Indian Air Force : Insights

Presentation Prepared By:

Neeraj Lamba
Ankita Mohanty
Anshu Kumari
Sakshi Yadav
Telegram : Let Us Prepare Together
 Contents:-
1. Introduction

1. History and Operations

1. Structure and Personnel

1. Aircraft Inventory

1. Future and current projects

Introduction:
The Indian Air Force, also known as Bharatiya Vayu Sena is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its key
role is to keep the Indian aerospace resistant to attacks and manage aerial warfare during the conflict.

Mission: 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 demobilization.

"Touch the sky

Motto(s) with Glory"
History:
• The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 in British India as an auxiliary air force of
the Royal Air Force.
• After India gained independence from United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force
was kept and served in the name of Dominion of India.
With the government's transition in 1950 to a Republic the prefix Royal was removed.

• On 1 April 1954, Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee, one of the

founding members of the Air Force took over as the first Indian
Chief of Air Staff (CAS)
• Since 1950, the IAF has been involved in four wars with
neighbouring counteries.
Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include:
Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation
Cactus and Operation Poomalai.
World War II photo: Arjan Singh (middle) as
The IAF's mission expands beyond engagement with hostile Flight Lieutenant. He went on to
forces, with the IAF participating in United Nations become Marshal of the Air Force
peacekeeping missions.
STRUCTURE OF THE IAF
COMMANDS OF THE IAF

Air force Academy : Dundigal , Secunderabad

Structure:
Wings
• A wing is a formation intermediate between a command and a squadron. It generally consists of
two or three IAF squadrons and helicopter units, along with forward base support units (FBSU).
• Wings are typically commanded by an air commodore.
Stations
• A station typically has one wing and one or two squadrons assigned to it.
• stations are static units commanded by a group captain.
Squadrons and units
• Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations.
• A fighter squadron consists of 18 aircraft; all fighter squadrons are headed by a commanding
officer with the rank of wing commander.
FLIGHTS AND SECTIONS:

• Flights: Flights are sub-divisions of squadrons, commanded by a squadron leader. Each flight
consists of two sections.
• Sections: The smallest unit is the section, led by a flight lieutenant. Each section consists of three
aircraft.
❖Within this formation structure, IAF has several service branches for day-to-day operations. They
are:
Flying Branch:
❑Flying
Technical Branch:
❑Engineering
Ground Branch:
Logistics Administration
Accounts Education
Medical & Dental Meteorological
 BRANCHES OF INDIAN AIR FORCE:
INDIAN AIR FORCE

FLYING BRANCH TECHNICAL NON TECHNICAL

BRANCH BRANCH
(ENGINEERING) (GROUND DUTY)

ELECTRONICS
ADMINISTRATION

MECHANICAL LOGISTICS

ACCOUNTS

EDUCATION

METEROLOGICA
L
FLYING BRANCH TECHNICAL BRANCH NON-TECHNICAL BRANCH

One is trained as a Fighter pilot, 1. ELECTRONICS -The Includes managing human and
or a Helicopter pilot or a Electronics Branch focuses more material resources, the Ground
Transport pilot and are part of on Signals, Radar systems etc. Duty (Non-technical) Branch is
various peace and wartime the mechanism that steers the
missions. Indian Air Force.
2.MECHANICAL -The
Mechanical Branch is more
focused on maintenance, IAF
Engines, Tools, Machinery etc

ENTRY- Through NDA exam, ENTRY- ENTRY- AFCAT exam

AFCAT exam, CDSE, NCC special 1.UES (University Entry Scheme)
entry. 2. Aeronautical Engineering
ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTS LOGISTICS EDUCATION METEOROLOGY

Commission - Commission - Commission - Commission - Commission -

PC (for men) PC (for men) PC (for men) PC (for men) PC (for men)
SSC (for men & women) SSC (for men & women) SSC (for men & women) SSC (for men & SSC (for men & women)
women)

Responsible for the efficient Responsible for the Responsible for materials management of As a Meteorology Branch Officer, you would
management of both human and efficient financial all Air Force resources. One ensures be involved handling the latest satellite
material resources. Some of the officers management of funds. efficient supervision of inventories and imagery and state-of-the-art monitoring
One act as an internal involve in procurement processes of equipment, you would render specific
of the Administration Branch are
auditor to ensure a zero- various ranges of equipment. advice to the operators on all aspects of
selected and trained to carry out the defect audit from outside weather.
following duties also: agencies.
· Air Traffic Controller –
Involves maintaining an orderly flow of
traffic and airspace management.
· Fighter Controller –
Involves close contact and supervision
between the air and radar for effective
airspace management.

Qualification- Graduate degree in any Qualification- B.Com Qualification- Graduate degree in any Qualification - Qualification -Post Graduation Degree in any
discipline. discipline. Passed 10+2 and science stream/ Mathematics/ Statistics/
Post-Graduation Geography/ Computer Applications/
with 50% in any Environmental Science/ Applied Physics/
discipline including Oceanography/ Agricultural Meteorology/
integrated courses Ecology & Environment/ Geo-physics/
offering PG (Single Environmental Biology
degree without
permission to exit
and lateral entry)
and with 60% marks
in Graduation in any
discipline
EXERCISES OF IAF:
Name of Exercise Country associated
EX DESERT KNIGHT FRANCE
EXERCISE DESERT FLAG UAE (United Arab Emirates)
EXERCISE COPE INDIA USA
EXERCISE AVIAINDRA RUSSIA
EXERCISE EASTERN BRIDGE OMAN
EXERCISE INDRADHANUSH UK
EXERCISES - RED FLAG USA
EXERCISE SINDEX SINGAPORE

Exercise Red Flag in Alaska

 RECENT AIRSTRIKES AND ATTACKS
• BALAKOT AIR STRIKE
IAF Inventory
PARTS OF AN AIRCRAFT fin tail unit
(stabiliser)

wing tip
Movements of aircraft- Roll, Pitch, Yaw
The Inventory has been categorized into
following sections:
• Multi-role fighters and strike aircraft
• Airborne early warning and control system
• Aerial refuelling
• Transport aircraft
• Trainer aircraft
• Helicopters
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Missile systems
Multi-role fighters and strike aircraft
1. Dassault Rafale:- is a French twin-engine, canard delt wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed
and built by Dassaul Aviation. Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended
to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth
strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. The Rafale is referred to as an
"omnirole" aircraft by Dassault.

HIGHLIGHTS

● Twin-engine jet
● Range- 3700 Km
● Missiles equipped-: Meteor missile,
MICA missile, SCALP missile
● Carry out several missions in one
sortie
2. Sukhoi Su-30MKI: is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi and built
under license by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). First aircraft
came in service in 2004.
HIGHLIGHTS
● Heavy weight aircraft with two
dimensional thrust vectoring system
● Long range fighter
● Missile integrated- Brahmos, Astra
● Powerful radar system

3. Mikoyan MiG-29: is a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. There are 69 MiG-29s
in service, all of which have been recently upgraded to the MiG-29UPG standard. It is a ground attack fighter
plane. They played major role in 1999 Kargil war.
4. Dassault Mirage 2000: the Mirage 2000, known as Vajra (Sanskrit for diamond or thunderbolt) in
Indian service. The IAF currently operates 49 Mirage 2000Hs and 8 Mirage 2000 TH all of which are
currently being upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 MK2 standard with Indian specific modifications and
2 Mirage 2000-5 MK2 are in service as of March 2015. The IAF's Mirage 2000 are scheduled to be
phased out by 2030.

Mirage 2000 HAL Tejas

5. HAL Tejas:- The HAL Tejas is an Indian multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical
Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC)
of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. It came from the
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-
21 fighters. In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas". It is the smallest and lightest in its class of
contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.
6. SEPECAT Jaguar:- he Jaguar, known as the Shamsher, serves as the IAF's primary ground attack force.
The IAF currently operates 139 Jaguars.

Jaguar MiG-21

7. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21:- is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft, designed by

the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. Nicknamed as the Flying Casket.
Airborne early warning and control system
• The IAF is currently training crews in the operation of indigenously developed DRDO AEW&CS,
conducting the training on Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft. The IAF also operates the EL/W-
2090 Phalcon AEW&CS incorporated in a Beriev A-50 platform. A total of three such systems are
currently in service, with two further potential orders. India is also going ahead with Project India,
an in-house AWACS program to develop and deliver six Phalcon-class AWACS, based on DRDO
work on the smaller AEW&CS.
 Aerial refuelling and Transport
• IL78 is a Soviet four-engined aerial refueling tanker based on the Il-76 strategic airlifter. The Il-78
tanker was developed and designed in the Ilyushin Aviation Complex in Russia. The main reason
behind its development was an expansion of the transferable fuel load of an earlier version of
tanker, the Il-76
• C-17 Globemaster is a strategic transport aircraft, able to airlift cargo close to a battle area. it is
developed by USA. Maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms)

Il-78 C-17 Globemaster

Trainer aircraft
HAL HPT-32 Deepak:

● India's indigenous is used for initial pilot training and

other utility tasks.
● The Deepak was developed by HAL for the IAF to replace
the tandem two-seat HT-2 basic trainer and
● Undertake a range of other utility roles like armed patrol,
observation, liaison work, supply dropping, SAR, recon,
glider, target towing, and even for weapon training and
light strike.

HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2

● It is an Indian two-seat intermediate jet trainer built by

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
● Used by the Indian Air Force for intermediate training
for pilots trained on the HPT-32 Deepak
● It is also operated by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team
(SKAT) of the IAFs IAF's basic flight training aircraft for
cadets.
Display Teams:
SURYA KIRAN
● Surya Kiran is an aerobatics demonstration team of
the Indian Air Force.
● The name Surya Kiran means ray of light.
● The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) was formed in
1996 and are a part of the 52nd Squadron of the IAF.
● The team has since performed numerous
demonstrations usually with nine aircraft.
● The squadron was composed of the HAL HJT-16 Kiran
Mk.2.

SARANG
● It is the Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air
Force.
● The name Sarang is symbolic; the peacock is the
national bird of India.
● The team was formed in October 2003.
● It includes four modified HAL Dhruv helicopters, also
known as Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
Helicopters

HAL Dhruv:- Light utility HAL Cheetah:- Light utility

attack Helicopter helicopter used for high altitude
operations Mil Mi-17:- medium lift
strategic and utility roles

Boeing AH-64E Apache

attack helicopter
 FIGHTER AIRCRAFTS HELICOPTERS OTHER AIRCRAFTS

Aircraft Origin Type Aircraft Origin Type Aircraft Origin Type

Dassault Rafale France Multirole
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia Multirole HAL Light Combat India Attack Ilyushin Il-78 Soviet Union Aerial
HAL Tejas India Multirole Helicopter refueling
MiG-29 Russia Multirole Boeing AH-64 Apache United States Attack
Boeing C-17 United States Strategic
Mirage 2000 France Multirole Mil Mi-24 Russia Attack airlifter
SEPECAT United Ground HAL Rudra India Armed
Jaguar Kingdom attack CH-47 Chinook United States Heavy transport Ilyushin Il-76 Soviet Union Strategic
MiG-21 Soviet Union Interceptor
Mil Mi-26 Russia Heavy transport airlifter
Mil Mi-17 Russia Utility transport
HAL Dhruv India Utility HAL Kiran India Intermediate
HAL Light Utility Helicopter India Utility Trainer
BAE Hawk United Advanced
HAL Chetak France / India Light utility
Kingdom jet trainer
HAL Cheetah France / India Light utility

EMB-145 Brazil AEW&C

Beriev A-50 Soviet Union AEW&C

HAL Tejas India Conversion

trainer
 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

IAI Searcher is a The IAI Heron (Machatz-1) is

Lakshya is an Indian remotely
reconnaissance UAV developed a medium-altitude long-
piloted high speed target
in Israel endurance (UAV) developed by
drone system developed by
the Malat (UAV) division
the Aeronautical Development
of Israel Aerospace Industries
Establishment(ADE) of DRDO
 Missile systems
INDIAN
TYPE OF MISSILE ORIGIN
MISSILE
Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile India, Russia
Prahaar Cruise Missile India
Prithvi series SRBM (Short Range Ballistic Missile), S-S India
Shaurya MRBM (Medium Range Ballistic Missile) India
Nirbhay Cruise Missile India
Agni Series Medium & long range Ballistic Missile, S-S India

Akash Surface to air – short range India

Trishul Surface to air – medium range India
Astra Air to air – beyond visual range India
Nag Surface to surface, Air to surface India

Barack 1 SRSAM (short-range surface to air missile) India, Israel

Barack 8 LRSAM (Long-range surface to air missile) India, Israel
Future and Current Projects:
• To deal with the depletion of force levels, the IAF has started to modernize its fleet.
• This includes both the upgrade of existing aircraft, equipment and infrastructure as well as
induction of new aircraft and equipment, both indigenous and imported. As new aircraft enter
service and numbers recover, the IAF plans to have a fleet of 42 squadrons.
• HAL is also close to develop its own fifth generation fighter aircraft HAL AMCA.
• DRDO has entered in a joint venture with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop the Barak 8 SAM.
• Akash-NG is also being developed by DRDO which will be the same range of Barak 8.
• DRDO is developing the air-launched version of the BrahMos cruise missile in a joint venture with
Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia. DRDO has now successfully developed the nuclear capable Nirbhay cruise
missile.
• DRDO and HAL has also engaged in the unmanned combat system.
• Recent acquisition of S-400 launchers from Russia.
 RECENT DEALS OF IAF (FIGHTER AIRCRAFT)

1. HAL Tejas Mark 1A-

● Manufacturer - HAL
● 40 aircraft of Mark 1 variant which will be delivered by 2022.
● Ministry of Defense Signed the contract with HAL for the
procurement of 83 advanced Tejas which includes 73 Mark 1A
and 10 Mark 1 trainer variant.
● Technical aspect - Has advanced AESA Radar, Jammers,
superior avionics, next-gen BVR missiles, better payload, and
enhanced combat range
Indian multirole LCA

1. Dassault Rafale
● Manufacturer - Dassault Aviation , FRANCE
● Deal signed in 2015, deal locked in 2016 after price
negotiations, contract signed for 36 Rafale aircraft.
● Current - 1st Rafale delivered in 2019, 9 in 2020, all to be
delivered by end of 2021.
● India has also made a deal with France to buy Hammer
missiles to use with Rafale
● Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial French twin engine, canard delta wing,
reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and multirole fighter aircraft.
nuclear deterrence missions.
 RECENT DEALS OF IAF (TRANSPORTS)

1. Airbus C295
● Manufacturer - Jointly executed by Airbus Defence and Space
(Germany) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)
● Airbus will supply the first 16 aircraft in flyaway condition while the
remaining 40 will be assembled in India by TASL
● C-295s are meant to replace the Avro-748 transport planes
● Current At financial approval stage, contract to be signed in near
future.

Military Transport aircraft

 RECENT DEALS OF IAF (HELICOPTERS)

1. HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter)

● Manufacturer - Indigenously developed by HAL.
● Order placed by Indian Air Force (65 units) & by Indian Army (114).
● It is a multirole attack helicopter.
● Has suitable armed rotorcraft capable of operating unrestricted in
the high-altitude theatre. Attack Helicopter

2. HAL Rudra (ALH WSI)

● Manufacturer ~ HAL
● Variant of Dhruv (ALH) MK-4
● Equipped with Forward looking infrared (FLIR) & Thermal imaging
sights interference, anti tank guided missiles, air to air missiles.
● Indian Air Force has placed an order for 38Rudra helicopters.
V/STOL Military transport aircraft

3. Bell Boeing 22 Osprey

● Manufacturer ~ Bell Boeing Helicopter Boeing Defense ,
Space & Security
● The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission,
tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing

Armed Helicopter
 RECENT DEALS OF IAF (HELICOPTERS)

1. HAL Dhruv
● Manufacturer - Indigenously developed by HAL.
● Order placed by Indian Air Force (65 units) & by Indian Army (114).
● It is a utility aircraft

Utility Helicopter
2. Kamov Ka 226T (Russia)
● Manufacturer ~ Russian company to be made under Make in
India project.
● Kamov is a small, twin-engine Russian utility helicopter with
interchangeable mission pod
● Kamov Ka 226T was selected as a Light Utility Helicopter and an
initial replacement for Chetak & Cheetah, in 2014.
● Kamov to set up a production plant in India and around 197 would
be procured under the "Make in India" programme.
● The agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India is
the first project for a major defence platform under the Make In
India mission.
Light Utility Helicopter
 HAL
TEJAS
Mk2

HAL AMCA

DRDO AKASH
Thank you.