Every Indian Military Aircraft — Complete List
India has operated 87 distinct aircraft types across its military history — 43 still in active service, 1 on order or entering service and 43 retired or former.
Service status87 types
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
17 types
Tejas
Status In service Service entry2015
MiG-29K Fulcrum-D
Status In service Service entry2010
Rafale
Status In service Service entry2001
Su-30 Flanker-C
Status In service Service entry1996
MiG-29 Fulcrum
Status In service Service entry1983
Mirage 2000
Status In service Service entry1983
Jaguar
Status In service Service entry1972
Sea Harrier
Status Retired Service entry1980
Ajeet
Status Retired Service entry1977
MiG-27 Flogger
Status Retired Service entry1975
MiG-23 Flogger
Status Retired Service entry1970
MiG-25 Foxbat
Status Retired Service entry1970
HF-24 Marut
Status Retired Service entry1967
Su-7 Fitter
Status Retired Service entry1959
MiG-21 Fishbed
Status Retired Service entry1958
Mystère IV
Status Retired Service entry1954
MD-450 Ouragan
Status Retired Service entry1952Strategic Bombers
1 type
Military Helicopters
21 types
Prachand
Status In service Service entry2021
Dhruv
Status In service Service entry2002
Ka-31
Status In service Service entry1995
AH-64 Apache
Status In service Service entry1984
Ka-27 Helix
Status In service Service entry1982
UH-60 Black Hawk
Status In service Service entry1979
Mi-17 Hip-H
Status In service Service entry1977
Mi-24 Hind
Status In service Service entry1972
CH-47 Chinook
Status In service Service entry1962
SA316 Alouette III
Status In service Service entry1961
SH-3 Sea King
Status In service Service entry1961
SA315 Alouette II
Status In service Service entry1957
Ka-29 Helix-B
Status Retired Service entry1987
SH-60 Seahawk
Status Retired Service entry1984
Mi-35M
Status Retired Service entry1972
SA 315B Lama
Status Retired Service entry1971
Ka-25 Hormone
Status Retired Service entry1968
Mi-8 Hip
Status Retired Service entry1967
TH-55 Osage
Status Retired Service entry1961
Mi-4 Hound
Status Retired Service entry1953
H-19 Chickasaw
Status Retired Service entry1950Transport & Tanker Aircraft
19 types
C-295 Persuader
Status In service Service entry2001
BD-700 Global Express
Status In service Service entry1999
ERJ 135
Status In service Service entry1997
Airbus A321
Status In service Service entry1994
C-17 Globemaster III
Status In service Service entry1993
Gulfstream G100
Status In service Service entry1985
An-32 Cline
Status In service Service entry1982
Do 228
Status In service Service entry1982
Gulfstream III
Status In service Service entry1980
Il-76 Candid
Status In service Service entry1974
Boeing 737
Status In service Service entry1968
BN-2B Defender
Status In service Service entry1965
HS 748
Status In service Service entry1961
C-130 Hercules
Status In service Service entry1956
DHC-4 Caribou
Status Retired Service entry1961
An-12 Cub
Status Retired Service entry1959
F27 Friendship
Status Retired Service entry1958
Il-14 Crate
Status Retired Service entry1954
Douglas DC-3
Status Retired Service entry1936Special Mission Aircraft
7 types
P-8 Poseidon
Status In service Service entry2013
A-50 Mainstay
Status In service Service entry1985
Il-78 Midas
Status In service Service entry1984
R-99 Erieye
Status Retired Service entry2001
Tu-142
Status Retired Service entry1972
Il-38 May
Status Retired Service entry1967
Boeing 707
Status Retired Service entry1958Trainers
8 types
PC-7 Turbo Trainer
Status In service Service entry1978
Hawk
Status In service Service entry1976
HJT-16 Kiran
Status In service Service entry1968
HTT-40
Status Entering Service entry2026
Pipistrel Virus SW80
Status Retired Service entry2000
HPT-32 Deepak
Status Retired Service entry1984
TS-11 Iskra
Status Retired Service entry1964
DHC-3 Otter
Status Retired Service entry1953Unmanned Aircraft
14 types
MQ-9B SkyGuardian
Status In service Service entry2020
Hermes 900
Status In service Service entry2012
IAI Heron
Status In service Service entry2005IAI Searcher
Status In service Service entry1992Nagastra-1
Status Retired Service entry2024Warmate
Status Retired Service entry2016
Eitan (Heron TP)
Status Retired Service entry2010Bird-Eye
Status Retired Service entry2009
MQ-9 Reaper
Status Retired Service entry2007
IAI Harop
Status Retired Service entry2005Lakshya
Status Retired Service entry2000Nishant
Status Retired Service entry1999Forpost
Status Retired Service entry1992IAI Harpy
Status Retired Service entry1989Other National Fleets
National fleets — aircraft in service by country
- 🇺🇸 United States · all-time
- 🇷🇺 Russia · all-time
- 🇨🇳 China · all-time
- 🇮🇳 India · all-time
- 🇰🇷 South Korea · all-time
- 🇯🇵 Japan · all-time
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan · all-time
- 🇰🇵 North Korea · all-time
- 🇪🇬 Egypt · all-time
- 🇹🇷 Turkey · all-time
- 🇫🇷 France · all-time
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · all-time
- 🇮🇹 Italy · all-time
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan · all-time
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · all-time
- 🇮🇷 Iran · all-time
- 🇬🇷 Greece · all-time
- 🇩🇿 Algeria · all-time
- 🇩🇪 Germany · all-time
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · all-time
- 🇮🇱 Israel · all-time
- 🇧🇷 Brazil · all-time
- 🇪🇸 Spain · all-time
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia · all-time
- 🇵🇱 Poland · all-time
- 🇮🇶 Iraq · all-time
- 🇦🇺 Australia · all-time
- 🇨🇦 Canada · all-time
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine · all-time
- 🇦🇷 Argentina · all-time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft types has the India military ever operated?
India has operated 87 distinct aircraft types across its history and current inventory, including 43 still in active service and 43 retired or former types.
Does this list include retired India military aircraft?
Yes. This page covers every aircraft type the country has operated — past, present, and future — with a green In service, blue Entering service, or grey Retired status badge on each tile. For the current-only fleet, see the in-service listicle.
What about prototypes and test aircraft?
This page tracks operational service types. Pure prototypes, X-planes and test aircraft that never entered squadron service are not included.