Aircraft in the Indian Armed Forces
Introduction
Aircraft form the sharp edge of India’s military capability. From air superiority to ground attack, strategic transport, surveillance, and humanitarian missions — aircraft are integral to all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. India operates a mix of indigenous, imported, and jointly developed aircraft tailored for modern warfare and strategic needs.
1. Fighter Aircraft
These are designed for combat, either for air-to-air combat (interceptors/fighters) or air-to-ground roles (strike aircraft).
Indian Air Force (IAF)
- Sukhoi Su-30MKI
- Multi-role heavy fighter, backbone of the IAF fleet
- Can carry BrahMos cruise missile
- Twin-seat, long-range, high maneuverability
- Multi-role heavy fighter, backbone of the IAF fleet
- Dassault Rafale
- 4.5-gen multi-role fighter from France
- Equipped with Meteor (BVR missile), SCALP, and advanced sensors
- Deployed in Ambala and Hasimara
- 4.5-gen multi-role fighter from France
- HAL Tejas
- Indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA)
- Delta-wing, agile, and being upgraded to Tejas Mk2
- Indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA)
- Mirage-2000
- French-made aircraft known for precision bombing (Balakot strikes)
- Upgraded with modern avionics and weapons
- French-made aircraft known for precision bombing (Balakot strikes)
- MiG-29UPG
- Russian-origin twin-engine fighter, upgraded with modern radar and missiles
- Primarily used for air defense
- Russian-origin twin-engine fighter, upgraded with modern radar and missiles
- Jaguar (SEPECAT)
- Ground-attack aircraft used for deep strike missions
- MiG-21 Bison (Being phased out)
Oldest in the fleet, now replaced by Tejas and Rafale gradually
2. Transport Aircraft
These aircraft are used for logistics, troop movement, aerial supply drops, and emergency evacuations.
- C-17 Globemaster III
- Strategic heavy-lift aircraft from the U.S.
- Can carry tanks, artillery, and troops
- Strategic heavy-lift aircraft from the U.S.
- IL-76MD Gajraj
- Soviet heavy transport aircraft
- Used in troop and cargo movement and a platform for the AEW&C role
- Soviet heavy transport aircraft
- C-130J Super Hercules
- Tactical transport aircraft used for special operations and rough landing zones
- Tactical transport aircraft used for special operations and rough landing zones
- Antonov An-32
- Medium-lift aircraft for high-altitude operations (Siachen)
- Medium-lift aircraft for high-altitude operations (Siachen)
- Do-228
- Lightweight utility aircraft used for short-range transport
- Lightweight utility aircraft used for short-range transport
3. Helicopters
Used by all three services for logistics, combat, rescue, and surveillance.
Key Indian Air Force Helicopters
- Mi-17 V5
- Medium-lift helicopter used for transport, VIP movement, and medevac
- Medium-lift helicopter used for transport, VIP movement, and medevac
- Apache AH-64E
- Advanced attack helicopter with Hellfire missiles and radar targeting
- Advanced attack helicopter with Hellfire missiles and radar targeting
- Chinook CH-47F
- Heavy-lift helicopter used to transport artillery and equipment to forward areas
- Heavy-lift helicopter used to transport artillery and equipment to forward areas
- HAL Dhruv (ALH)
- Indigenous multi-role utility helicopter
- Indigenous multi-role utility helicopter
- Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)
- Indian helicopter designed for high-altitude warfare
4. Naval Aircraft
The Indian Navy operates carrier-based aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft.
- MiG-29K
- Carrier-borne fighter deployed on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant
- Multi-role: air superiority and strike.
- Carrier-borne fighter deployed on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant
- P-8I Poseidon
- Advanced maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft
- Can launch torpedoes, depth charges, and Harpoon missiles
- Advanced maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft
- HAL Dornier Do-228
- Short-range maritime patrol aircraft
- MH-60R Seahawk(being inducted)
- American multi-role naval helicopter for ASW, anti-surface warfare
- American multi-role naval helicopter for ASW, anti-surface warfare
- Kamov Ka-31
- Airborne early warning (AEW) helicopter
- Airborne early warning (AEW) helicopter
5. Army Aviation Aircraft
- Cheetah & Chetak Helicopters (legacy) – Light utility helicopters for high-altitude areas
- HAL Rudra – Armed version of ALH Dhruv
- Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) – New Indian replacement for aging Cheetahs
6. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Drones
Used for surveillance, reconnaissance, target tracking, and attack (in development).
- Heron / Searcher II – Israeli drones for real-time reconnaissance
- Rustom-II / TAPAS BH-201 – Indigenous MALE UAV in advanced trials
- Switch Drone – Tactical hand-launched drone for infantry
- Combat UAVs (Ghatak) – Indigenous stealth UCAV under development
- Swarm Drones – Being tested for future battlefield applications
7. Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C)
These aircraft detect and monitor aerial threats and guide fighter operations.
- Netra AEW&C
- Based on Embraer EMB-145 platform
- Developed by DRDO
- Based on Embraer EMB-145 platform
- IL-76 Phalcon
- Equipped with Israeli radar and sensors
8. Training Aircraft
Used to train future pilots of the armed forces.
- HAL HTT-40 – Indigenous basic trainer aircraft
- Pilatus PC-7 MkII – Swiss-made basic trainer
- Kiran Mk II – Intermediate jet trainer
- Hawk Mk132 – British advanced jet trainer
Conclusion
The Indian Armed Forces operate a formidable fleet of aircraft ranging from fighters and helicopters to drones and strategic lift platforms. The focus is now shifting towards self-reliance through the Make in India initiative, with indigenous platforms like Tejas, LCH, and Rustom leading the charge.
