The Indian Air Force is the Air Arm of the Indian Armed Forces . It has come a long way from its modest beginning to become one of the finest air forces in the world, renowned for its professionalism and competence. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict.
India’s Air Force, the world’s fourth largest, has over 600 combat aircraft and more than 500 transports and helicopters. The air force takes pride in its ability to fly low and fast, as well as to operate in the extremes of temperature and altitude ranging from the Thar Desert to the Siachen Glacier. The air force has enhanced the capability of its fighter force with the addition of the multi-role Sukhoi 30, and it hopes to replace much of its Mig-21 fleet with the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft currently under development.
It is headquartered in New Delhi, and is headed by the chief of air staff, an air chief marshal. He is assisted by six principal staff officers: the vice chief of air staff, the deputy chief of air staff, the air officer in charge of administration, the air officer in charge of personnel, the air officer in charge of maintenance, and the inspector general of flight safety.
The Air Force is composed of :
- Squadrons and Flights of various kinds of aircrafts such as Fighter, Bomber, Transport, Communication, Reconnaissance etc.,
- Establishments for the training of officers in flying, technical and ground duties and of airmen in technical and their trades,
- Maintenance Units for the storage, custody, supply maintenance, repair and overhaul of Air Force equipment, and
- Command administrative and miscellaneous units.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) today, having completed more than six decades of dedicated service to the nation, is a modern, technology-intensive force distinguished by its commitment to excellence and professionalism. Keeping pace with the demands of contemporary advancements, the IAF continues to modernise in a phased manner and today it stands as a credible air power as the nation marches into the next millennium.
With the ever escalating costs of operations, great emphasis is being placed on cost effective training, reducing expenditure, optimising output and minimising wastage. The Air Force has implemented a number of measures to enhance the quality of life of its personnel in Key welfare areas of housing, education and hostel facilities.
In addition to the traditional wartime roles of the IAF of counter air, counter surface, strategic and combat support operations, the Air Force has provided significant aid to civil authorities during natural calamities. The Siachen glacier lifeline continues to be monitored by the Indian Air Force, fully supporting the Indian Army in fighting on the world’s highest battlefield. The IAF has also provided aid to civil authorities for the large scale movement of military and para military personnel to maintain law and order as well as to cater for the needs of a large number of airmen and jawans in remote and inaccessible outposts.
The Indian Air Force has seven commands, of which five are operational and two functional, namely :
- HQ Central Air Command, Allahabad
- HQ Eastern Air Command, Shillong
- HQ Western Air Command, New Delhi
- HQ Southern Air Command, Thiruvananthapuram
- HQ South-Western Air Command, Gandhi Nagar
- HQ Maintenance Command, Nagpur and
- HQ Training Command, Bangalore
Of the seven IAF commands, the Western Air Command (WAC) is the most coveted as it covers a large chunk of the Indo-Pak border.
The Indian Air Force is divided into the following broad categories :
- Flying operations- Maintenance & Logistics- Administration and- Training
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