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Modern Active Indian Air Force (IAF) Aircraft (2018)


The Indian Air Force maintains a mixed stock of old and new aircraft platforms to cover a multitude of over-battlefield roles.

There are a total of 25 Modern Active Indian Air Force (IAF) Aircraft (2018) in the Military Factory. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order (1-to-Z). Flag images indicative of country of origin. Return to the Modern Aircraft Index.

NOTES:
2017: The Indian Air Force is the only global operator of the SEPECAT Jaguar. However, some of the existing fleet are undergoing a complete modernization / update process to keep them viable for the coming decade.
  #1  
1960
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Aerospatiale Alouette III
Aerospatiale Alouette III
Light Multirole Helicopter
Despite its Cold War-era roots, the Aerospatiale Alouette III remains a multi-purpose light helicopter design....
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  #2  
1976
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Antonov An-32 (Cline)
Antonov An-32 (Cline)
Tactical Military Transport
The Antonov An-32 Cline was an improvement over the existing An-26 Curl twin-engine transport aircraft....
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  #3  
1976
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the BAe Hawk
BAe Hawk
Advanced Trainer / Light Strike Aircraft
The advanced trainer / light strike BAe Systems Hawk has proven a success on the global stage....
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  #4  
1984
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Beriev A-50 (Mainstay)
Beriev A-50 (Mainstay)
Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) Aircraft
The Beriev A-50 Mainstay is a Cold War relic of the Soviet Union, currently serving the Russian military in an upgr...
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  #5  
1968
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Boeing 737 (Series)
Boeing 737 (Series)
Short-to-Medium Range Passenger Airliner / Transport Aircraft
The Boeing 737 series is still used in large numbers all over the world....
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  #6  
1995
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Tactical / Strategic Military Transport Aircraft
The mammoth Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifter was introduced in 1995 and still sees considerable service with A...
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  #7  
1979
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Dassault Mirage 2000
Dassault Mirage 2000
Multirole Fighter / Strike Fighter Aircraft
The French Dassault Mirage 2000 multirole fighter was developed to replace the aging Mirage III and 5 series aircra...
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  #8  
1982
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Dornier Do 228
Dornier Do 228
Utility Transport / Maritime Patrol Aircraft
The Dornier Do 228 proved to be a versatile performer in the years covering its production run - restarted in 2009....
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  #9  
2002
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the HAL Dhruv (Polaris)
HAL Dhruv (Polaris)
Multirole Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter
The HAL Dhruv is currently in service with Indian armed forces and has found customers in several countries around ...
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  #10  
1968
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the HAL HJT-16 Kiran (Ray of Light)
HAL HJT-16 Kiran (Ray of Light)
Intermediate-Advanced Trainer / Light Attack Aircraft
The Indian HJT-16 Kiran flew for the first time on September 4th, 1964, and remains in service today - though its r...
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  #11  
2019
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter)
HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter)
Light Attack Helicopter
Several hundred HAL Light Combat Helicopters are currently on order for the Indian Air Force and Army....
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  #12  
2015
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the HAL Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft)
HAL Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft)
Multirole 4th Generation Lightweight Fighter Aircraft
The HAL Tejas was officially taken into service by the Indian Air Force in July 2016 - marking a milestone for the ...
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  #13  
1975
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Ilyushin IL-76 (Candid)
Ilyushin IL-76 (Candid)
Strategic Transport / Tanker Aircraft
Despite its age, the Soviet-era Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft series is still used around the globe in both civilian and ...
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  #14  
1984
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Ilyushin IL-78 (Midas)
Ilyushin IL-78 (Midas)
In-Flight Refueling Tanker Aircraft
The Soviet-era Ilyushin IL-76 Candid forms the basis for the Ilyushin IL-78 Midas aerial tanker aircraft....
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  #15  
2002
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Kamov Ka-226 Sergei (Hoodlum)
Kamov Ka-226 Sergei (Hoodlum)
Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)
Kamov has brought along its iconic coaxial main rotor arrangement into a light utility platform as the module-minde...
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  #16  
1999
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules
Tactical Medium Transport Aircraft
A plethora of Western powers and American allies have taken on the improved Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules platform...
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  #17  
1975
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Mikoyan MiG-27 (Flogger)
Mikoyan MiG-27 (Flogger)
Swing-Wing Ground Attack Aircraft
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 was an all-new, strike-minded variant of the successful MiG-23 interceptor....
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  #18  
1984
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Mikoyan MiG-29 (Fulcrum)
Mikoyan MiG-29 (Fulcrum)
Lightweight Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft
The Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum has seen excellent sales figures at home and abroad....
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  #19  
1959
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Fishbed)
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Fishbed)
Single-Seat Supersonic Fighter Aircraft
The successful Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21 Fishbed was a giant leap from earlier MiG turbojet-powered, swept-wing fight...
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  #20  
1981
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Mil Mi-17 (Hip-H)
Mil Mi-17 (Hip-H)
Medium-Lift Transport Helicopter / Gunship
The Mil Mi-17 transport helicopter was born from the original Mi-8 series as an improved form....
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  #21  
1983
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Mil Mi-26 (Halo)
Mil Mi-26 (Halo)
Heavy-Lift Transport Helicopter
The Soviet-Russian Mil Mi-26 HALO is the largest helicopter to have ever been produced in number and remains in act...
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  #22  
2005
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Mil Mi-35 (Hind)
Mil Mi-35 (Hind)
All-Weather Heavy Assault Gunship / Attack Helicopter
The Mil Mi-35M attack helicopter is billed as a comprehensive upgrade to the earlier Mi-24V Hind attack helicopter ...
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  #23  
1967
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Mil Mi-8 (Hip)
Mil Mi-8 (Hip)
Multirole Medium-Lift Helicopter
Use of the Mil Mi-8 Hip was worldwide with the type being utilized in its military and civilian guises....
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  #24  
1973
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the SEPECAT Jaguar
SEPECAT Jaguar
Strike Fighter Aircraft
The SEPECAT Jaguar was a joint French/British strike fighter endeavor that saw action in several notable conflicts ...
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  #25  
1996
National Flag Graphic
Picture of the Sukhoi Su-30 (Flanker-C)
Sukhoi Su-30 (Flanker-C)
Two-Seat, Twin-Engine Air Superiority / Strike Fighter Aircraft
The Russian Sukhoi Su-30 has seen an uptick in sales as its global operators continue to grow....
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