Indian Air Force Fighter Jets – Rafale, SU30-MKI, Tejas & More

Published: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 18:47 [IST]

The Indian Air Force uses a wide variety of advanced fighter aircraft for securing the country's air space and borders. As such, let us take a look at active fighter jets in the Indian Air Force.

MiG-21 Bison

The MiG-21 is the first supersonic aircraft IAF acquired, introduced in the year 1959. It is a fighter and interceptor aircraft of Soviet origin. India is the largest operator of MiG-21 fighter jets and the country has introduced more than 1,200 units of MiG-21 fighters into its air force.

However, only 113 units of MiG-21s are currently in operation in India as most of the earlier versions of the aircraft has been phased out. At present, the Indian Air Force is looking forward to decommissioning all MiG-21s by the year 2025.

SEPECAT Jaguar

The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French attack aircraft. The IAF is the single largest export customer of the SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft with an order worth $1 Billion back in 1978. Despite its age, the SEPECAT Jaguar is considered a fast, stable and effective long-range strike aircraft in IAF.

Thanks to its reputation, 125 units of SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft are being upgraded to the latest DARIN III system. This will make the aircraft much better than before with more advanced avionics.

MiG-29

The Mikoyan MiG-29 is an air superiority fighter aircraft designed by the Soviet Union. The MiG-29 was first introduced in the year 1983 and over the years developed as a multirole fighter jet.

The IAF is the MiG-29's first international customer and there are currently 78 units of MiG-29 aircraft in India. Also, these fighter jets were extensively used during the 1999 Kargil war, where they provided fighter escort for the Mirage 2000 aircraft.

Mirage 2000

The Dassault Mirage 2000 is also a French, multirole, single-engine, 4th-generation fighter aircraft. This fighter jet entered IAF in 1985 as a response to Pakistan buying US-made F-16 fighter jets.

At present, IAF has 50 units of Mirage 2000 fighter jets and a $2.2 billion upgrade package has been allotted. This upgrade includes the likes of provision for night-vision capable glass cockpits, upgraded navigation, multi-mode multi-layered radar, fully integrated electronic warfare suite, MICA missile compatibility and more.

HAL Tejas

The HAL Tejas is an indigenously developed single engine, delta wing, light multirole fighter aircraft. Also, the HAL Tejas is currently the smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic combat aircraft.

At present, there are three variants of the HAL Tejas aircraft. This includes the likes of Tejas Mark 1, Tejas Trainer, and Tejas Mark 1A. Moreover, more than 40 units of the aircraft have been built and IAF plans to procure 324 units of the aircraft.

Sukhoi SU-30MKI

The Sukhoi SU-30MKI can be considered as the backbone of IAF and the fighter jet is a multirole air superiority fighter designed by Russia. This model was first introduced in the year 2002 and more than 272 units of the aircraft have been built to this date.

Despite its large size, the Sukhoi SU-30MKI has a high angle of attack (AOA) and it is a highly maneuverable aircraft with a distinct advantage in dogfight situations. During a simulation exercise, the RAF Air Chief Marshal praised the MKI's dogfight ability and called the aircraft "masterful in dogfights".

Dassault Rafale

The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft and one of the most advanced 4.5-gen fighter aircraft in the world. A total of 36 units of Rafale aircraft are currently in service in India.

The Dassault Rafale has already proved its mettle several times against formidable aircraft such as the Sukhoi SU-30MKI, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 and more. Thanks to its excellent records, there has been interest from the IAF and Navy to procure more Rafale aircraft in the future.

Thoughts About The Indian Air Force (IAF)

Thanks to these fighter jets, the Indian Air Force is one of the most powerful and feared military wings in the entire world. To maintain such a reputation, the IAF must not only be at the top of its game but it must also be given the right set of tools.