Air Force Station: Definition, Duties, Units & How They Operate in India

Air Force Station is a crucial military airbase operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) across India. More than 60 air force stations as of 2025 are present across various cities in India. These stations, grouped under seven commands like Western, Eastern, and Training Commands, support combat operations, training, logistics, and air defense. 

Air Force Station ensures national security through strategic placements near borders and high-altitude regions. Hindon in Uttar Pradesh is Asia’s largest air base. Ambala in Haryana hosts advanced aircraft like Rafale fighters and Su-30MKI squadrons are a few air force stations in India. 

List of Air Force Stations in India

India has multiple Air Force Stations spread across strategic locations to support defence, logistics, training, and air operations. Below is a comprehensive list of major Air Force Stations in India, highlighting details of local and notable aircraft:

Top 10 Air Force Stations in India

India’s top Air Force Stations play a crucial role in strengthening national security, rapid response, and strategic air operations. These bases host advanced fighter jets, transport aircraft, training units, radar systems, and elite operational commands. 

Spread across key geographic zones, each station supports combat readiness, logistics, and humanitarian missions. Here is the list of the top 10 air force stations in India with details of important aspects:

1. Hindon Air Force Station

Hindon Air Force Station, near Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, is Asia's largest IAF base and a key transport hub hosting C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Air Force Station Ghaziabad was established in 1965 from a planned civil airport site. It supports strategic airlift, Garud training, and NCR civilian flights via its dual-use runway.

Here are some key aspects of the Hindon Air Force Station:

• Location: Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

• History: Established post-1947; hosted MiG-23/27 squadrons; No. 7 Squadron with Hunters post-1965 war; active in 1971 ops.

• Strategic importance: Central logistics hub for troop/equipment deployment nationwide.

• Base Details: Hosts C-17 Globemaster, C-130J; Garud Commando training site.

• Units stationed (wings, squadrons): No. 5, 14 Squadrons (Jaguar); past MiG-21 units.

• Role: Primary transport and strategic airlift.

• Operations / Missions: Mid-air refuelling, rapid crisis response.

• Key operations / historical role: 1971 East Pakistan support; ongoing heavy lift backbone.

• Any notable events: First C-17/C-130J home base induction.

• Accessibility: Nearest airport: Delhi IGI; railway: Ghaziabad Junction. Address: Hindon AFS, Ghaziabad, UP - 201012.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Agra AFS, Bamrauli (Allahabad), Sarsawa, Tiloi.

2. Ambala Air Force Station

Ambala Air Force Station, located in Haryana, is one of the oldest and most strategically important IAF bases, known as the first squadron base of the advanced Dassault Rafale fighters.

Established in 1919, it played crucial roles in wars, including 1965 and 1971, and was the launch site for the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. Key aspects include: 

• Location: Ambala, Haryana.

• History: Pre-1947 origins; key in 1947-48, 1965, Kargil wars.

• Strategic importance: Central depth from Pakistan/China borders; versatile ops hub.

• Base Details: Rafale-equipped; world-class tech labs.

• Units stationed (wings, squadrons): No. 17 'Golden Arrows' Rafale squadron.

• Role: Fighter combat and training.

• Operations / Missions: Air defence, strikes; Balakot airstrikes support.

• Key operations / historical role: 1965 Gnat ops; Kargil missions.

• Notable events: Rafale induction 2020; century celebrations.

• Accessibility: Nearest airport: Chandigarh; railway: Ambala Cantt. Address: AFS Ambala, Haryana - 133001.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Adampur, Sirsa, Pathankot, Halwara.

3. Adampur Air Force Station

Adampur Air Force Station in Punjab is the second-largest air force station in India, near the Pakistan border. It serves as a frontline defence hub with a 9,039-foot runway and S-400 systems. 

Established in 1950, it played key roles in the 1971 war ops and recent Operation Sindoor strikes, housing squadrons like the 'Black Archers.' Some important details are outlined below: 

• Location: Adampur, Punjab.

• History: Est. 1950 as No. 305 Wing; wars 1965/1971/Kargil.

• Importance: Near Pakistan border; S-400 integration.

• Base Details: Upgraded for modern fighters; long runway.

• Units stationed: Su-7, MiG-21 historically; current interceptors.

• Role: Combat readiness, border patrol.

• Operations / Missions: Quick response, ground support.

• Key operations / historical role: 1971 vs. Pak ops; Operation Sindoor.

• Any notable events: Survived 1971 Pak strikes; recent VIP visits.

• Accessibility: Nearest airport: Amritsar; railway: Adampur station. Address: AFS Adampur, Jalandhar, Punjab - 144059.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Ambala, Pathankot, Halwara, Bhatinda.

4. Leh Air Force Station

Leh Air Force Station, also known as Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, is India's highest military airfield at 10,682 feet in Ladakh, serving dual civil-military roles for strategic northern ops. 

Built in 1961, post-1962 Sino-Indian War, it supports C-17, Il-76 transports, MiG-29/Su-30 fighters, and vital supply missions to Siachen amid China threats. Here are some key aspects of this air force station: 

• Location: Leh, Ladakh.

• History: Built in 1961 for Ladakh ops; post-1962 civilian terminal.

• Strategic importance: Northern border sustainment in tough terrain.

• Base Details: Handles C-130, AN-12; fighter ops challenges.

• Units stationed: Transport, fighter pioneer units.

• Role: Supply, high-altitude combat training.

• Runways, infrastructure: Lengthy for thin air ops.

• Operations / Missions: Troop supply, offensive potential.

• Key operations / historical role: 1962 Sino-Indian War support.

• Any notable events: First fighter landings 1960s.

• Facilities & Amenities: IAF housing, basic amenities for extreme conditions.

• Accessibility: Airport itself; railway: None nearby. Address: Kushok Bakula AFS, Leh, Ladakh - 194101.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Srinagar, Awantipora, Jammu.

5. Bareilly Air Force Station

Bareilly Air Force Station, also known as Trishul Air Base in Uttar Pradesh, is a major Central Air Command hub hosting Su-30MKI fighters and HAL Dhruv helicopters. 

Established in the mid-1960s, it formerly operated secretive MiG-25 Foxbats for high-altitude reconnaissance until 2006. Some key aspects include: 

• Location: Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.

• History: Hosts Su-30MKI; past MiG-25 Foxbat.

• Strategic importance: Northern air defense operations.

• Units stationed: Su-30MKI squadron, HAL Dhruv helos.

• Operations / Missions: Air superiority patrols.

• Key operations / historical role: Reconnaissance with MiG-25.

• Any notable events: Su-30 induction ceremonies.

• Accessibility: Nearest airport: Bareilly; nearest railway station: Bareilly Junction. Address: AFS Bareilly, UP - 243001.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Hindon, Agra, Gorakhpur.

6. Agra AFS

Agra Air Force Station (Kheria Airport), a dual-use base in Uttar Pradesh under Central Air Command, is one of India's largest, hosting Il-76, C-130J, and Il-78 refuelers for strategic transport. 

Established during WWII as RAF Agra and formalized in 1947, it supports troop deployments and AWACS ops with dual runways (05/23, 12/30).

• Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

• History: Key post-independence expansion.

• Strategic importance: Long-range mission support.

• Base Details: C-130J focus.

• Units stationed: Transport squadrons.

• Role: Air transport, refueling.

• Runways, infrastructure: Heavy-lift capable.

• Operations / Missions: Troop deployment.

• Key operations / historical role: Crisis logistics.

• Accessibility: Agra airport/railway. Address: AFS Agra, UP - 282001.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Hindon, Bareilly.

7. Awantipora AFS

Awantipora Air Force Station (VIAW), located near Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir at 1,644 meters, is a key IAF base under Western Air Command with a 10,500 ft concrete runway. Situated 5 km from Pulwama town, it supports fighter operations, air defense, and counter-terror missions in the Kashmir Valley amid regional threats.

• Location (city, state): Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir.

• History: Near Pulwama; long runway highlight.

• Strategic importance: Kashmir valley defense.

• Units stationed: Fighter squadrons.

• Role: Regional combat.

• Operations / Missions: Border security.

• Key operations: Anti-terror ops.

• Any notable events: Pulwama response.

• Accessibility: Srinagar airport. Address: AFS Awantipora, J&K.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Srinagar, Leh, Jammu.

8.  Sirsa AFS, Haryana

Sirsa Air Force Station (VISX) in Haryana, under Western Air Command, is a key fighter base established in 1964, hosting Su-30MKI squadrons like No. 21 and No. 15. It endured a 1971 Pak raid with minimal damage and intercepted a Fatah-II missile in the 2025 conflict, supporting border ops. 

• Location: Sirsa, Haryana.

• History: Established 1964; survived 1971 Pak raid with minor runway damage; MAFI upgrades by 2011.

• Strategic importance: Forward base near the Pakistan border for rapid response and intercepts.

• Base Details: Equipped with radars; supports heavy fighters.

• Units stationed: No. 21 Squadron IAF, No. 15 Squadron IAF (Su-30MKI).

• Role: Combat operations and border patrols.

• Operations / Missions: Air superiority, ground support strikes.

• Key operations / historical role: 1971 Battle of Sabuna Drain; Mystère IV tank destructions.

• Any notable events: Intercepted Fatah-II missile in 2025 India-Pak conflict via S-400.

• Facilities & Amenities: Canteens, residential quarters; nearby schools in Sirsa.

• Community around base: Integrates with Sirsa locality; boosts local economy.

• Accessibility: Nearest airport: Hisar; railway: Sirsa Junction. Address: AFS Sirsa, Haryana - 125055.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Ambala, Adampur, Suratgarh, Halwara, Bhatinda.

9. Kalaikunda AFS, West Bengal

Kalaikunda Air Force Station in Kharagpur, West Bengal, is a historic Eastern Air Command base built during WWII for B-29 Superfortress ops and now hosting Su-30MKI fighters. 

Established formally in 1956 with expanded runways, it played frontline roles in the 1965/1971 Indo-Pak wars and supported training, air defense, and joint exercises near the Bay of Bengal.

• Location: Kharagpur, West Bengal (West Midnapore district)

• History: Built by the British in WWII for B-24s; US B-29 base in 1943 under Operation Matterhorn; post-1947, became IAF hub in 1956 with Mystère IV/Hawker Hunter squadrons; key in 1965/1971 wars.

• Strategic importance: Frontline for eastern border defence against China/Bangladesh threats; training/staging hub.

• Base Details: Operated by Eastern Air Command; supports advanced fighters.

• Units stationed (wings, squadrons): No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets, ex-MiG-27ML till 2016); current Su-30MKI squadron.

• Role (training, combat, transport): Combat sorties, tactical training, armament practice.

• Runways, infrastructure (if publicly available): Expanded to a 2,700-yard runway post-1956; modern hangars, ranges at Dudhkundi/Digha-Balasore.

• Operations / Missions: Offensive/defensive air strikes, border patrols.

• Key operations / historical role: 1965/1971 Indo-Pak wars, eastern theatre; post-partition refugee ops.

• Any notable events: B-29 upgrades by thousands of labourers in 1943; first IAF Mystère ops in 1957.

• Nearest airport: Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose); railway: Kharagpur Junction. Address: Kalaikunda AFS, Kharagpur, West Bengal - 721306.

• Nearby / Related Air Force Stations: Hasimara, Bagdogra, Barrackpore, Salua, Panagarh.

10. Sulur AFS, Tamil Nadu

Sulur AFS is a key airbase of the Indian Air Force (IAF), under the Southern Air Command. It is one of India’s largest and most versatile air stations, hosting fighters, transport aircraft, helicopters, microlights, and even paragliders.

• Location: Sulur, near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

• History: Established 1940s by the Royal Navy as RNAS Sulur; WWII RAF transit base (burnt in 1942 Quit India); post-1947 Indian Navy INS Hansa; IAF takeover in 1956 with No. 5 Base Repair Depot; No. 43 Wing in 1985.

• Strategic importance: Protects southern maritime borders; key for southern India's defence and rapid deployment.

• Base Details: Spans 1,050 acres; hosts An-32, Mi-17, HAL Dhruv (Sarang team), Tejas fighters; No. 5 BRD for repairs.

• Units stationed: No. 43 Wing IAF, No. 18 Squadron; Garud Commando base.

• Role: Combat, transport, maintenance, and special forces training.

• Operations / Missions: Coastal patrols, troop support, multinational exercises like Tarang Shakti 2024.

• Key operations / historical role: 1971 Bangladesh War logistics; 1987 IPKF Sri Lanka support.

• Any notable events: First Tarang Shakti phase host 2024; ongoing Tejas inductions.

• Community around base: Boosts Coimbatore economy; family housing integrates locally.

• Accessibility: Nearest airport: Coimbatore (CJB); railway: Sulur Road station. Address: Sulur AFS, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu - 641402.

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