8th October is the Indian Air Force Day when the country salutes all the air warriors and showcases the strength of active Indian military aircrafts. Our air arms have Mirage 2000, Sukhoi Su-30, HAL Tejas LCA, Rafale, and other jets that dominate the sky on the battlefield.
On the 89th Anniversary of IAF, we are glorifying all active combat aircraft in the fighting fleet of India.
7 Active Indian Military Aircrafts Everyone Should Know About
1. Rafale
via:aerotime
The multirole modern fighter jet, Rafale, is high-speed aircraft with impressive attack capability. It can also carry several heavy weapons and missiles in the air. The delta-wing design has a twin-engine jet and can be used both on the ground and sea. And if needed, the aircraft can pull off g-force vertically up to 11 g.
So far, the country has only 26 Rafale in service and is waiting for 10 more as per the agreement between India and France. Two squadrons of this aviation marvel are deployed along the Indo-Pak border at Ambala and Hasimara base stations.
2. Mirage 2000
via:pinterest
Deadliest of all, Mirage 2000 can chase the enemy at the maximum speed of 2495 km/hr and target them within 700 km of the radius. It is the crown of the Indian Air Force.
Though it is a single-jet plane, its versatility made it a crucial weapon in war. Mirage has a history of defeating enemies and the 1999 Kargil war is the proof of its strength. It got an Indian name as Vajra that truly defines its ability.
3. HAL Tejas LCA
via:theindianexpress
The indigenous Tejas in the Indian squad is no less powerful than other active military aircraft. Tejas can quickly gain a speed of 2230 km/hr. It can target an enemy from the distance Mirage 2000 cannot as its combat radius is 1100 km. India has two variants Tejas Mk 1 and Mk 1A that add to its strength.
4. Sukhoi Su- 30 MKI
via:teahub
Sukhoi Su-30 is the reason behind India’s stronghold in the war whether in air or ground. The all-weather supermaneuverable aircraft is known as the country’s backbone. More than 200 Sukhoi fighter planes are in India built by HAL and 12 more are in the progress.
5. Mikoyan-Gurevich-21
via:hushkit
The Russian aircraft is the first supersonic fighter jet of India and also the longest-serving plane in IAF. It was inducted in 1964 before the Indo-Pak border though it did not take part in the war due to a lack of pilots familiar with MiG. Now India trains pilots of other countries as well.
But the jet has a long history of accidents and crashes following which country decide to stop its induction and it will retire in 2025.
6. SEPECAT Jaguar
via:pinterest
Shamsher aka SEPECAT jaguar is a jointly developed active aircraft by the French and British Air Force and majorly used for ground attack. It is also one of the high-speed air-to-air and air-to-ground fighter jets. The country has 120 in its team which is recently upgraded to Darin III.
7. MiG-29
via:bulgarianmilitary
We are the largest exporter of MiG-29 which is the advanced variant of MiG-29 UPG. It was a game-changer in the Kargil War.
India also has several aircraft, helicopters, and trainer aircraft which are forming a strong defensive line in the sky.
Other Fighter Planes In India Are:
• BAe Hawk
• Boing 737
• Dornier Do 228
• HAL LCH
• IAI Searcher
• Kamov Ka-226 Sergei
• Mil Mi-8
• Ilyushin Il-76 and 78
• Boing C-17 Globemaster III
India has the fourth largest air force in the world and now you know why.