Military Aircrafts and Fighter

Planes of Indian
Air Force
Military aircrafts and Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force can be divided into
three categories as per their role Fighter Planes, Transportation Aircrafts,
Training Aircrafts and Helicopters. These aircrafts are used not only during
wars and combats but also during humanitarian, civilian, training, search
and rescue operations. The terminology of fighter planes often
use Generation, viz first generation, second generation etc. The first
generation technology uses rotary piston type propeller engines. The
second generation fighters replaced piston engines with turbo-prop
engines.equipped with traditional ammunition. The third generation
included single/double turbo-jet engines along with advanced avionics and
BVR guided missiles. The 4 and 4.5 generations jets are ones with
hypersonic speeds, advanced avionics, multiple sensors, radars nd much
better control systems. The latest of the trend 5th generation includes
stealth characteristics to the fighter jets. The list below explains about
Military aircrafts and different fighter planes of Indian Air Force.
Air Superiority type Fighter Planes of Indian Air
Force
Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force : MIG
21
 * MIG 21

Original Manufacturer Mikoyan Gurevich, Russia

Technology Supersonic, 2nd generation, single engine
Built by Partly from Russia, remaining by HAL under license
Year of Induction to IAF 1962
Status Decommissioned in 2013
MIG 21 is the first supersonic fighter plane of India which was
introduced as fleet of 8 planes in Indian Air Force in year 1962. MIG 21
has a glorious past and it is still used by more than 60 nations
throughout the globe even after 50 years of its maiden flight. An
estimated 11,496 MIG 21 fighter planes have been built by so far which
gives it the honour of maximum produced fighter plane of world.

Since MIG 21 was just inducted to Indian Army in 1962 and training of
the pilots were not completed till the war of 1965, these fighter planes
of India couldnt be utilized to maximum potential in Indias 1965 War
with Pakistan. These aircrafts were mainly used in defensive lines
during 1965. But this taught a remarkable experience to Indian pilots.
MIG 21 fighters under hands of fully matured pilots displayed
formidable combat and a pure class of complete air dominance during
liberation of East Pakistan (Bangladesh) war of 1971.
Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force :
Dassault Mirage 2000

* Dassault Mirage 2000

Original Manufacturer Dassault Aviation, France

Technology Single engine, fourth generation
Built by Dassault Aviation, France
Year of Induction to IAF 1980
Status in service
Indian Name Vajra
India purchased 49 Mirage 2000 from France in year 1980 and
renamed it as Vajra before induction in Indian Air Force. It was
upgraded by Dassault in 1985 and nuclear warhead carrying
capability was added. Mirage 2000 played a remarkable role in
the high altitudes of Kashmir during Kargil war with pakistan in
1999. Although the role of Indian Air Force during Kargil was
limited as the government of India didnt wanted to cross the LOC,
still Mirage 2000 fighter planes made more than 500 shorties and
used both traditional as well as laser guided bombs to destroy the
enemy bunkers. Again a new contract was signed with Dassault,
France for upgradation of entire fleet of 49 fighter planes in year
2011. The upgraded fighter jets are to be equipped with new
avionics system and MICS missiles. Very recently a new
achievement was made by Indian Air Force when they test-landed
one of Mirage 2000 to Yamuna Expressway near Delhi as trial for
emergency landing on roads.
Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force : MIG
29

* MIG 29 getting refuelled mid-air

Original Manufacturer Mikoyan Gurevich, Russia

Built by Mikoyan, Russia
Year of Induction to IAF 1985
Status in service
Units in service 69
Indian Name Baaz
This twin engine based fighter jet was originally designed in
1970s by Mikoyan Design Bureau, Russia to counter the American
F 15 and F16 fighter planes. MIG 29 was renamed
as BAAZ before induction in Indian Air Force in 1985. This has
three different variants MIG 29 M, MIG 29 K and MIG 35. 29M is
multiple role version while 29K is naval version. MIG 35 is the
most advanced variant which has latest avionics and sensor and
even the capability of mid air refuelling. Indian Air Force is the
most prominent users of this fighter jet. After procurement of MIG
29 fighter planes from Russia in 1980, a number of different
upgrades to boost the capability of this aircraft was carried out.
The most important upgrades were air to air missile, beyond
visual range, mid air refuelling and advanced avionics from Israel.
MIG 29 fighter planes were used by India during Kargil war of
1999 for close air supports in general and escorting Mirage 2000
in particular.
Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force :
Sukhoi Su 30

* Sukhoi Su 30

Original Manufacturer Sukhoi, Russia

Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, under
license
Year of Induction to IAF 2002
Status in service
Units in service 220
Sukhoi SU30 technology is originally from Russia which is
built under license by HAL, India. This fighter plane is the
heavy combat air superiority type and considered as the
backbone of Indian Air Force. 220 units of Sukhoi Su-30 are
in service by 2014 end and additional 280 are in queue which
are expected to be produced by 2018. This fighter jet depicts
the pure class of advanced Russian technology which is
equipped with mighty French and Israeli Avionics. In the first
deal with Russia in 1996 India purchased preassembled 50
Sukhoi Su-30 Fighter planes. The second deal of year 2000
consists of technology transfer and licensed production of
nearly 150 units at HAL, India. The original version of Sukhoi
Su-30 fighters werent meant for carrying nuclear
ammunitions but it was later proposed to carry out
upgradation to carry Brahmos and Nirbhay Nuclear missiles.

Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force : LCA

Tejas

Tejas during trial run at Leh

Original Manufacturer HAL, India

 Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Year of Induction to IAF 2015
Status in service
The Light Combat Aircraft which is designed
endogenously by HAL was named as Tejas by Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This is a single jet engine
type, supersonic, light multi role fighter aircraft which
took its maiden flight on 4th Jan 2001. The program of
Indias own developed fighter plane started way back in
year 1980 for the purpose to phase out the ageing MIG
21 fighter jets. This is important to note that (as against
the popular belief that LCA- Tejas is first own Fighter plane
of HAL) LCA- Tejas is the HALs second indigenous fighter
plane while first indigenous plane was HF-24 Marut which
was de-commissioned from Indian Air Force in 1985.
Major Ground Attack Fighter Planes of India
Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force :
Jaguar
 Jaguar

Original Manufacturer SEPECAT, Joint venture of

France and England
Built by partly at Warton, England and
remaining at HAL, India under License.
Year of Induction to IAF 2015
Status in service
Indian Name Shamsher
Jaguar fighter planes were produced originally as result of
Joint venture between England and France. It is basically
a ground attach fighter plane which was used by both
British and French Air Forces. India placed the order for
Jaguar flighter planes in 1978 which consisted of 1) fleet
of 40 assembled units from Europe and 2) fleet of 120 to
be built at HAL, India with License and technology
transfer. The jaguar fighters which were built in HAL were
renamed as Shamsher. There are plans for upgradation
of the ageing out Jaguar fighters to replace the Avionics.
Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force : MIG
27
 MIG 27

Original Manufacturer Mikoyan- Gurevich,

Russia
Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, under
License
Year of Induction to IAF
Status all 165 units grounded
Indian Name Bahadur
The MIG 27 is based on the same airframe structure as
that of MIG 23. It is also a ground attack type of aircraft
which was produced by HAL under license alongwith
technology transfer. MIG 27 was renamed as Bahadur
before getting inducted in Indian Air Force. A number of
MIG 27 fighter planes (about 12) were crashed. All fleet of
150 fighters were grounded in 2010 after the crashe of
Silliguri. The entire fleet is shortly going to be de-
commissioned in 2017.
Important Transportation Aircrafts
Hawker HS 748
Original Manufacturer Joint Venture of Avro and
Hawker Siddeley, England
Technology twin engines, turbo-propeller type
Built in India by HAL, under license
Units 89 units of HS 748 and 20 units of HS 748 2M
series built by HAL, Bangalore
Year of Induction to IAF under name Vayu-dut in
Indian Air Force and also in Indian Airlines
Use Both Indian Air Force and Indian Air lines for
transport purpose
Present Status decommissioned

Dornier Do 228
 Dornier Do 228

Original Manufacturer Dornier Flugzeugwerke

Technology twin engine, turbo-propeller type,
multi-utility
Built in India by HAL, under license
Units 125
Year of Induction 1983
Use Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Govt operations,
VIPs, Para-military Forces etc
Present Status under active service
Ilyushin IL-78

Ilushin IL 78

Manufacturer Ilushin, Russia

Technology ability to refuel 3 fighter jets at a
time
Use Mid-air refueling Tanker (In Indian Air Force
it is renamed as MARS Mid Air refueling system)
No of Units 7
Present Status in active service
C17 Globemaster

*The Giant C17 Globemaster

Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas-Boeing,

US
Year of Induction to IAF 2013
Status 10 units in active service
This military transport aircraft was originally built
by Boeing and McDonnell Douglas togather for US
Air Force. This is primarly meant for rapid airlifting
and transporting troops, cargo, equipments and
warfare materials, tanks etc. In year 2010 India
passed the order of 10 C17 Globemaster for its Air
Force and the shipment was received from a period
of 2013-2014. Additional 6 more units were also
ordered in 2012 and that delivery is in pipeline. As
a part of test Indian Air Force landed successfully
the Globemaster near Dharmshala airport,
Himachal Pradesh in year 2010.

C 130J Super Hercules

C 130J landing in Laddakh

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin, US

Year of Induction to IAF 2013
Status 5 units in active service
This heavy duty transport aircraft was originally built by
Lockheed Martin, United States. It is used basically for not
only military transport but for civilian and other related
humanitarian rescue operations. It is not a jet based engine
rather four turbo-prop engines. Presently (upto 2015) 5 units
of C 130J are in active service in India and in addition to that
12 additional units have been ordered in 2013. Recently
Indian Air Force displayed its military might and trial-landed C
130J Super Hercules in Laddakh. This landing is the highest
ever landing of C 130J in world and is considered as the trial
for transporting and airlifting its troops in remote areas in
times of urgency.

Some other important Transportation and Special Operations

Aircrafts include Illyushin II-78 (Russia), Antonov An32
(Russia), Gulfstream III (US), A50 Phalcon (Russia), IAI Astra
(from Israel) and Bombardier 5000 (Canada).

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* The images shown may not necessarily represent the
fighter jets of Indian Air Force but it may be of original
manufacturer or some Air Force of some different
countries.