Indian Air Force - Revision history

WikiSysop at 19:35, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T19:35:59Z

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	[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|~~250~~]]		[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|frameless]]
	{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}		{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}
	The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.		The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.

WikiSysop at 19:35, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T19:35:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:35, 22 December 2025
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	[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|~~400~~]]		[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|250]]
	{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}		{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}
	The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.		The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.

WikiSysop at 19:35, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T19:35:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:35, 22 December 2025
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	[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|~~500~~]]		[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|400]]
	{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}		{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}
	The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.		The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.

WikiSysop at 19:34, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T19:34:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 22 December 2025
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	[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|~~frameless~~]]		[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png\|center\|500]]
	{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}		{{Heading1\|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}
	The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.		The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.

Chief Editor at 17:31, 22 December 2025

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 22 December 2025
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	In partnership with ''Threye'', a Delhi based game developer, The IAF launched ''Guardians of the Skies'', a roleplaying combat game for mobile devices in 2014. The IAF would later also create a successor, titled ''Indian Air Force: A Cut Above'', in 2019.		In partnership with ''Threye'', a Delhi based game developer, The IAF launched ''Guardians of the Skies'', a roleplaying combat game for mobile devices in 2014. The IAF would later also create a successor, titled ''Indian Air Force: A Cut Above'', in 2019.

			[[Category:Indian Air Force]]

Chief Editor at 17:30, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T17:30:08Z

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Chief Editor at 17:09, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T17:09:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:09, 22 December 2025
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	== Personnel ==		== Personnel ==
	In 2017, there was a shortage of 15,503 personnel out of an authorized strength of 155,000.		In 2017, there was a shortage of 15,503 personnel out of an authorized strength of 155,000.
			[[File:Suryakiran insignia.svg.png\|thumb\|200x200px\|Surya Kiran insignia]]
			[[File:Sarang Helicopter Display Team insignia.png\|thumb\|200x200px\|Sarang Helicopter Display Team insignia]]
	In mid-2019, the air force had 12,142 officers out of an authorized strength of 12,625, and 129,094 enlisted personnel out of an authorized 142,917.		In mid-2019, the air force had 12,142 officers out of an authorized strength of 12,625, and 129,094 enlisted personnel out of an authorized 142,917.
			[[File:Sarang solo.jpg\|thumb\|A solo HAL Dhruv Mk.1 of the Sarang Helicopter Display team coming in for landing after a display.]]
	Personnel strength on 1 March 2022 was 138,994 enlisted and 12,143 officers.		Personnel strength on 1 March 2022 was 138,994 enlisted and 12,143 officers.
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
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	In 2025, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) listed active personnel strength at 149,900.		In 2025, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) listed active personnel strength at 149,900.
			[[File:IAF Uniform.png\|thumb\|IAF officers in uniform]]

	=== Rank structure ===		=== Rank structure ===
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	* <abbr>t</abbr>		* <abbr>t</abbr>
	* <abbr>e</abbr>		* <abbr>e</abbr>
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-10.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-9.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-7.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-6.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-5.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-4.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-3.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-2.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="6" \|		\| colspan="6" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-1b.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan="2" \|Marshal of the Indian Air Force		\| colspan="2" \|Marshal of the Indian Air Force

Chief Editor at 16:48, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T16:48:04Z

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Chief Editor at 16:33, 22 December 2025

2025-12-22T16:33:32Z

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Chief Editor: Created page with "frameless {{Heading1|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}} The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary ai..."

2025-12-22T16:29:33Z

Created page with "center|frameless {{Heading1|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}} The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary ai..."

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[[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png|center|frameless]]
{{Heading1|title=भारतीय वायु सेना}}
The '''Indian Air Force''' ('''IAF''') (''Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā'' ''"<mark>नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्</mark>"'') is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.

Since 1950, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactusand Operation Poomalai. The IAF's mission expands beyond engagement with hostile forces, with the IAF participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the IAF. As of 1 January 2025, 135,000 personnel are in service with the Indian Air Force. The Chief of the Air Staff, an air chief marshal, is a four-star officer and is responsible for the bulk of operational command of the Air Force. There is never more than one serving ACM at any given time in the IAF. The rank of Marshal of the Air Force has been conferred by the President of India on one occasion in history, to Arjan Singh. On 26 January 2002, Singh became the first and so far, only five-star rank officer of the IAF.

== Mission ==
The IAF's mission is defined by the Armed Forces Act of 1947, the Constitution of India, and the Air Force Act of 1950. It decrees that in the aerial battlespace:<blockquote>Defence of India and every part there of including preparation for defence and all such acts as may be conducive in times of war to its prosecution and after its termination to effective demobilisation.</blockquote>

* The Primary objective of IAF is to defend the nation and its airspace against Air threats in coordination with Army and Navy.
* The secondary purpose is to assist civil power during natural calamities and internal disturbances.
* The IAF provides close air support to the Indian Army troops in the battlefield and also provides strategic and tactical airlift capabilities.
* IAF also provides strategic air lift or secondary Airlift for the Indian Army.
* The IAF also operates the Integrated Space Cell together with the other two branches of the Indian Armed Forces, the Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
* Rescue of civilians during natural disasters
* Evacuation of Indian nationals from foreign countries in case of instability or other problems

In practice, this is taken as a directive meaning the IAF bears the responsibility of safeguarding Indian airspace and thus furthering national interests in conjunction with the other branches of the armed forces. The IAF provides close air support to the Indian Army troops on the battlefield as well as strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. The Integrated Space Cell is operated by the Indian Armed Forces, the civilian Department of Space, and the Indian Space Research Organisation. By uniting the civilian run space exploration organisations and the military faculty under a single Integrated Space Cell the military is able to efficiently benefit from innovation in the civilian sector of space exploration, and the civilian departments benefit as well.

The Indian Air Force, with highly trained crews, pilots, and access to modern military assets provides India with the capacity to provide rapid response evacuation, search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, and delivery of relief supplies to affected areas via cargo aircraft. The IAF provided extensive assistance to relief operations during natural calamities such as the cyclone in 1998, the tsunami in 2004, and the floods in 2013. The IAF has also undertaken relief missions such as Operation Rainbow in Sri Lanka.

== History ==

=== Formation and early pilots ===
The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 in British India as an auxiliary air forceof the Royal Air Force. The enactment of the Indian Air Force Act 1932 stipulated out their auxiliary status and enforced the adoption of the Royal Air Force uniforms, badges, brevets and insignia. On 1 April 1933, the IAF commissioned its first squadron, No.1 Squadron, with four Westland Wapiti biplanes and five Indian pilots. The Indian pilots were led by British RAFCommanding officer Flight Lieutenant (later Air Vice Marshal) Cecil Bouchier.

"A" flight of No 1. Squadron first saw action in April 1936, in Miranshah, in North Waziristan, flying reconnaissance missions and providing ground support against tribal insurgents in the North-West Frontier. No 1. Squadron was expanded in April 1939 to from a "B" flight, also equipped with Westland Wapiti biplanes, and "C" flight, raised in June 1938 brought the squadron to full strength.

=== World War II (1939–1945) ===
During World War II, the IAF played an instrumental role in halting the advance of the Japanese army in Burma, where the first IAF air strike was executed. The target for this first mission was the Japanese military base in Arakan, after which IAF strike missions continued against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.

The IAF was mainly involved in strike, close air support, aerial reconnaissance, bomber escort and pathfinding missions for RAF and USAAF heavy bombers. RAF and IAF pilots would train by flying with their non-native air wings to gain combat experience and communication proficiency. Besides operations in the Burma Theatre IAF pilots participated in air operations in North Africa and Europe.

In addition to the IAF, many native Indians and some 200 Indians resident in Britain volunteered to join the RAF and Women's Auxiliary Air Force. One such volunteer was Sergeant Shailendra Eknath Sukthankar, who served as a navigator with No. 83 Squadron. Sukthankar was commissioned as an officer, and on 14 September 1943, received the DFC. Squadron Leader Sukthankar eventually completed 45 operations, 14 of them on board the RAF Museum's Avro Lancaster R5868. Another volunteer was Assistant Section Officer Noor Inayat Khan a Muslim pacifist and Indian nationalist who joined the WAAF, in November 1940, to fight against Nazism. Noor Khan served bravely as a secret agent with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in France, but was eventually betrayed and captured. Many of these Indian airmen were seconded or transferred to the expanding IAF such as Squadron Leader Mohinder Singh Pujji DFC who led No. 4 Squadron IAF in Burma.

During the war, the IAF experienced a phase of steady expansion. New aircraft added to the fleet included the US-built Vultee Vengeance, Douglas Dakota, the British Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, and Westland Lysander. 22 Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to personnel of the IAF.

In recognition of the valiant service by the IAF, King George VI conferred the prefix "Royal" in 1945. Thereafter the IAF was referred to as the ''Royal Indian Air Force''. In 1950, when India became a republic, the prefix was dropped and it reverted to being the Indian Air Force.

=== First years of independence (1947–1950) ===
After it became independent from the British Empire in 1947, British India was partitioned into the new states of the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. Along the lines of the geographical partition, the assets of the air force were divided between the new countries. India's air force retained the name of the Royal Indian Air Force, but three of the ten operational squadrons and facilities, located within the borders of Pakistan, were transferred to the Royal Pakistan Air Force. The RIAF Roundel was changed to an interim 'Chakra' roundel derived from the Ashoka Chakra.

Around the same time, war broke out between them over the control of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. With Pakistani forces moving into the state, its Maharaja decided to accede to India in order to receive military help. The day after, the Instrument of Accession was signed, the RIAF was called upon to transport troops into the war zone. And this was when a good management of logistics came into help. This led to the eruption of full-scale war between India and Pakistan, though there was no formal declaration of war. During the war, the RIAF did not engage the Pakistan Air Force in air-to-air combat; however, a couple of IAF Hawker Tempest fighters did intercept a Pakistani Douglas DC-3 transport aircraft & tried to shoot it down but the pilot of the DC-3 (Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar) managed to evade the fighters.Other than that, it also provided effective transport and close air support to the Indian troops.

When India became a republic in 1950, the prefix 'Royal' was dropped from the Indian Air Force. At the same time, the current IAF roundel was adopted.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:09, 22 December 2025
Line 263:		Line 263:
	== Personnel ==		== Personnel ==
	In 2017, there was a shortage of 15,503 personnel out of an authorized strength of 155,000.		In 2017, there was a shortage of 15,503 personnel out of an authorized strength of 155,000.
			[[File:Suryakiran insignia.svg.png\|thumb\|200x200px\|Surya Kiran insignia]]
			[[File:Sarang Helicopter Display Team insignia.png\|thumb\|200x200px\|Sarang Helicopter Display Team insignia]]
	In mid-2019, the air force had 12,142 officers out of an authorized strength of 12,625, and 129,094 enlisted personnel out of an authorized 142,917.		In mid-2019, the air force had 12,142 officers out of an authorized strength of 12,625, and 129,094 enlisted personnel out of an authorized 142,917.
			[[File:Sarang solo.jpg\|thumb\|A solo HAL Dhruv Mk.1 of the Sarang Helicopter Display team coming in for landing after a display.]]
	Personnel strength on 1 March 2022 was 138,994 enlisted and 12,143 officers.		Personnel strength on 1 March 2022 was 138,994 enlisted and 12,143 officers.
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
Line 355:		Line 356:

	In 2025, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) listed active personnel strength at 149,900.		In 2025, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) listed active personnel strength at 149,900.
			[[File:IAF Uniform.png\|thumb\|IAF officers in uniform]]

	=== Rank structure ===		=== Rank structure ===
Line 455:		Line 457:
	* <abbr>t</abbr>		* <abbr>t</abbr>
	* <abbr>e</abbr>		* <abbr>e</abbr>
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-10.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-9.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-8.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-7.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-6.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-5.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-4.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-3.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="2" \|		\| colspan="2" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-2.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\| colspan="6" \|		\| colspan="6" \|[[File:Indian IAF OF-1b.svg.png\|center\|frameless\|93x93px]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan="2" \|Marshal of the Indian Air Force		\| colspan="2" \|Marshal of the Indian Air Force