List of Indian Military Aircraft: Indian Military aircraft covered a long journey in terms of quality and quantity. Please read this article to check the List of Indian Military aircraft and learn about the various planes and helicopters that safeguard our nation.
The Indian military has a formidable fleet of aircraft, ranging from combat fighters to surveillance drones, helicopters, and trainers. This comprehensive article will look into the extensive inventory of Indian military aircraft, highlighting the diverse origins, types, and variants that constitute this aerial armada. These aircraft are essential in safeguarding the nation's security interests, aiding in surveillance, transportation, combat missions, and more. With almost 2,000 aircraft in service across the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, this list showcases India's armed forces' technological prowess and strategic capabilities.
India's Air Force is equipped with a diverse fleet of aircraft designed to fulfil various combat, reconnaissance, transport, and training roles. This table offers an organized overview of the Indian Air Force's impressive array of aircraft, including their origins, types, variants, and the number of units currently in service. From iconic fighter jets like the MiG-21 to advanced multi-role aircraft such as the HAL Tejas, this table provides essential insights into the Indian Air Force's aviation assets.
Also Check - Indian Army History, Roles, and FunctionsThe Indian Air Force (IAF) operates a formidable fleet of combat aircraft that forms the backbone of its aerial defence capabilities. This table provides essential insights into the IAF's combat aircraft, showcasing their origins, types, variants, and the number of units currently in service.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
MiG-21 | Soviet Union | Fighter | 128 | |
MiG-29 | Russia | Multirole | MiG-29UPG | 65 |
HAL Tejas | India | Multirole | Mk.1 / 1A | 32 |
Mirage 2000 | France | Multirole | 2000 H/I | 45 |
Sukhoi Su-30MKI | Russia | Multirole | 248 | |
Dassault Rafale | France | Multirole | EH/DH | 36 |
SEPECAT Jaguar | United Kingdom | Ground Attack | IM/IS | 130 |
The Indian Air Force (IAF) deploys a sophisticated fleet of Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) and reconnaissance aircraft, vital for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and airspace superiority. This table provides crucial information on the IAF's AWACS and reconnaissance assets, showcasing their origins, types, variants, and the number of units currently in service.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
Embraer R-99 | Brazil | AEW&C | 2 | |
Beriev A-50 | Soviet Union | AEW&C | A-50EI | 3 |
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boeing 707 | United States | Surveillance | 1 | |
Global 5000 | United States | ELINT | 2 | |
Gulfstream G100 | Israel | Surveillance | 1125 Astra | 2 |
Gulfstream III | United States | ELINT | SRA | 3 |
The Indian Air Force (IAF) relies on a fleet of dedicated tanker aircraft to provide crucial aerial refuelling support, extending the operational range and endurance of its combat and transport aircraft. This table offers insights into the IAF's tanker capabilities, detailing the origin, type, variant, and number of tankers in service. Among them is the Ilyushin Il-78MKI, equipped with an Israeli fuel-transfer system, ensuring efficient refuelling operations for various aircraft in the IAF's inventory.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ilyushin Il-78 | Soviet Union | Aerial Refueling | Il-78MKI | 6 |
The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates a diverse fleet of transport aircraft designed to fulfil various vital roles, including troop transport, cargo logistics, and VIP transport. These aircraft are indispensable in ensuring the IAF's mobility and ability to deploy personnel and supplies rapidly across the nation and beyond. This table provides an overview of the IAF's transport aircraft, detailing their origins, types, variants, and the number of aircraft in service.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boeing 737 | United States | VIP Transport | 737-700 | 3 |
Boeing 777 | United States | VIP Transport | 777-300ER | 2 |
Boeing C-17 | United States | Strategic Airlifter | 11 | |
Ilyushin Il-76 | Soviet Union | Strategic Airlifter | Il-76MD | 17 |
Antonov An-32 | Ukraine | Transport | 103 | |
Embraer Legacy 600 | Brazil | VIP Transport | 4 | |
Dornier Do 228 | Germany | Transport | 228-201 | 54 |
EADS CASA C-295 | Spain | Transport | C-295MW | |
C-130J Super Hercules | United States | Tactical Airlifter | C-130J-30 | 12 |
Hawker Siddeley HS 748 | United Kingdom | Transport | 57 |
Helicopters play a pivotal role in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) operational capabilities, offering versatility and agility for various missions, including troop transport, attack, reconnaissance, and search and rescue. The IAF maintains an extensive fleet of indigenous and foreign-origin helicopters to meet its diverse operational requirements. This table offers a comprehensive overview of the IAF's helicopter fleet, listing their origins, types, variants, and the number of helicopters in service.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mil Mi-17 | Russia | Utility | Mi-17V-5 | 250 |
Mil Mi-24 | Russia | Attack | Mi-24/25/35 | 15 |
HAL Dhruv | India | Utility | 107 | |
HAL Rudra | India | Attack | 16 | |
Alouette III | France | Liaison | Chetak | 77 |
SA 315B Lama | India | Utility | Cheetah | 17 |
Boeing AH-64 | United States | Attack | AH-64E | 22 |
CH-47 Chinook | United States | Transport | CH-47F | 15 |
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is renowned for its aerial prowess and operational excellence. The IAF relies on a fleet of advanced trainer aircraft to maintain its high standards. In Table 5, we explore the realm of Indian Air Force Trainer Aircraft. These aircraft, which include the BAE Hawk, HAL Kiran, HAL HTT-40, HAL Tejas (conversion trainer), and Pilatus PC-7, are instrumental in shaping the skills and expertise of the next generation of IAF pilots.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
BAE Hawk | United Kingdom | Jet Trainer | Hawk 132 | 102 |
HAL Kiran | India | Jet Trainer | 78 | |
HAL HTT-40 | India | Basic Trainer | 70 on order | |
HAL Tejas | India | Conversion Trainer | Mk. 1 | 8 |
Pilatus PC-7 | Switzerland | Trainer | Mk II | 75 |
Pipistrel Virus | Slovenia | Basic Trainer | 72 |
In the ever-evolving landscape of military technology, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as indispensable tools for modern armed forces. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is no exception, as it harnesses the power of UAVs to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and operational capabilities. Here, we will look into the world of IAF UAVs, exploring the various types and variants at their disposal.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service |
---|---|---|---|---|
IAI Heron | Israel | Surveillance | Heron 1 | 49 |
IAI Searcher | Israel | Surveillance | Mk. I / II | |
MQ-9 Reaper | United States | Surveillance | SeaGuardian | 2 |
The Indian Army's Aviation Corps is vital in supporting ground forces with a fleet of utility and attack helicopters. This table highlights the aircraft the Army Aviation Corps utilised, showcasing their origins, types, variants, and current operational status. From the versatile HAL Dhruv to the formidable Boeing AH-64 Apache, these aircraft contribute significantly to the Indian Army's operational capabilities.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helicopters | |||||
HAL Dhruv | India | Utility | 145 | 73 on order | |
HAL Rudra | India | Attack | 75 | ||
Alouette III | France | Liaison/Utility | Chetak | 4 | License-built by HAL |
SA 315B Lama | France | Liaison/Utility | Cheetah | 37 | License-built by HAL - 8 on order |
HAL Prachand | India | Attack | 3 | 2 on order | |
Boeing AH-64 | United States | Attack | AH-64E(I) | 6 on order | |
UAV | |||||
IAI Heron TP | Israel | Surveillance | Heron TP | 16 Heron on order | |
IAI Searcher | Israel | Surveillance | Mk. I / II | ||
Switch | India | Surveillance | Undisclosed quantities on order |
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The Indian Naval Air Arm is the seaborne aviation branch of the Indian Navy, responsible for ensuring maritime security and projecting naval power across the vast Indian Ocean region. In this table, we embark on a journey through the formidable aircraft that constitute the backbone of the Indian Naval Air Arm. From advanced combat aircraft like the HAL Tejas and MiG-29K, to maritime patrol aircraft such as the Boeing P-8I and Ilyushin Il-38, these machines are at the forefront of naval aviation, ensuring the safety of India's maritime interests.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat Aircraft | |||||
HAL Tejas | India | Multirole | Mk.1 | 8 on order | |
MiG-29 | Russia | Multirole | MiG-29K | 45 | 9 KUB variants provide conversion training |
AWACS | |||||
Kamov Ka-31 | Russia | AEW | 14 | Employs a Planar array radar | |
Maritime patrol | |||||
Boeing P-8 | United States | ASW / Patrol | P-8I | 12 | |
Ilyushin Il-38 | Soviet Union | ASW / Patrol | 4 | ||
Dornier Do 228 | Germany | Surveillance | 228-201 | 24 | 11 on order[1] |
Britten-Norman BN-2 | United Kingdom | Utility / Patrol | BN-2B/2T | 4 | |
Helicopters | |||||
HAL Dhruv | India | Utility | 17 | 8 on order[1] | |
Kamov Ka-27 | Russia | ASW | Ka-28 | 14 | |
Westland Sea King | United Kingdom | SAR / Utility | Mk.42B/C | 25 | Six are UH-3H variants |
HAL Chetak | France | Liaison / Utility | 36 | 6 on order[1] | |
SH-60 Seahawk | United States | ASW / SAR | MH-60R | 2 | 22 on order[1] |
Trainer Aircraft | |||||
BAE Hawk | United Kingdom | Jet Trainer | Hawk 132 | 17 | |
HAL Kiran | India | Jet Trainer | 20 | ||
UAV | |||||
IAI Heron | Israel | Surveillance | Heron 1 | ||
IAI Searcher | Israel | Surveillance | Mk. I / II | ||
MQ-9 Reaper | United States | Surveillance | Sea Guardian | 2 |
Rom maritime patrol aircraft like the Dornier Do 228, ensuring constant surveillance, to versatile helicopters like the HAL Dhruv and HAL Chetak, aiding in critical operations at sea, these aerial assets form an integral part of the Indian Coast Guard's mission to protect and serve. Let us explore the skies with these guardians of India's coastal waters and witness their unwavering commitment to maritime safety and security.
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maritime patrol | |||||
Dornier Do 228 | Germany | Reconnaissance | 101/201 | 23 | 2 on order |
Helicopters | |||||
HAL Dhruv | India | Utility | Mk. I / Mk. III | 4 / 16 | |
HAL Chetak | India | Utility | 17 |