Top 10 Indian Air Force Aircraft You Must Know About in 2025

At the heart of the IAF’s might lies the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. For years, this Russian-origin but Indian-tailored beast has carried the bulk of combat duties. With thrust-vectoring engines, high manoeuvrability, and a weapons load that can rival any fighter in Asia, it remains the pride of the fleet.

What makes it even more formidable today is the BrahMos missile integration, which transforms the Su-30MKI into a long-range strike aircraft. From high-altitude patrols in Ladakh to training missions over the Bay of Bengal, the Sukhoi continues to be the workhorse that ensures no enemy takes the Indian skies for granted.

The Su-30MKI has often flown combat air patrols during tensions with Pakistan, and in Operation Sindoor in May 2025, two Su-30MKIs provided air defence cover during strikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. 

If the Su-30MKI is brute force, the Dassault Rafale is finesse. The Rafale is versatile—capable of air-to-air dogfights, ground strikes, reconnaissance, and even nuclear missions. Its radar and electronic warfare suite make it one of the most modern jets flying in Asia today.

Stationed at Ambala and Hashimara, Rafales have already begun shaping the regional air balance, ensuring India has a sharp technological edge.

In Operation Sindoor (2025), Rafale jets reportedly were used to strike nine terror camps across Pakistan, employing SCALP long-range cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs.

No narrative about Indian Air Force aircraft is complete without mentioning the HAL Tejas. Unlike the imported fighters, Tejas carries the weight of national ambition: a home-grown light combat aircraft that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global peers.

The Mk 1 and Mk 1A are already operational, with new orders for nearly a hundred jets approved in 2025. The upcoming Mk 2 promises a bigger airframe, greater thrust, and advanced radar, signalling that India’s skies will increasingly be guarded by Indian wings.

Tejas formally commenced operations with the No. 45 “Flying Daggers” Squadron in Sulur, and has flown forward-basing sorties in Jammu & Kashmir to gain experience in high altitude, valley terrain.

From Cold War relic to modern warrior, the MiG-29UPG has come a long way. With upgraded engines, improved avionics, and precision weapons, these aircraft remain agile dogfighters. Their main role? Scrambling fast to intercept intruders—a role they continue to perform with confidence.

During the Kargil War in 1999, legacy MiG-29 aircraft (pre-upgrade) based at Adampur played a key role in destroying enemy fortifications at high altitudes (around 15,000 feet and above), supporting ground operations and helping secure air superiority in the region. 

Few aircraft inspire as much affection among IAF pilots as the Dassault Mirage-2000. Famous for its role in the 1999 Kargil War, the Mirage has been extensively upgraded. Its newer radar and advanced missiles ensure it is still a trusted companion in high-risk missions. Though ageing, the Mirage holds a special place in India’s defence story.

The Mirage-2000 proved a “game changer” in the 1999 Kargil War, especially in its use of laser-guided bombs with targeting pods for strikes like those on Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo. 

The SEPECAT Jaguar is like a marathon runner—built not for speed, but endurance. These aircraft specialise in low-level penetration and ground strikes, making them perfect for missions deep inside hostile territory. Though their retirement is expected by the next decade, the Jaguars continue to serve with quiet determination.

Jaguars of the IAF carried out deep-penetration strike missions in the Kargil War in 1999, using both unguided and laser-guided bombs, and also performed reconnaissance and target-lasing tasks (e.g. “lasing” the target in Mushkoh Valley ahead of bombing runs).

Imagine a fighter soaring into combat but needing to return because of low fuel. That’s where the Il-78MKI aerial refueller becomes crucial. Acting as airborne gas stations, they extend the reach of Sukhois, Rafales, and Mirages, enabling long-distance operations. In the IAF’s playbook, tankers aren’t glamorous, but they are indispensable.

The Il-78MKI fleet (six aircraft, inducted in 2003-04) forms No. 78 “Battle-cry” Squadron based at Agra, acting as the IAF’s strategic aerial refuelling arm. It enables fighters like Su-30MKIs, MiG-29s, Rafales and Tejas to undertake long-range missions by refuelling in mid-air. 

Words alone cannot capture the might of these aircraft. Watch this short feature that showcases Indian Air Force aircraft in their element—on tarmacs, in training sorties, and roaring through exercises:

👉 Watch: IAF Aircraft Power in Action (YouTube)

This video gives a real taste of how fighters, transports, and support aircraft work together to protect India’s skies.

No air force can function without heavy lifters. The IAF relies on its C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules for the rapid deployment of troops and equipment. These giants can land on rough strips, carry massive payloads, and serve in both war and disaster relief. Complementing them are the An-32 and Dornier-228, which keep remote Himalayan outposts supplied through all seasons.

The C-17 Globemasters have been vital in evacuation operations (like during natural disasters and foreign evacuations), and in supplying high-altitude border posts; C-130Js similarly have been used for quick logistics and special ops in rough terrain.

When floods strike or when troops need ferrying to mountaintops, helicopters step in. The indigenous HAL Dhruv and its armed version, Rudra, represent India’s rotary-wing self-reliance. Meanwhile, the Mi-17V-5 remains a rugged workhorse, while the Apache AH-64E gunships add modern attack capability. From Kashmir to the Northeast, helicopters form the IAF’s flexible backbone.

The Mi-17V-5 helicopters have been extensively used in counter-insurgency operations and in disaster relief (e.g. flood relief and rescue in difficult terrain), while gunships like the Apache are meant to enhance attack support, particularly in night operations.

Finally, the aircraft of tomorrow: the HAL CATS Warrior. This unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is part of India’s Combat Air Teaming System. Think of it as a “loyal wingman” drone, flying alongside manned fighters, carrying weapons, or even performing one-way strike missions. With stealth features, AI-driven autonomy, and payload versatility, the Warrior signals that the future of the IAF won’t just be about pilots but also about smart machines.

In 2025, the IAF fleet represents a spectrum—legendary veterans like the Mirage and Jaguar, modern marvels like the Rafale, trusted workhorses like the Su-30MKI, and futuristic experiments like the CATS Warrior. Together, these air force aircraft tell a story of transition: from dependence to self-reliance, from manual dogfights to AI-driven combat, and from regional strength to global reach.

India’s skies have never looked more dynamic—and the roar overhead is only getting louder.

Also read: From Dogfights to Missile Shields: 10 Movies That 'Unfold' Air Defence Worldwide