AIRFORCE

 Bharatiya Vayu Sena

The Indian Air Force 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. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II. After India achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Dominion of India, with the prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950. Since independence, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighboring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay – the invasion of Goa, Operation Methought, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai. Apart from conflicts, the IAF has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The President of India serves as the ex-official Commander-in-Chief of the IAF. The Chief of Air Staff, an Air Chief Marshal (ACM), is a four-star commander and commands the Air Force. There is never more than one serving ACM at any given time in the IAF. One officer Arjan Singh, DFC has been conferred the rank of Marshal of the Air Force, a five-star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief. In its publication the Military Balance 2010, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates that the Indian Air Force has a strength of 127,000 active personnel. However, various reliable sources provided notably divergent estimates of its strength over the years. Flight-global estimates there to be to 1,370 aircraft in active service during 2012/2013.

21st Century Indian Air Force (IAF)

The Indian Air Force today is a modern, technology-intensive force equipped with a wide array of modern aircraft and support equipment, weapon systems, communications and detection systems which gives it formidable offensive and defensive capabilities. Since it's formation on 8 October 1932, the Indian Air Force has come a long way from it's modest beginning to become a pre-eminent Air Force in the region and a formidable bulwark of national defence. It is poised at the threshold of a new paradigm of modernization in keeping with the new security challenges faced by the nation, which the IAF may need to attend to. The teeth of the Air Force are its air-superiority fighters, multi-role combat and strike/air defence/reconnaissance aircraft. The Indian Air Force believes in deterrence during peace and force projection during war. In addition to peacetime training for traditional wartime roles, the Indian Air Force also provides significant aid to civil authorities during natural calamities and internal disturbances. The IAF has served India with courage and effectiveness in peace time and war. It forms the core of national defence and hence contributes towards the stability and security of the region. Indian Air Force         Join Indian Air Force        List of Indian Fighter Planes  Gallery             Indian Air Force Ranks         Air Powers in the World         Carrier                                    Career As Per Qualification Aeronautical Engineering Branch                     10+2      Flying Branch                                          Engineer      Ground Duty Branches                                Graduate                                                                   Post Graduate