FIGHTER PLANES OF INDIA

The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 in British India as an auxiliary air force of the Royal Air Force.Military aircrafts and Fighter Planes of Indian Air Force can be divided into three categories as per their role – Fighter Planes, Transportation Aircrafts, Training Aircrafts and Helicopters.

                      During World War II, the IAF played an instrumental role in halting the advance of the Japanese army in Burma, where the first IAF air strike was executed. The target for this first mission was the Japanese military base in Arakan, after which IAF strike missions continued against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.

LIST OF INDIAN AIRCRAFT:

               FIGHTER PLANES OF INDIA

1.MiG-21

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic fighter made by the Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the early 1950’s as a successor to the MiG 19. It is an Inexpensive swept-back delta winged fighter capable of achieving Mach 2 speeds making it one of the most feared and the most-produced supersonic jet aircraft ever in the history of aviation, with over 13,000 fighters produced under various names.

The MiG-21 with their superior service ceiling (58,400 ft), mach 2 speeds, increased combat range (1,210 km) and easy maintainability provided India a cost effective alternative to counter the American supersonic F-104 starfighters which the PAF received and operated between 1961 and 1972. The No. 9 Air Superiority Squadron of the PAF which operated the starfighters were however forced to retire them prematurely due to bad spare support from the US after its dismal performance in the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

The MiGs on the other hand went on to become one of the star performers of the IAF after the Soviet Union offered full TOT and rights for local assembly for its latest fighter in the 1960’s. Since then, the IAF has operated over 800 MiG 21 and over a 1200 MiGs in general, catering to the IAF’s various operational roles of Ground attack,  Reconnaissance, Interception and even close combat Dog-fighting. Unable to participate in the 1965 Indo-pak war due to their limited numbers and relative inexperience, the Mig-21s roared into action in all the wars that India has fought since.

The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war saw MiG-21’s dominate the Airspace of the both East and West Pakistan claiming four PAF F-104s, two PAF Shenyang F-6, one PAF North American F-86 Sabre and one PAF Lockheed C-130 Hercules among many others forcing the remaining PAF to retreat all the way to its Iranian border. A fact which is well documented by all historians including the then, American consultant to the PAF- Chuck Yeager who lamented on record “India flew numerous raids against Pakistani airfields with (their) brand new Sukhoi-7 bombers being escorted with MiG-21s causing heavy losses to the Pakistani side..”

David Nicolle, in his book ‘Arab MiG-19 and MiG-21 Units in Combat’ writes: “Because of the formidable performance of the IAF, Several Nations including Iraq approached India for MiG-21 pilot training and by the early 1970s, more than 120 Iraqi pilots were being trained by India alone.”

2. DASSAULT MIRAGE 2000

India purchased 49 Mirage 2000 from France in year 1980 and renamed it as Vajra before induction in Indian Air Force. It was upgraded by Dassault in 1985 and nuclear warhead carrying capability was added. Mirage 2000 played a remarkable role in the high altitudes of Kashmir during Kargil war with pakistan in 1999. Although the role of Indian Air Force during Kargil was limited as the government of India didn’t wanted to cross the LOC, still Mirage 2000 fighter planes made more than 500 shorties and used both traditional as well as laser guided bombs to destroy the enemy bunkers. Again a new contract was signed with Dassault, France for upgradation of entire fleet of 49 fighter planes in year 2011. The upgraded fighter jets are to be equipped with new avionics system and MICS missiles. Very recently a new achievement was made by Indian Air Force when they test-landed one of Mirage 2000 to Yamuna Expressway near Delhi as trial for emergency landing on roads.

3. SUKHOI SU 30

Sukhoi SU30 technology is originally from Russia which is built under license by HAL, India. This fighter plane is the heavy combat air superiority type and considered as the backbone of Indian Air Force.  220 units of Sukhoi Su-30 are in service by 2014 end and additional 280 are in queue which are expected to be produced by 2018. This fighter jet depicts the pure class of advanced Russian technology which is equipped with mighty French and Israeli Avionics. In the first deal with Russia in 1996 India purchased preassembled 50 Sukhoi Su-30 Fighter planes. The second deal of year 2000 consists of technology transfer and licensed production of nearly 150 units at HAL, India.  The original version of Sukhoi Su-30 fighters weren’t meant for carrying nuclear ammunitions but it was later proposed to carry out upgradation to carry Brahmos and Nirbhay Nuclear missiles.

4. MIG 29

This twin engine based fighter jet was originally designed in 1970s by Mikoyan Design Bureau, Russia to counter the American F 15 and F16 fighter planes.  MIG 29 was renamed as BAAZ before induction in Indian Air Force in 1985. This has three different variants – MIG 29 M, MIG 29 K and MIG 35. 29M is multiple role version while 29K is naval version. MIG 35 is the most advanced variant which has latest avionics and sensor and even the capability of mid air refuelling. Indian Air Force is the most prominent users of this fighter jet. After procurement of MIG 29 fighter planes from Russia in 1980, a number of different upgrades to boost the capability of this aircraft was carried out. The most important upgrades were air to air missile, beyond visual range, mid air refuelling and advanced avionics from Israel. MIG 29 fighter planes were used by India during Kargil war of 1999 for close air supports in general and escorting Mirage 2000 in particular.

5. LCA- TEJAS

The Light Combat Aircraft which is designed endogenously by HAL was named as Tejas by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This is a single jet engine type, supersonic, light multi role fighter aircraft which took its maiden flight on 4th Jan 2001. The program of India’s own developed fighter plane started way back in year 1980 for the purpose to phase out the ageing MIG 21 fighter jets. This is important to note that (as against the popular belief that LCA- Tejas is first own Fighter plane of HAL) LCA- Tejas is the HAL’s second indigenous fighter plane while first indigenous plane was HF-24 Marut which was de-commissioned from Indian Air Force in 1985.

6. JAGUAR 

Jaguar fighter planes were produced originally as result of Joint venture between England and France. It is basically a ground attach fighter plane which was used by both British and French Air Forces. India placed the order for Jaguar flighter planes in 1978 which consisted of 1) fleet of 40 assembled units from Europe and 2) fleet of 120 to be built at HAL, India with License and technology transfer. The jaguar fighters which were built in HAL were renamed as Shamsher. There are plans for upgradation of the ageing out Jaguar fighters to replace the Avionics.

7. MIG 27

The MIG 27 is based on the same airframe structure as that of MIG 23. It is also a ground attack type of aircraft which was produced by HAL under license alongwith technology transfer. MIG 27 was renamed as Bahadur before getting inducted in Indian Air Force. A number of MIG 27 fighter planes (about 12) were crashed. All fleet of 150 fighters were grounded in 2010 after the crashe of Silliguri. The entire fleet is shortly going to be de-commissioned in 2017.

8. C 130J Super Hercules

This heavy duty transport aircraft was originally built by Lockheed Martin, United States. It is used basically for not only military transport but for civilian and other related humanitarian rescue operations. It is not a jet based engine rather four turbo-prop engines. Presently (upto 2015) 5 units of C 130J are in active service in India and in addition to that 12 additional units have been ordered in 2013. Recently Indian Air Force displayed its military might and trial-landed C 130J Super Hercules in Laddakh. This landing is the highest ever landing of C 130J in world and is considered as the trial for transporting and airlifting its troops in remote areas in times of urgency.

9. C17 GLOBEMASTER

This military transport aircraft was originally built by Boeing and McDonnell Douglas togather for US Air Force. This is primarly meant for rapid airlifting and transporting troops, cargo, equipments and warfare materials, tanks etc. In year 2010 India passed the order of 10 C17 Globemaster for its Air Force and the shipment was received from a period of 2013-2014. Additional 6 more units were also ordered in 2012 and  that delivery is in pipeline. As a part of test Indian Air Force landed successfully the Globemaster near Dharmshala airport, Himachal Pradesh in year 2010.

10. ILYUSHIN IL-78

IL-78 Midas Air-to-Air Refuelling / Transport Aircraft, Russia

The Ilyushin IL-78 air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft is a four-engine tanker principally used for in-flight refuelling. It was designed and developed on the basis of a similar predecessor, the IL-76, and has the Nato reporting name Midas. The maiden flight of IL-78 took place on 26 June 1983 and the aircraft entered into service in 1984. About 53 aircraft are currently operational worldwide.

The IL-78 aircraft can refuel a maximum of four planes simultaneously on the ground. It can also be used as a military transport aircraft for air drop and air landing of cargo and crew.

IL-78 aerial refuelling tanker variants

The IL-78 has five variants, namely IL-78T, IL-78M, IL-78ME, IL-78MKI, and IL-78MP.

IL-78T is an alternative version of the IL-78 primarily used for holding all cargo handling equipment and convertible freight.

Another variant, the IL-78M, is a consecrate tanker aircraft designed to perform only refuelling operations without being able to be converted into transport aircraft. It is equipped with three permanent fuselage tanks. The IL-78M took its maiden flight on 7 March 1987.

The IL-78ME is an export version of IL-78M.

The IL-78MKI is a tailor-made variant of IL-78M and is equipped with Israeli fuel-transferring systems. These aircraft were deployed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and can refuel six to eight Sukhoi Su-30MKIs in a single operation. The variant took its maiden flight on 11 January 2003.

The IL-78MP is a multipurpose aerial-refuelling tanker or transport aircraft. It is fitted with removable fuel tanks in the cargo hold and UPAZ refuelling pods.

These aircraft are deployed by the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) and can be easily converted to transport aircraft by removing the fuel tanks.

Midas orders and deliveries

In December 2008, the PAF signed an agreement with Ukraine to procure four IL-78 refuelling aircraft equipped with Russian-designed UPAZ refuelling pods.

The first IL-78 aircraft was delivered in December 2009. The second was delivered in 2010 and the third tanker in February 2011. The fourth is yet to be delivered.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for six IL-78s in 2003. The first refuelling aircraft equipped with Israeli-made aerial refuelling pods was delivered to IAF in March 2003. The IL-78 has a total fuel carrying capacity of 110,000kg.

The deliveries to IAF were completed in 2004. The aircraft have been deployed at the Agra Air Force Base in India.

The People's Liberation Army Air Force procured four IL-78s in 2005. The Russian and Ukrainian Air Forces operate 19 and eight IL-78 aircraft respectively.