The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. The IAF was established on October 8, 1932, making it one of the world’s oldest air forces. It operates a diverse fleet of aircraft, including fighters, transport planes, and helicopters.
These are Main Active Indian Air force Fighter Jets:
Su-30MKI
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twin-jet multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia’s Sukhoi Corporation and built under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Su-30MKI is a variant of the Su-30 and is specifically designed to meet the Indian Air Force’s requirements.
It is equipped with a variety of advanced weapons systems, including radar, electronic warfare systems, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
The Su-30MKI has a maximum speed of 2,120 km/h and a range of 3,000 km. It is considered to be one of the most capable fighters in the Indian Air Force’s inventory, and has been used in multiple conflicts and military exercises.
Rafale
The Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine, fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation.
The Rafale has a maximum speed of 1,995 km/h and a range of 3,700 km.
In 2016, India concluded an agreement with the French government to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets in a fly-away condition as a part of emergency purchase to meet the depleting fighter squadrons of Indian Airforce. It is expected to play a key role in the Indian Air Force’s operations in the coming years.
Mig-29
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a twin-engine, fourth-generation fighter aircraft designed by the Mikoyan design bureau in the Soviet Union. It was developed in the 1970s to counter new American fighters such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Hornet.
The MiG-29 has a maximum speed of 2,445 km/h and a range of 1,430 km. It is equipped with a variety of weapons, including a 30mm cannon.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has operated the MiG-29 since the 1980s and has used it in multiple conflicts and military exercises.
The IAF has also upgraded the aircraft with new avionics and weapons systems to improve its capabilities. Despite being an older design.
The MiG-29 remains in service with the IAF and is expected to continue to be used in the coming years.
Tejas
The HAL Tejas is a single-engine, fourth-generation, light combat aircraft (LCA) developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. The Tejas has a maximum speed of 1,350 km/h and a range of 3,000 km.
The aircraft made its first flight in January 2001 and was officially inducted into the Indian Air Force in July 2016. The Tejas is considered to be one of the most advanced and capable light fighter aircraft in its class.
Mirage 2000
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a single-engine, fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation.
The Mirage 2000 has a maximum speed of 2,338 km/h and a range of 3,330 km. It is equipped with a variety of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and a 30mm cannon.
Mirage 2000 has been in service with the Indian Air Force since the 1980s and has been used it in multiple conflicts including the 1999 Kargil War.
Mig-21 Bison
It is a single-seat supersonic jet fighter aircraft, and a major upgrade to the original MiG-21. It is also known as the MiG-21 Bison in Indian Airforce.
The MiG-21bis has a maximum speed of 2,230 km/h and a range of 1,350 km. It is equipped with a variety of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, and a 23mm cannon.
Jaguar
The SEPECAT Jaguar is a two-seat, twin-engine, deep penetration strike aircraft developed jointly by the British aircraft company BAE Systems and the French company Dassault Aviation. The Jaguar has a maximum speed of 1,342 km/h and a range of 2,730 km.
The Jaguar was operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) since the late 1970s. The aircraft served as the main strike aircraft of the IAF for several decades and played a key role in multiple conflicts