Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is a formidable and strategically significant air arm, entrusted with the primary mission of securing Indian airspace and conducting aerial warfare during armed conflicts. Structurally, the IAF is organized into seven commands, which include five operational commands and two functional commands. These commands are geographically dispersed across India, enabling the IAF to respond swiftly to threats from any direction. The operational commands are responsible for military operations within their designated areas, while the functional commands focus on maintaining combat readiness through training and maintenance. This structure provides the IAF with strategic flexibility and operational efficiency.

The IAF's operational capabilities are diverse, encompassing air superiority, ground attack, strategic airlift, and reconnaissance. Its combat fleet is a mix of Russian, Western, and indigenously developed aircraft. The Su-30MKI serves as the primary air superiority fighter with multi-role capabilities, complemented by French-made Rafale jets, and the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). For strategic lift, the IAF operates heavy transport aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules. The Garud Commando Force constitutes the IAF's special forces unit, tasked with search and rescue and other specialized missions.

The strategic doctrine of the IAF has evolved from a primarily army-support role to that of a strategic force with significant power projection capabilities. Its doctrine emphasizes achieving and maintaining air dominance, credible deterrence, and strategic reach. The IAF's strategic thinking now incorporates the use of air power for strategic effect in both conventional and sub-conventional warfare scenarios, including the targeting of key leadership.

The IAF possesses extensive operational experience, having been involved in four wars with Pakistan and one with China. Notable engagements include the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971, the 1999 Kargil War, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike. Beyond conventional warfare, the IAF has undertaken significant operations such as Operation Meghdoot (to secure the Siachen Glacier), Operation Poomalai (in Sri Lanka), and Operation Cactus (in the Maldives), demonstrating its expeditionary capabilities.

To counter emerging threats and replace its legacy systems, the IAF is in the midst of a comprehensive modernization program. A key objective is to achieve a 42-squadron strength by 2035. This involves the induction of new platforms and the upgrade of existing ones. Major modernization initiatives include the procurement of additional Rafale jets, the induction of the indigenous Tejas LCA and its improved variants, and the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter. The IAF is also enhancing its capabilities in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cybersecurity, and space-based assets, with a proposal to rename itself the Indian Air and Space Force to reflect its expanding role.