new competition.[29] The new competition is expected to start soon and Eurocopter will field the military version Eurocopter Fennec in the trials this time. Deliveries of 133 helicopter for the Army and 64 for the Air Force should start by the end of 2010.[30] | 384 |  AgustaWestland AW101 | United Kingdom
Italy | | It is a Medium Lift Helicopter/VIP Transport Helicopter. It is one of the contenders for the Indian VIP Helicopters and Medium Lift helicopters. IAF had floated a tender in 2006 for supply of 8 VIP Helicopters (12 person) at the cost of $25 million each and 4 Medium Lift Helicopters (30 person) at the cost of $13 million each to replace Mi-8 Helicopters of VIP Squadron. IAF has concluded helicopter trials of the contenders AgustaWestland AW101 and Sikorsky S-92 helicopters in the period 14-19 January, 2008. IAF found that Sikorsky S-92 failed to meet their requirements. The contract is likely to be signed in 2009. The deliveries will begin in 2010. VIP helicopters are expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art, open-architecture gear for encrypted communications by the VIPs, including the prime minister. | 12. |  Attack Helicopter | United States
Russia
Germany
France | Date will be announced | Earlier up to 80 helicopters were projected to complement the existing Mi-25/ 35 attack helicopters, but after considering the development of the indigenous HAL LCH, this number has been reduced to 22. RFI issued/outright purchase. Boeing's AH-64D Apache, Mil's Mi-28, Kamov's Ka-52 are the front-runners for this order. Reports confirm on 24/3/09 that RFP cancelled and a new one would be issued in near future, thereby delaying the procurement plan by @2 years to 2012.[31] Eurocopter's Tiger has opted out of the race, because its undergoing upgrades and would not be able to participate in the field trials, which the IAF is planning to hold in mid-2010.[32] | 22. |  HAL Light Combat Helicopter | India | 2012 | 65 LCH to be delivered to the IAF from 2012 to 2015; Developed from the Dhruv; flight tests now by late 2009(delayed 1 year); FOC end 2011. Reports suggest whole programme delayed by about 1 year as HAL seeks to trim weight further.[33] Developed from the ALH Dhruv. | 65+for IAF. |  Transport Helicopters | United States
Russia | 2011-12 | Indian Air Force has circulated the Request for Information for Heavy Lift Helicopters to the vendors. For this contract, the bidders could include Mil's Mi-26, Boeing's CH-47 Chinook, and Sikorsky's CH-53 Sea Stallion. Indian Air Force has the requirement of 15 such helicopters. | 15. | | |  IAI Harop | Israel | 2011 | Indian Air Force announced that it will be inducting the 10 Harop systems purchased for US$100 Million by 2011.[34] | 10 |  DRDO Rustom | India | | Rustom is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) being developed by DRDO for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force of the Indian Armed Forces. Rustom is derived from the NAL's LCRA (Light Canard Research Aircraft) developed by a team under the leadership of late Prof.Rustom in the 1980s. Rustom will replace/supplement the Heron UAVs in service with the Indian armed forces. The first low speed taxi trials of the first prototype were carried out on September 22, 2008. | NA. |  (Speculated picture)DRDO Pawan | India | | This is a short range Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) being developed by ADE lab of DRDO and HAL. Development of the short-range, vehicle-mounted Pawan is expected to cost $33.2 million. Meant to equip Indian army divisions, the Pawan will be comparable in size and capabilities to Israel’s Eye View, Hermes 180 and Silver Arrow drones. The 120-kilogram Pawan will have day-and-night surveillance capability, an endurance of five hours and a range of 150 kilometers. ADE plans to build four Pawan prototypes under this development program, with Israel Aircraft Industries electro-optic sensors for the payload and its own stabilizer platform. The engine will be purchased from outside India. | NA. |  DRDO Gagan | India | | This is a Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) being developed by ADE lab of DRDO and HAL. The $55.5 million Gagan UAV program will feature development of an advanced version of India's Nishant UAV. The Gagan UAV will have a range of 250 kilometers and an altitude of 6,000 meters. ADE will procure synthetic aperture radar and electro-optic sensors from Israel, and develop its own electronic countermeasure systems. ADE got the funding clearance in May, 2005, and four prototypes will be built within 42 months. | NA. | [edit] Historical aircraft [edit] Fighters [edit] Ground attack / Bombers [edit] Reconnaissance [edit] Trainers [edit] Transport aircraft [edit] Helicopters [edit] General purpose [edit] See also [edit] References | Lists relating to aviation | | | General | | | | Military | | | | Accidents/incidents | | | | Records | | | |
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