Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (?????? ???? ???? : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. It was established on October 8, 1932 as the Royal Indian Air Force. The prefix Royal was dropped after India became a Republic in 1950. It is the fourth largest airforce in the world and operates 1100+ combat and 1500+ non-combat aircraft.

Structure of the IAF

The head of the Indian Air Force, Chief of the Air Staff, is assisted by six officers: the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Deputy Chief of Air Staff, the Air Officer in Charge of Administration, the Air Officer in Charge of Personnel, the Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance, and the Inspector General of Flight Safety.

Related Topics:
Chief of the Air Staff - Vice Chief of the Air Staff - Deputy Chief of Air Staff - Air Officer in Charge of Administration - Air Officer in Charge of Personnel - Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance - Inspector General of Flight Safety

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Commands

The Indian Air Force currently operates 7 Commands. Each Command is headed by a Air Officer Commander-in-Chief in the rank of Air Marshal.

Related Topics:
Commands - Air Officer Commander-in-Chief - Air Marshal

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Wings

Wing is a static formation below the level of the Commands and is an intermediate between Command and Squadron. A Wing generally consists of 3 IAF Squadrons and along with the Forward Support Bloc Units (FSBU), it is responsible for maintaining the installation. Currently, 47 Wings and 19 FSBUs make up the IAF.

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Squadrons

Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations. In other words, a Flying Squadron is a sub-unit of an air force station which carries out the primary task of the IAF. All the squadrons are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Wing Commander. Each IAF squadron consists of a minimum 80 personnel and 12 aircrafts. Presently, the IAF consists of 224 squadrons.

Related Topics:
Squadron - Commanding Officer - Wing Commander

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