INDIAN AIR FORCE
By
JESAL PATEL
(NR 11106)
The Indian Air Force Today
• IAF today, having completed Platinum Jubilee of a dedicated service to the nation.
• It is the fourth largest air force in the world, with a strength of 1,322 aircraft, including 680 combat aircraft and 305 helicopters, and presently operates a total of 34 squadrons.
• All this aircraft belong to 4.5 generations. The only 4.5 generation fighter Aircraft developed by India is HALL- TEJAS.
• The Indian Air Force has seven commands, of which five are operational and two functional, namely :• HQ Central Air Command, Allahabad • HQ Eastern Air Command, Shillong • HQ Western Air Command, New Delhi • HQ Southern Air Command, Thiruvananthapuram • HQ South-Western Air Command, Gandhinagar • HQ Maintenance Command, Nagpur • HQ Training Command, Bangalore
History of IAF
• Indian air force established on 8th October 1932 under British rule.
• Early it was name as Royal Indian Air Force.• The aircraft RIAF 1st operated was wapiti
planes with one squadron.• Prefix of Royal has been dropped when India
became a republic in 1950.
Major Operations of IAF
• IAF has been involved in four wars till now three with neighbouring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China.
• Major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot and Operation Cactus.
• Apart from conflicts, the IAF has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Hierarchy of Indian Air Force
1 • Air Chief Marshall
2 • Air Marshall
3 • Air Vice Marshall
4 • Air Commander
5 • Wing Commander
6 • Squadron Leader
7 • Flight Leutenant
8 • Flying Officer
Aircrafts with IAF
• SU-30Twin seater twin engine multirole fighter of Russian origin which carries 130 mm GSH gun alongwith 8000 kg external armament. It has a max speed of 2500 km/hr
• Mirage-2000A single seater air defence and multi-role fighter of French origin powered by a single engine can attain max speed of 2495 km/hr.
• MIG-29Twin engine, single seater air superiority fighter aircraft of Russian origin capable of attaining max. speed of 2445 km per hour. It carries a 30 mm cannon alongwith four R-60 close combat and two R-27 medium range radar guided missiles.
• MIG-27Single engine, single seater tactical strike fighter aircraft of Russian origin having a max. speed of 1700 km/hr. It carries one 23 mm six-barrel rotary integral cannon and can carry upto 4000 kg of other armament externally.
• MIG-21 BISSingle engine, single seater multirole fighter/ground attack aircraft of Russian origin which forms the back-bone of the IAF. It has a max speed of 2230 km/hr and carries one 23mm twin barrel cannon with four R-60 close combat missiles.
• JaguarA twin-engine, single seater aircraft of Anglo-French origin which has a max. speed of 1350 km /hr. It has two 30mm guns and can carry two R-350 Magic CCMs (overwing) along with 4750 kg of external stores (bombs/fuel).
• IL-76A four engine heavy duty/long haul military transport aircraft of Russian origin with a max speed of 850 km/hr. It has a twin 23 mm cannon and capacity to carry 225 paratroopers or 40 tonnes freight, wheeled or tracked armoured vehicles.
• MI-26Twin engine turboshaft, military heavy lift helicopter of Russian origin with carrying capacity of 70 combat equipped troops or 20,000 kg payload. It has a max speed of 295 km/hr.
• MI-25 Twin engine turboshaft, assault and anti armour helicopter capable of carrying 8 men assault squad with four barrel 12.7 mm rotary gun in nose and upto 1500 Kg of external ordnance including Scorpion anti-tank missiles. It has a max cruise speed of 310 km/hr.
• ChetakSingle engine turboshaft, light utility French helicopter with capacity of 6 passengers or 500 kg load. The anti-tank version carries 4 AS-11 wire guided missiles. It has a max speed of 220 km/hr.
Upcoming Project MMRCA
• The IAF Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) commonly known as the MRCA Tender, is an ongoing competition to supply the Indian Air Force with 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft.
• The Defence Ministry has allocated Rs. 42,000 crore for the purchase of these aircraft.
THANK YOU