Indian Air Force Day Special: The Glorious Eras of the IAF, from Biplanes to Rafale

The story of the Indian Air Force began on 8 October 1932, when the force was officially established as the Indian Air Force. Its first operational unit came into being on 1 April 1933.

The fledgling force was modest in size. It comprised six RAF-trained officers and 19 Havai Sepoys (air soldiers), supported by an initial fleet of just four Westland Wapiti IIA army-cooperation biplanes. These aircraft formed the nucleus of “A” Flight of the planned No. 1 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. The IAF received its first taste of active operations only a few years later. In 1937, “A” Flight deployed to Miranshah in North Waziristan to support Indian Army operations against insurgent Bhittani tribesmen.

By modern standards, the force was small and lightly equipped, but these early years laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of the world’s major air forces.

The Second World War proved to be a transformative period in the evolution of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF). During the war years, the force was operating comparatively aged aircraft.

Yet, despite these limitations and the relatively unglamorous nature of its missions, RIAF personnel established a reputation for courage, professionalism and operational efficiency. Its airmen were recognised with 22 Distinguished Flying Crosses, along with numerous other decorations.

In recognition of its wartime contribution, the service was granted the prestigious prefix “Royal” in March 1945, becoming the Royal Indian Air Force. The war also dramatically expanded the force. By the end of hostilities, RIAF personnel strength had risen to approximately 28,500, including around 1,600 officers.

Independence in 1947 brought a new chapter for the Royal Indian Air Force—and an immediate operational challenge. The division of personnel, aircraft and other assets between India and Pakistan disrupted the force at a critical moment. Yet, within weeks, the newly independent Indian Air Force was called upon to undertake one of its most important missions.

The RIAF had to respond to the insurgent forces pouring across the border into Jammu and Kashmir. The fighting between the two nations continued for 15 months, with heavy RIAF involvement throughout, and a ceasefire eventually came into force on 1 January 1949. Despite being continuously on an operational footing throughout this period, the reorganisation and modernisation of the Service continued unabated.

The years following Independence were a period of rebuilding and rapid modernisation for the Indian Air Force. With the “Royal” prefix dropped in 1950, the service entered a new era as the Indian Air Force. The force was still relatively modest, comprising six fighter squadrons equipped with Spitfires, Vampires and Tempests.

Modernisation soon gathered pace. In 1951, the introduction of the Vampire NF Mk 54 strengthened the IAF’s night-fighting capability. In the following years, No. 7 Squadron achieved operational status on the Vampire FB Mk 52, making the IAF the first Asian air arm to operate jet fighters.

In August 1962, India signed agreements with the Soviet Union for the acquisition of the MiG-21. The induction of the MiG-21 in 1963 marked a turning point in the IAF’s evolution, introducing a supersonic fighter that would become one of the most significant aircraft in Indian military aviation. With over 800–1,000 aircraft eventually produced under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India had the largest MiG‑21 fleet in the world.

The wars of 1965 and 1971 marked a defining chapter in the history of the Indian Air Force, demonstrating the importance of air superiority, training and modern equipment. On 3 September 1965, Squadron Leader Trevor Keelor, VrC, VM, made history by claiming India’s first air-to-air victory in a full-scale war. Flying a Folland Gnat over the Chamb sector, Keelor shot down a Pakistani F-86 Sabre. The nimble Gnats subsequently earned the famous nickname “Sabre Slayers” for their performance against Pakistan’s Sabres.

The 1965 war saw intense aerial combat across Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Hunters, Mystère IVAs, Canberras, Vampires and Gnats conducted fighter operations, ground-attack missions and strikes against enemy airfields and military targets, while also providing vital support to Indian ground forces.

The experience gained in 1965 proved invaluable. Six years later, the IAF entered the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War with greater operational experience and an increasingly modern fleet.

Following Pakistan’s pre-emptive air strikes on Indian airfields on 3 December 1971, the IAF rapidly took the initiative on both the eastern and western fronts. In the east, sustained air operations helped isolate Pakistani forces and contributed to the rapid advance of Indian and allied forces, culminating in the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka on 16 December 1971. The conflict also demonstrated the importance of joint operations between the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Meanwhile, the IAF continued its modernisation. The MiG-21FL entered service with additional squadrons, progressively replacing older aircraft, while the Gnat continued to serve as a key fighter. The establishment of the Air Defence Ground Environment System (ADGES) strengthened air-defence coordination. Together, the experiences of 1965 and 1971 transformed the IAF into a more capable, modern and battle-tested air force.

The Kargil conflict of 1999 marked another defining chapter in the operational history of the Indian Air Force. It tested the IAF’s ability to conduct sustained combat operations in some of the world’s most demanding terrain.

When infiltrators occupied strategic heights along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, the IAF was first approached to provide air support on 11 May, 1999. Under Operation Safed Sagar, the IAF conducted reconnaissance, air defence and ground-attack missions while working closely with the Army.

High-altitude operations presented an exceptional challenge. Thin air affected aircraft performance. IAF’s Mi-25/35 attack helicopters were not able to operate in this terrain. Despite these limitations, IAF aircraft conducted precision strikes against fortified positions and logistical targets, providing crucial support to troops fighting at extreme elevations.

The Mirage 2000 became particularly important for precision strikes, while the MiG-29 provided air defence, the MiG-27/MiG-23BN/MiG-21 undertook strike missions, and helicopters such as the Cheetah and Mi-17 performed specialised roles.

After Kargil, the next major leap came with the Su-30MKI. The first batch entered IAF service in September 2002, introducing a large, long-range, twin-engine multirole fighter with advanced avionics and significant weapons-carrying capacity. The type subsequently became the backbone of India's frontline fighter force.

The post-Kargil period also saw a major expansion in the IAF's ability to project and sustain air power. The induction of the C-130J Super Hercules in 2011 gave the IAF a specialised tactical airlift and special-operations capability.

Another major change was the development of India's indigenous combat-aircraft capability. On 1 July 2016, the first Tejas squadron, No. 45 Squadron, was formed. Tejas is an indigenously designed and developed fourth-plus-generation lightweight multirole fighter, intended to perform air-defence and strike missions while progressively incorporating more advanced sensors, weapons and electronic systems.

The arrival of the Rafale in 2020 added another high-end multirole platform to the IAF's inventory. The first five aircraft reached India on 27 July 2020, and the type was formally inducted into No. 17 Squadron at Ambala on 10 September 2020. The Rafale brought enhanced capabilities in air defence, precision strike and long-range weapon employment.

Modernisation has extended far beyond fighter aircraft. The IAF has progressively developed Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capabilities. Systems such as Akash, MRSAM and S-400, together with the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), contribute to a layered approach to air defence and network-centric operations.

The next stage is increasingly centred on indigenous aerospace technology. The Tejas Mk1A represents a more capable evolution of the original LCA, while the larger Tejas Mk2 is intended to provide greater range, payload and multirole capability. Beyond these programmes lies the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India's planned fifth-generation stealth fighter. In March 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the full-scale engineering development of the AMCA programme, marking a major step towards developing an indigenous stealth combat aircraft.

The modern IAF is therefore no longer defined simply by the number or performance of its fighter aircraft. Its transformation encompasses fighters, precision weapons, airborne surveillance, electronic warfare, strategic airlift, helicopters, air defence, data networks, satellites and indigenous aerospace manufacturing.

This evolution was visible during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when the IAF operated as part of a broader tri-service and multi-domain response. Official accounts highlighted the use of precision air operations, integrated air defence, real-time command and control, and coordination across the armed forces.

From the humble Westland Wapitis of 1933 to the Rafale, Tejas and Su-30MKI of today, the Indian Air Force has undergone a remarkable transformation. Its journey has been shaped by wars, operational challenges, technological change and the determination to build greater indigenous capability.

Every era has added new lessons and capabilities, transforming the IAF into a modern, networked and technology-intensive aerospace force. The story of the IAF is not just about aircraft; it is about the air warriors who have carried the force forward through every generation.

From biplanes to Rafale, the Indian Air Force continues to evolve—ready for the skies of tomorrow.

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