Indian Air Force

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Indian Air Force

Bhratya Vyu Sen

The Crest of the Indian Air Force

Founded 8 October 1932; 84 years ago

Country
India

Type Air force

Role Aerial warfare

Size 140,139 active personnel[1]

Approx. 1,720+ aircraft[2][3]

Part of Indian Armed Forces

Headquarters New Delhi

Motto(s)
(Sanskrit)

IAST: Nabha Sprra Dptam

(Touch the Sky with Glory)[4]

Colour Navy blue, sky blue & white

Anniversaries Air Force Day: 8 October[5]

Engagements Notable operations[show]

Website indianairforce.nic.in

Commanders

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa

(CAS)

Vice Chief of Air Air Marshal Shirish Baban Deo[6]

Staff (VCAS)

Notable Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan

commanders Singh

Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal

Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee

Insignia

Air Force Ensign

Roundel
 Fin flash

Aircraft flown

Attack Jaguar, MiG-27, Harpy

Electronic A-50E/I, DRDO AEW&CS

warfare

Fighter Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, MiG-29, HAL

Tejas, MiG-21

Helicopter Dhruv, Chetak, Cheetah, Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-

26, Mi-25/35, HAL Light Combat

Helicopter, HAL Rudra

Reconnaissance Searcher II, Heron

Trainer Hawk Mk 132, HJT-16 Kiran, Pilatus C-7

Mk II

Transport C-17 Globemaster III, Il-76, An-32, HS

748, Do 228, Boeing 737, ERJ 135, C-

130J

Tanker Il-78 MKI

The Indian Air Force (IAF; IAST: Bhratya Vyu Sen) is the air armof the Indian armed forces.
It is the world's fourth largest air force in terms of both personnel and aircraft. [7] Its primary
responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It was
officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire and the
prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II. After India
became independent from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served
the Dominion of India, with the prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950.
Since independence, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one
with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF
include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactusand Operation Poomalai. Apart
from conflicts, the IAF has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions