| The
Indian Air Force Today There are five operational
air commands, the Western Air Command with headquarters in Delhi being the prime one and |
MIG-29
|
responsible for air operations from Kashmir
southwards to Rajasthan and including the capital and the Punjab, with an Operations Group
dedicated for Jammu & Kashmir including Ladakh. Central Air Command based at
Allahabad, encompasses most of the Indo-Gangetic plain while Eastern Air Command, from
Shillong, is responsible for Bengal, Assam, the eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Mizoram and the others bordering area on Tibet, Bangladesh and Burma.
 Mirage 2000 |
South Western Air Command, at Jodhpur, is
responsible for air operations in most of Rajasthan, southwards through Gujrarat to
Saurashtra and the Kutch area. Southern Air Command was formed in July 1984 with |
headquarters at Trivandrum and has, geographically,
the largest territory, from the Deccan plateau area to the southern tip of the peninsula
and including the island territories of Lakshwadeep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Training Command has its headquarters at Bangalore, with the majority of flying and ground
training establishments located in Southern India. Maintenance Command operates from
Nagpur in Central India. The five Operational Commands through administrative
Wings, control some 45 fixed-wing squadrons, 20 helicopter units and numerous surface -to-
air missile squadrons, with unit establishments varying from 12 to 18 aircraft. This
represents a total aircraft strength of nearly 1,700 including training and support types,
manned by some 120,000 personnel.
| The Indian Air Force is today the world's fourth largest,
well-equipped and professionally trained, smartly efficient and with an elan second to
none. |
 JAGUAR |
Helicopters
The IAF's helicopter fleet has steadily increased
in numbers over the past twenty years, blossoming from a handful of U.S. types in the '60s
to over 500 French, Indian and Soviet built types. The pride of the force is, undoubtedly,
the Mi 26 heavy lift helicopter which has been operated by No. 126 H.U. with outstanding
results in the mountains of Northern India. The bulk of rotorcraft are Mi 17s and Mi 8s,
well over one hundred of these types serving in Helicopter Units throughout the country,
playing a vital logistic support role. Mi 8s are operated for commando assault tasks, for
ferrying supplies and personnel to remote mountain helipads and jungle clearings, carrying
out SAR (Search and Research Operations) and logistic support tasks in the island
territories, employed with the Indian permanent station in the Antarctica and so on.
The smaller Alouette 111, renamed Chetak, is as ubiquitous,
being employed for casevac(Casualty Evacuation), communi- cations and liaison duties
with the IAF having received over 150 examples of this versatile rotorcraft.
In 1986, however, the Government of India formally
constituted the Army's Aviation Corps and most Chetak and Cheetahs operating in AOP
Squadrons were transferred from the Air Force on 1st November 1986. The Air Force
continues to fly armed Chetaks in the anti-tank role as well as for CASEVAC and general
duties while the lighter Cheetah is operated by (FAC) flights.
In May 1984, No. 125 Helicopter Unit was formed with the
formidable Mi-25 gunship helicopter, used to much effect in Sri Lanka. The upgraded
Mi 35 has followed in April 1990, with No. 104 HU being reequipped with the type. Future
requirements for armed helicopters are planned to be met by the indigenous Advanced Light
Helicopter (ALH) currently under development by HAL at Bangalore.
Trainer
The IAF replaced its HT 2 primary trainers with the
HPT32 (Deepak), the new piston engined trainer being utilised at the Basic Flying Training
School at Allahabad since January 1988 and at Air Force Academy at Dundigal. Flight cadets
then proceed to the Air Force Academy, Dundigal for instruction on the HJT 16
Kiran, first on the Mk. I/IA and then on the armed Mk II version or the Polish origin
Iskra, for tactical flying. After commissioning, pilots are streamed to various conversion
units, depending on their selection and proficiency. Future fighter pilots are sent to
operational conversion units (now known as the MOFTU or MIG Operational Flying
Training Unit) where operational and tactical flyng is conducted on MIG 21
Thus are born the IAF's leaders and
even future spacemen, like Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma, India's first cosmonaut who participated
in a joint space flight with the Soviets in 1984.
Details
of aircrafts
|
MiG-29 Country of origin : USSR
Type : Air superiority fighter
Powerplant : Two Tumansky RD-33 turbofans of 8300 kg (18,300 lb.st)reheat
thrust each.
Armament : One 30mm cannon plus four R.60 close-combat and two R.27R
medium-range radar-guided missiles.
Max. take off wt : 18000 kg (39,683 lb)
Max. speed : 2445 km/hr (1518 mph) at 11,000m (36,100 ft) or Mach = 2.3
Initial climb rate : 330m/sec (64,960 ft/min)
Service ceiling : 17,000m (55,775 ft) |
| Dassault-Breguet Mirage-2000H Country of Origin : France
Type : Air defence and multi-role fighter.
Powerplant : One SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan of of 9700 kg
reheat thrust.
Armament: Two 30mm DEFA 554 cannon and two Matra Super 530D medium-range
plus two R. 550 Magic II close combat missiles; upto 6000 kg (13225 lb) of external
ordanance.
Max. take off wt : 16,650 kg.
Max speed : 2495 Km per hour.
Max climb rate : 249 m/sec
Combat radius : 700 km |
|
|
Sepecat Jaguar International Country of origin : UK-Frane
Type : Strike fighter
Powerplant : Two Rolls-Royce\Torbomeca Adour Mk. 811 each of 37.4 kn
(8400 lb.st) with afterburning
Armament : Two 30 mm Aden cannon plus two R.550 Magic CCMs (overwing),
maximum external stores load of 4750 kg
Max. take off wt : 15,700 Kg
Max level Speed : 1350 km per hour
Typical attack radius, with external fuel : 908 km. |
| MiG-27ML Country of origin : USSR
Type : Tactical strike fighter
Powerplant : One Tumansky R-29-300 turbojet of 11,500 kg with reheat
Armament : One 23mm six-barrel rotary cannon and upto 4000 kg.
Max take off wt. : 18,000 kg.
Max speed : 1700 km per hour
Combat radius : 390 km. |
 |
 |
Sukhoi Su - 30 Country of origin : USSR
Type : Twin cockpit Multirole Fighter
Powerplant :2 x AL-31F
Armament : One 30mm GSH-301 gun with 150 rounds; external stations for
more than 8000 of stores, including bombs upto 500 kg each; unguided rockets of various
calibers; up to medium range air-to-air missiles with active or semi-active radar homing;
up to two IR homing medium-range and six IR homing close range air-to-air missile.
Max. take off wt :34,000Kgs
Max.level speed:M2.35(2500 kmph)
Combat Range With internal fuel :1620 nautical miles (3000 Kms)
Take off Run : 550 mts Landing Run :
670 mts
|
 |
MiG-25 Country of origin : USSR
Type : Strategic reconnaissance aircraft.
Powerplant : Two Tumansky R-31 turbojets each of 107.9 kn with
after burning.
Equipment : Optical sensors and SLAR (Side Locking Aperture Radar).
Max level speed : Mach = 3.2 at height.
Service ceiling : 24,400 m. |
| MiG-23MF Country of origin : USSR
Type : Air superiority fighter
Powerplant : One Tumansky R-29B of 11500 reheat thrust
Armament : One 23mm twin barrel GSh-23L cannon and two R-23R/T medium
range plus two R-60 close combat missiles.
Max take Off wt. : 20,100
Max speed : 2446 km per hour
Combat radius : 850 km |
 |
 |
MiG-21bis Country of origin : USSR
Type :Multi role fighter/ground attack aircraft
Powerplant : One Tumansky R-25 turbojet of 7500 kg with reheat
Armament : Twin barrel 23mm GSh-23 cannon plus four R.60 close combat
missiles.
Max. take off wt : 8745 Kg
Max speed : 2230 km per hour
Combat radius : 547 km |
| BA-Hawker Hunter F.56A Country of origin : UK
Type : Fighter ground attack aircraft (Now used for target towing)
Powerplant : One Rolls Royce Avon 207 turbojet of 4562 kg
Armament : Four 30 Aden cannon with 150 rpg; two 1000 lb bombs or
four 1001 Imp. gallon napalm tanks or 68mm rocket pods.
Max take off wt : 8060 kg
Max Speed : 1009 km per hour
Service ceiling : 15,700m |
 |
 |
BAe/English Electric Canberra
B(I) 58. Country of origin : UK
Type : Tactical bomber and interdictor
Powerplant : Two Rolls Royce Avon 109 turbojets ech of 3357 kg
Armament : 4 X 20mm Hispano cannon or 3 X 1000 lb bombs internally plus 2
X 1000 lb underwing or (Bomber) 8000 lb bombload internally & underwing.
Max take off wt : 25,540 kg
Max speed : 933 km per hour
Max range : 1287 km |
 |
ILLUSHIN IL-76 MD Country of origin : USSR
Type : Heavy duty/long haul military transport
Powerplant : Four Soloviev D-30KP 1 turbofans of 12,000 kg each
Capacity : 225 paratroopers or 40 tonnes freight, wheeled or tracked
armoured vehicles etc.
Armament : Twin 23mm cannon in tail turret.
Max take off wt : 170,000 kg
Max cruise speed : 850 km per hour
Max Range (with reserves) : 6500 km |
 |
Antonov AN-32 Country of origin : USSR
Type : Medium tactical transport
Powerplant : Two Ivchenko AI-20M turboprops of 4195 ehp each.
Capacity : Crew of 5 plus 39 paratroopers on tip-up seats; maximum of 6.7
tonnes payload
Max take off wt : 27,000 kg
Max cruise speed : 530 km
Max Range : 2500 km |
| HAL-Dornier 228-201 Country of origin : Germany
Type : Logistic air support; staff transport
Powerplant : Two Garrett TPE-331-5-252D turboprops of 715 shp each
Capacity : 19 passengers or 2057 kg freight.
Max. take off wt : 5980 kg
Max cruise speed : 428 km per hour
Max Range : 1112 km |
 |
 |
HAL/BAe (Avro) 748M Country of origin : UK
Type : Military transport and freighter
Powerplant : Two Rolls Royce Dart RDa7Mk. 532-2L turboprops of 1700 KW
each
Capacity : Upto 48 paratroops or 6 tonnes freight
Max take off wt : 21,092 kg
Max cruise speed : 452 km per hour
Max Range : 1778 km |
| Boeing 737-200 Country of origin : USA
Type : VIP passenger transport
Powerplant : Two pratt & Whitney JT8D-17A turbofans of 71.2 KN
each.
Capacity : VIP/Executive cabins, total seating for upto 60 passnegers.
Max take off wt : 53,070 kg
Max cruise speed : 943 km per hour
Max range : 4262 km |
 |
 |
MiL Mi-26 Country of origin : USSR
Thype : Military heavy lift helicopter
Powerplant : Two Lotarev D-136 turboshafts of 11,240 shp each
Capacity : 70 combat equipped troops or 20,000 kg payload.
Max take off wt : 56,000 kg
Max speed : 295 km per hour
Hovering ceiling : 4500 m
Max range : 800 km |
| MiL Mi-25 Country of origin : USSR
Type : Assault and anti armour helicopter
Powerplant : Two Isotov TV3-117 turboshafts of 2200 shp each
Capacity : Eight man assault squad.
Armament : Four barrel 12.7 mm rotary gun in nose barbette and upto 1500
kg of external ordnance including Scorpion anti-tank missiles
Max takee off wt : 11,000 kg
Max cruise speed : 310 km per hour
Max range : 750 km |
 |
 |
MiL Mi-17 Country of origin : USSR
Type : Medium transport helicopter
Powerplant : Two Isotov TV3-117 7MT turboshafts of 1900 shp each
Capacity : 24 troops or upto 3.3 tonnes of freight
Armament : Six UV-17 57mm rocket pods.
Max take off wt : 13,000 kg
Max cruise speed : 240 km per hour
Max Range : 950 km |
| HAL/Aerospatiale Alouette III
(Chetak) Country of origin : France
Type : Light utility helicopter
Powerplant : One Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft of 870 shp
Capacity : Upto six passengers or 500 kg load.
Armament (anti-tank version): Four AS-11 wire guided missiles
Max take off wt : 2250 kg
Max speed : 220 km per hour
Hovering ceiling : 1750 km
|
 |
 |
HAL/Aerospatiale SA 315B Lama
(Cheetah) Country of origin : Frane
Type : FAC/Casevac helicopter
Powerplant : One Turbomeca Art IIIB turboshaft of 870 shp
Capacity : 3 passengers or external sling loads of 1000 kg
Max take off wt : 2200 kg
Max cruise speed : 121 kms her hour
Rate of climb (S/L) :250m/min
Hovering ceiling : 2400 m
|
Aircraft Types Operated by the Indian Air Force
(1932-1991)
| Type: |
Service Period |
| Westland WapitiILA |
1933-42 |
| Hawker Hart |
1939-40 |
| De Havilland D.H. 82A Tiger
Moth |
1939-57 |
| De Havilland D.H. 89 Dragon Rapide |
1941-44 |
| Armstrong Whitworth A.W. 15 Atalanta |
1941-42 |
| Hawker Audax |
1941-45 |
| Bristol Blenheim Mk. 1 |
1941-42 |
| Westland Lysander Mk. I1 |
1941-43 |
| North American T-6G Texan Harvard |
1942-75 |
| Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB/IIC |
1942-45 |
| Vultee Vengeance Mk 1/III |
1942-44 |
| VickersValentia Avro Anson 1942-45 HAL/MS
748 |
1942-44 |
| De Havilland D.H. 85 Leopard Moth |
1942-43 |
| De Havilland D.H. 94 Minor Moth |
1942-43 |
| Fairchild PT-26 Cornell |
1943-46 |
| Hawker Hurricane Mk X11 |
1943-45 |
| Hawker Hurricane MklV SukhoiSu-7BM l: |
1944-45 |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk V111 |
1944-48 |
| Boulton Paul Defiant TT Mk Ill Mil Mi-8 |
1944-45 |
| Fairey Battle |
1944-45 |
| Auster AOP41511619 |
1945-70 |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV |
1945-50 |
| Hawker Tempest Mk 11 |
1946-53 |
| Douglas C-47 Dakota |
1946-88 |
| Airspeed Oxford SepecatJaguar S/B |
1947-49 |
| Percival Prentice T Mk 3 |
1948-59 |
| Consolidated Vultee B-24 Liberator Boeing
737 |
1948-68 |
| De Havilland Vampire FB Mk 52 |
1948-72 |
| De Havilland Devon C Mk 1 MiG-25R/bT |
1950-88 |
| Supermarine Spitfire MkXVI11 |
1951-57 |
| HAL HT-2 Mil Mi-25 |
1953-88 |
| De Havilland Vampire NFMk. 54 |
1953-66 |
| De Havilland Vampire TMk. 55
11yushinll-76MD |
1953-75 |
| Dassault Ouragan (Toofani) |
1953-67 |
| Fairchild C-1 19GL Packet MiG-27M |
1953-86 |
| Sikorsky S-55 |
1954-66 |
| Super Aero AE 45.5 1955-57 MiG-29B I rB |
|
| llyushin 11:14 1955-77 |
|
| De Havilland DHC-3 Otter 1956-91 HAL HJT-
16 Kiran Mk. II |
|
| Vickers Viscount |
1956-67 |
| Bell Model 47G Mil Mi-35 |
1957-72 |
| Dassault Mystere IVA |
1957-73 |
| English Electric Canberra B (1) Mk 58
B.Mk.66,B.Mk. 12, PR. Mk.57, PR.Mk.67, T.Mk.54 |
1957- |
| Hawker Hunter F Mk.56.F Mk 56 A,T Mk. 66,
T Mk. 66D |
1957- |
| HAL/Folland Gnat Mk 1 |
1958-78 |
| Sikorsky S-62B |
1960-64 |
| Mil Mi-4 |
1960-81 |
| Antonov An-12 B |
1961- |
| Lockheed Super Constellation |
1961-84 |
| Aerospatiale HAL Alouette III (Chetak) |
1962- |
| DHC-4 Caribou |
1963-87 |
| MiG-21 F-13 |
1963-68 |
| HAL/HS 748 |
1964- |
| HAL HF-24 Marut Mk.1,IT |
1964-83 |
| HAL HAOP-27 Krishak |
1965-77 |
| MiG-21 FL/U |
1966- |
| TupolevTu-124 |
1966-81 |
| SukhoiSu-7BM l: |
1968-86 |
| HAL HJT- 16 Kiran Mk l/IA |
1968- |
| Mil Mi-8 |
1971- |
| Aerospatiale/HAL Cheetah |
1973- |
| MiG-2 1 MF/M |
1973- |
| TS-11 Iskra |
1975- |
| HAL Ajeet (Gnat Mk.II ) |
1977-91 |
| MiG-21bis |
1977- |
| SepecatJaguar S/B |
1979- |
| MiG-23BNllJM |
1981- |
| Boeing 737 |
1981- |
| MiG-23MF |
1982- |
| MiG-25R/bT |
1982- |
| AntonovAn-32 |
1984- |
| Mil Mi-25 |
1984- |
| MilMi-17 |
1985- |
| 11yushinll-76MD |
1985- |
| Dassault Mirage 2000H |
1985- |
| MiG-27M |
1984- |
| Mil Mi-26 |
1986- |
| MiG-29B/UB |
1987- |
| HAL HPT-32 |
1988- |
| HAL HJT- 16 Kiran Mk. II |
1988- |
| HAL Dornier 228-201 |
1988- |
| Mil Mi-35 |
1990- |
|
|
