Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force (IAF; Devanāgarī: Bhartiya Vāyu Senā) is the air arm of the armed forces of India. Its primary responsibility is to secure and preserve peace whithin Indian airspace, and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. The Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the Indian Empire. In 1945, King George VI conferred the prefix Royal in recognition of its services during the World War II. After India achieved its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Union of India and after India became a republic in 1950, the prefix was dropped.
Since independence the Air Force had been involved in several conflicts with neighbouring Pakistan and in 1962 with China. In 1961, the IAF played a crucial role during liberation of Goa and in 1971, during the Bangladesh liberation war. Apart from combat operations during war, the IAF is often called upon during natural disasters to provide relief to victims.
The President of India is Commander in Chief of the Air Force. Chief of the air staff, an Air Chief Marshal, is the commander of the Air Force. In 2002, for his service during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war as Air Chief Marshal, Arjan Singh was given the honorary rank of Marshal of the Air Force. Officers holding this rank never retires and is the ceremonial chief of the Airforce. Approximately 170,000 men and women serve in the Air Force and with over 1,500 aircraft in active service, it is the world's fourth largest. Other than the officers and airmen, the IAF employs a large number of non-combat and civilian personnel for day to day affairs.
Large number of aircraft in the Air Force's inventory are aging Soviet era MiGs and due to their ongoing decomissioning, the IAF fleet is shrinking. Therefore, in recent years, the IAF has undertaken an ambitious expansion and modernization program. With lengthy delays in the development of an indigenous replacement fighter, Indian launched the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program. Under this program the IAF plans to induct 126 fighter jets at a cost of US$12 billion. India is increasingly projecting its power beyond South Asia. To assist its foreign policy, Government of India has authorized to increase the force level from 39.5 squadrons in present to 42 squadrons in 2022
The Indian Air Force (IAF; Devanāgarī: Bhartiya Vāyu Senā) is the air arm of the armed forces of India. Its primary responsibility is to secure and preserve peace whithin Indian airspace, and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. The Indian Air Force was officially established on October 8, 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the Indian Empire. In 1945, King George VI conferred the prefix Royal in recognition of its services during the World War II. After India achieved its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Union of India and after India became a republic in 1950, the prefix was dropped.
Since independence the Air Force had been involved in several conflicts with neighbouring Pakistan and in 1962 with China. In 1961, the IAF played a crucial role during liberation of Goa and in 1971, during the Bangladesh liberation war. Apart from combat operations during war, the IAF is often called upon during natural disasters to provide relief to victims.
The President of India is Commander in Chief of the Air Force. Chief of the air staff, an Air Chief Marshal, is the commander of the Air Force. In 2002, for his service during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war as Air Chief Marshal, Arjan Singh was given the honorary rank of Marshal of the Air Force. Officers holding this rank never retires and is the ceremonial chief of the Airforce. Approximately 170,000 men and women serve in the Air Force and with over 1,500 aircraft in active service, it is the world's fourth largest. Other than the officers and airmen, the IAF employs a large number of non-combat and civilian personnel for day to day affairs.
Large number of aircraft in the Air Force's inventory are aging Soviet era MiGs and due to their ongoing decomissioning, the IAF fleet is shrinking. Therefore, in recent years, the IAF has undertaken an ambitious expansion and modernization program. With lengthy delays in the development of an indigenous replacement fighter, Indian launched the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program. Under this program the IAF plans to induct 126 fighter jets at a cost of US$12 billion. India is increasingly projecting its power beyond South Asia. To assist its foreign policy, Government of India has authorized to increase the force level from 39.5 squadrons in present to 42 squadrons in 2022
