The Indian Air Force (IAF) (ISO: Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British India which honoured India's aviation service during World War II.
Since 1950, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai. The IAF's mission expands beyond engagement with hostile forces, with the IAF participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
The President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the IAF. As of 1 January 2025, 135,000 personnel are in service with the Indian Air Force. The Chief of the Air Staff, an air chief marshal, is a four-star officer and is responsible for the bulk of operational command of the Air Force. There is never more than one serving ACM at any given time in the IAF. The rank of Marshal of the Air Force has been conferred by the President of India on one occasion in history, to Arjan Singh. On 26 January 2002, Singh became the first and so far, only five-star rank officer of the IAF.
Infobox
Founded
26 January 1950; 75 years ago (1950-01-26) (as current service)8 October 1932; 93 years ago (1932-10-08) (as Royal Indian Air Force)
Country
India
Type
Air force
Role
Aerial warfare
Size
149,000 active personnel 140,000 reserve personnel 1,750 aircraft (approx)
Part of
Indian Armed Forces
Headquarters
Vayu Sena Bhawan, Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi.
Mottos
Nabhaḥ Spr̥śaṁ Dīptam (ISO) transl. "Touch the Sky with Glory" (Taken from Bhagavad Gita)
Colours
mw-
March
mw- Quick: Dēśa Pukārē Jaba Saba Kō(When the Country Calls Everyone) Slow: Vāyu Sēnā Niśāna(The Air Force Emblem)
Anniversaries
Air Force Day: 8 October
Engagements
Notable operations World War IIIndo-Pakistani War of 1947Congo CrisisOperation VijayIndo-Pakistani War of 1965Operation Cactus-LillyBattle of BoyraBangladesh Liberation WarOperation MeghdootOperation PoomalaiOperation PawanOperation CactusKargil WarPakistan Navy Atlantic shootdown2019 Balakot airstrikeIndia–Pakistan border skirmishes (2019)2020–2021 China–India skirmishesOperation Ganga2025 India–Pakistan conflict
Website
indianairforce.nic.in
Commander-in-Chief
President Droupadi Murmu
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS)
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS)
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti
Director General Medical Services
Air Mashal Sandeep Thareja
Notablecommanders
Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee
C-130J, C-17 Globemaster III, CH-47F (I) Chinook, Il-76, An-32, HS 748, Do 228, EADS CASA C-295, Boeing 737, ERJ 135, Boeing 777
Tanker
Il-78 MKI
Tables
· Structure
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Air Staff
Post
Chief of the Air Staff
Current Holder
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM
Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Post
Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Current Holder
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Post
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Current Holder
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM
Air Officer in Charge of Administration
Air Officer in Charge of Administration
Post
Air Officer in Charge of Administration
Current Holder
Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar Anand, VSM
Air Officer in Charge of Personnel
Air Officer in Charge of Personnel
Post
Air Officer in Charge of Personnel
Current Holder
Air Marshal Sunil Kashinath Vidhate, AVSM, VM
Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance
Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance
Post
Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance
Current Holder
Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AVSM, VSM
Director General of Air Operations
Director General of Air Operations
Post
Director General of Air Operations
Current Holder
Air Marshal George Thomas, AVSM, VM
Director General of Inspection and Flight Safety
Director General of Inspection and Flight Safety
Post
Director General of Inspection and Flight Safety
Current Holder
Air Marshal Markand Ranade, AVSM, VM
Director General of Medical Services (Air)
Director General of Medical Services (Air)
Post
Director General of Medical Services (Air)
Current Holder
Air Marshal Prashant Bharadwaj, AVSM, VSM & Bar,
Ranked list
Post
Current Holder
Chief of the Air Staff
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM
Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM
Air Officer in Charge of Administration
Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar Anand, VSM
Air Officer in Charge of Personnel
Air Marshal Sunil Kashinath Vidhate, AVSM, VM
Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance
Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AVSM, VSM
Director General of Air Operations
Air Marshal George Thomas, AVSM, VM
Director General of Inspection and Flight Safety
Air Marshal Markand Ranade, AVSM, VM
Director General of Medical Services (Air)
Air Marshal Prashant Bharadwaj, AVSM, VSM & Bar,
· Structure › Commands
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Central Air Command (CAC)
Central Air Command (CAC)
Name
Central Air Command (CAC)
Headquarters
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Commander
Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, PVSM, AVSM, VM
Eastern Air Command (EAC)
Eastern Air Command (EAC)
Name
Eastern Air Command (EAC)
Headquarters
Shillong, Meghalaya
Commander
Air Marshal Surat Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM
Southern Air Command (SAC)
Southern Air Command (SAC)
Name
Southern Air Command (SAC)
Headquarters
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Commander
Air Marshal Manish Khanna, UYSM, AVSM, VM
South Western Air Command (SWAC)
South Western Air Command (SWAC)
Name
South Western Air Command (SWAC)
Headquarters
Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Commander
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM
Western Air Command (WAC)
Western Air Command (WAC)
Name
Western Air Command (WAC)
Headquarters
New Delhi
Commander
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, SYSM, AVSM, VSM
Training Command (TC)+
Training Command (TC)+
Name
Training Command (TC)+
Headquarters
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Commander
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, AVSM, VM
Maintenance Command (MC)+
Maintenance Command (MC)+
Name
Maintenance Command (MC)+
Headquarters
Nagpur, Maharashtra
Commander
Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AVSM, VSM
Ranked list
Name
Headquarters
Commander
Central Air Command (CAC)
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, PVSM, AVSM, VM
Eastern Air Command (EAC)
Shillong, Meghalaya
Air Marshal Surat Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM
Southern Air Command (SAC)
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Air Marshal Manish Khanna, UYSM, AVSM, VM
South Western Air Command (SWAC)
Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM
Western Air Command (WAC)
New Delhi
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, SYSM, AVSM, VSM
Training Command (TC)+
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, AVSM, VM
Maintenance Command (MC)+
Nagpur, Maharashtra
Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AVSM, VSM
IAF officer strength on 1 March 2022 by rank (not including Armed Forces Medical Services)[161]
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
18
18
Pay level
18
Rank
Air Chief Marshal
Strength
1
17/16/15
17/16/15
Pay level
17/16/15
Rank
Air Marshal
Strength
27
14
14
Pay level
14
Rank
Air Vice Marshal
Strength
75
13A
13A
Pay level
13A
Rank
Air Commodore
Strength
222
13
13
Pay level
13
Rank
Group Captain
Strength
1019
12A
12A
Pay level
12A
Rank
Wing Commander
Strength
4934
11
11
Pay level
11
Rank
Squadron Leader
Strength
3822
10B
10B
Pay level
10B
Rank
Flight Lieutenant
Strength
1258
10
10
Pay level
10
Rank
Flying Officer
Strength
785
Total
Total
Pay level
Total
Rank
12143
Ranked list
Pay level
Rank
Strength
18
Air Chief Marshal
1
17/16/15
Air Marshal
27
14
Air Vice Marshal
75
13A
Air Commodore
222
13
Group Captain
1019
12A
Wing Commander
4934
11
Squadron Leader
3822
10B
Flight Lieutenant
1258
10
Flying Officer
785
Total
12143
IAF enlisted strength on 1 March 2022 by rank[161]
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
8
8
Pay level
8
Rank
MWO
Strength
2698
7
7
Pay level
7
Rank
WO
Strength
5420
6
6
Pay level
6
Rank
JWO
Strength
9873
5
5
Pay level
5
Rank
SGT
Strength
46037
4
4
Pay level
4
Rank
CPL
Strength
49127
3
3
Pay level
3
Rank
LAC
Strength
23134
3
3
Pay level
3
Rank
AC
Strength
2705
Total
Total
Pay level
Total
Rank
138994
Ranked list
Pay level
Rank
Strength
8
MWO
2698
7
WO
5420
6
JWO
9873
5
SGT
46037
4
CPL
49127
3
LAC
23134
3
AC
2705
Total
138994
Equivalent ranks of Indian military· Personnel › Rank structure › Officers
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Commissioned
Commissioned
Commission
Commissioned
Indian Navy
Admiral of the fleet
Indian Army
Field marshal
Indian Air Force
Marshal of the Indian Air Force
Admiral
Admiral
Commission
Admiral
Indian Navy
General
Indian Army
Air chief marshal
Vice admiral
Vice admiral
Commission
Vice admiral
Indian Navy
Lieutenant general
Indian Army
Air marshal
Rear admiral
Rear admiral
Commission
Rear admiral
Indian Navy
Major general
Indian Army
Air vice marshal
Commodore
Commodore
Commission
Commodore
Indian Navy
Brigadier
Indian Army
Air commodore
Captain
Captain
Commission
Captain
Indian Navy
Colonel
Indian Army
Group captain
Commander
Commander
Commission
Commander
Indian Navy
Lieutenant colonel
Indian Army
Wing commander
Lieutenant commander
Lieutenant commander
Commission
Lieutenant commander
Indian Navy
Major
Indian Army
Squadron leader
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Commission
Lieutenant
Indian Navy
Captain
Indian Army
Flight lieutenant
Sub lieutenant
Sub lieutenant
Commission
Sub lieutenant
Indian Navy
Lieutenant
Indian Army
Flying officer
Junior commissioned
Junior commissioned
Commission
Junior commissioned
Indian Navy
Master chief petty officer 1st class
Indian Army
Subedar major
Indian Air Force
Master warrant officer
Master chief petty officer 2nd class
Master chief petty officer 2nd class
Commission
Master chief petty officer 2nd class
Indian Navy
Subedar
Indian Army
Warrant officer
Chief petty officer
Chief petty officer
Commission
Chief petty officer
Indian Navy
Naib subedar
Indian Army
Junior warrant officer
Non-commissioned
Non-commissioned
Commission
Non-commissioned
Indian Navy
Petty officer
Indian Army
Havildar/Daffadar
Indian Air Force
Sergeant
Leading seaman
Leading seaman
Commission
Leading seaman
Indian Navy
Naik/Lance daffadar
Indian Army
Corporal
Seaman 1
Seaman 1
Commission
Seaman 1
Indian Navy
Lance naik/Acting Lance-Daffadar
Indian Army
Leading aircraftsman
Seaman 2
Seaman 2
Commission
Seaman 2
Indian Navy
Sepoy/Sowar
Indian Army
Aircraftsman
mw- }.mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments. Called jemadar until 1965.
mw- }.mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments. Called jemadar until 1965.
Commission
mw- }.mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments. Called jemadar until 1965.
Ranked list
Commission
Indian Navy
Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Commissioned
Admiral of the fleet
Field marshal
Marshal of the Indian Air Force
Admiral
General
Air chief marshal
Vice admiral
Lieutenant general
Air marshal
Rear admiral
Major general
Air vice marshal
Commodore
Brigadier
Air commodore
Captain
Colonel
Group captain
Commander
Lieutenant colonel
Wing commander
Lieutenant commander
Major
Squadron leader
Lieutenant
Captain
Flight lieutenant
Sub lieutenant
Lieutenant
Flying officer
Junior commissioned
Master chief petty officer 1st class
Subedar major
Master warrant officer
Master chief petty officer 2nd class
Subedar
Warrant officer
Chief petty officer
Naib subedar
Junior warrant officer
Non-commissioned
Petty officer
Havildar/Daffadar
Sergeant
Leading seaman
Naik/Lance daffadar
Corporal
Seaman 1
Lance naik/Acting Lance-Daffadar
Leading aircraftsman
Seaman 2
Sepoy/Sowar
Aircraftsman
mw- Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments. Called jemadar until 1965.
· Missile systems › Anti-tank guided missiles
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Spike NLOS
Spike NLOS
Name
Spike NLOS
Type
Air launched Anti-tank guided missile
Quantity
—
Origin
Israel
Notes
Status: In service. Indian Air Force procured Spike-NLOS for Mi-17 helicopters.
9M120 Ataka-V(AT-9 Spiral-2)
9M120 Ataka-V(AT-9 Spiral-2)
Name
9M120 Ataka-V(AT-9 Spiral-2)
Type
—
Quantity
Russia
Origin
Status: In service. Operated from Mil Mi-35. 20 helicopters modified to deploy the missile as of July 2024.
9K114 Shturm(AT-6 Spiral)
9K114 Shturm(AT-6 Spiral)
Name
9K114 Shturm(AT-6 Spiral)
Type
800
Quantity
Russia
Origin
Status: In service. Operated from Mil Mi-35
Dhruvastra
Dhruvastra
Name
Dhruvastra
Type
—
Quantity
India
Origin
Status: Completed user trials and Ready for Induction.
Amogha missile
Amogha missile
Name
Amogha missile
Type
—
Quantity
India
Origin
Status: Under development. To be integrated on HAL Rudra and HAL Prachand.
Ranked list
Name
Image
Type
Quantity
Origin
Notes
Spike NLOS
Air launched Anti-tank guided missile
—
Israel
Status: In service. Indian Air Force procured Spike-NLOS for Mi-17 helicopters.
9M120 Ataka-V(AT-9 Spiral-2)
—
Russia
Status: In service. Operated from Mil Mi-35. 20 helicopters modified to deploy the missile as of July 2024.
9K114 Shturm(AT-6 Spiral)
800
Russia
Status: In service. Operated from Mil Mi-35
Dhruvastra
—
India
Status: Completed user trials and Ready for Induction.
Amogha missile
—
India
Status: Under development. To be integrated on HAL Rudra and HAL Prachand.
· Missile systems › Ballistic and cruise missiles
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World heat map
BrahMos
BrahMos
Name
BrahMos
Type
Supersonic air launched cruise missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
India
Russia
Notes
Status: In service. 450 km range. To be increased to 800 km.
40 Su-30MKI modified to operate BrahMos. Further 84 aircraft to be modified.
Storm Shadow
Storm Shadow
Name
Storm Shadow
Type
Subsonic air launched cruise missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
France
UK
Notes
Status: In service. 550 km range
Kh-35
Kh-35
Name
Kh-35
Type
Subsonic air launched cruise missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
Russia
Notes
Status: In service. 260 km range
Rampage
Rampage
Name
Rampage
Type
Air launched ballistic missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
Israel
Notes
Status: In service. 150–250 km range.
Pralay
Pralay
Name
Pralay
Type
Short-range quasi ballistic missile
Quantity
120 on order
Origin
India
Notes
Status: Trials. 150–500 km range.
Prithvi II
Prithvi II
Name
Prithvi II
Type
Short-range ballistic missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
India
Notes
Status: In service. 150–350 km range.
IAF-specific variant of the Prithvi ballistic missile.
Ranked list
Name
Image
Type
Quantity
Origin
Notes
BrahMos
Supersonic air launched cruise missile
Unknown
India Russia
Status: In service. 450 km range. To be increased to 800 km. 40 Su-30MKI modified to operate BrahMos. Further 84 aircraft to be modified.
Storm Shadow
Subsonic air launched cruise missile
Unknown
France UK
Status: In service. 550 km range
Kh-35
Subsonic air launched cruise missile
Unknown
Russia
Status: In service. 260 km range
Rampage
Air launched ballistic missile
Unknown
Israel
Status: In service. 150–250 km range.
Pralay
Short-range quasi ballistic missile
120 on order
India
Status: Trials. 150–500 km range.
Prithvi II
Short-range ballistic missile
Unknown
India
Status: In service. 150–350 km range. IAF-specific variant of the Prithvi ballistic missile.
Status: In service. Dual-stage solid-fueled missile with final kinetic-kill stage. Target speed: 10 km/s. Flight Altitude: 1,200 km
Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems
Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems
Name
Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems
Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV)
Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV)
Name
Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV)
Type
Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
India
Notes
Status: In service. Dual-stage solid-fueled missile. Flight Altitude: 150 km.
Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
Name
Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
Type
Endo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
India
Notes
Status: In service.
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
Name
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
Type
Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile
Quantity
Unknown
Origin
India
Notes
Status: being replaced by Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV). Dual-stage liquid-fueled missile. It can intercept targets at 80 km altitude.
Air Defence Systems
Air Defence Systems
Name
Air Defence Systems
S-400 Triumph
S-400 Triumph
Name
S-400 Triumph
Type
Long-range surface-to-air missile system
Quantity
3 regiments
Total 48 launchers
Origin
Russia
Notes
Status: In service. 2 more regiments' delivery by 2026. 400 km operational range.
Each regiment will have two batteries with eight launchers each.
Barak-8 (MR-SAM)
Barak-8 (MR-SAM)
Name
Barak-8 (MR-SAM)
Type
Medium-range surface-to-air missile
Quantity
18 squadrons
Origin
India
Israel
Notes
Status: In service. MRSAM is a medium range air defence system with a max range of 70–80 km. It is used to counter aerial threats such as Fighter aircraft, helicopter, UAV etc. An Air Force Squadron consists of 3 TELs per Squadron.
Akash
Akash
Name
Akash
Type
15 squadrons (120 launchers)
Quantity
India
Origin
Status: In service.
Akash 1S has 40 km operational range and flight ceiling of 20 km. 2 regiments of Akash Prime on order for Army. Akash NG with increased range of 70–80 km is being tested.
SPYDER
SPYDER
Name
SPYDER
Type
Short and Medium range surface-to-air missile
Quantity
18 Systems (Batteries)
Origin
Israel
Notes
Status: In service. 18 SPYDER-SRs Systems (Batteries) along with 750 Python-5 surface to air missiles (SAMs) and 750 Derby SAMs has been delivered. 50 km operational range and flight ceiling of 16 km.
A typical battery consists one central command and control unit, six missile firing units, and a resupply vehicle.
SAMAR
SAMAR
Name
SAMAR
Type
Short-range Surface-to-air missile
Quantity
Unknown
(On order)
Origin
India
Notes
Status: On order. The system employs Vympel R-73 and Vympel R-27 air-to-air missiles, which are of Russian origin. User trials complete.
S-125 (SA-3 Goa)
S-125 (SA-3 Goa)
Name
S-125 (SA-3 Goa)
Type
25 Squadrons for IAF
Quantity
Soviet Union
Origin
Status: Being replaced by Akash. Mainly used for point-defense of airbases. Will be completely replaced by Akash NG and MRSAM by 2030
9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko)
9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko)
Name
9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko)
Type
80
Quantity
Soviet Union
Origin
Status: In service (To be replaced by QRSAM)
Man-portable air-defense systems
Man-portable air-defense systems
Name
Man-portable air-defense systems
9K38 Igla (SA-18)
9K338 Igla-S
9K38 Igla (SA-18)
9K338 Igla-S
Name
9K38 Igla (SA-18)
9K338 Igla-S
Type
Man-portable air-defense system
Quantity
2500
48 launchers
316 missiles
Origin
Russia
Notes
Status: In service. Igla-S deployed along LAC. Additional 96 launchers, 300 missiles of Igla-S on order.
Air defence - anti-aircraft gun systems
Air defence - anti-aircraft gun systems
Name
Air defence - anti-aircraft gun systems
Sudarshan CIWS
Sudarshan CIWS
Name
Sudarshan CIWS
Type
Close-in weapon system
Quantity
240 (to be ordered)
Origin
India
Notes
Status: In Service. Advanced version of Bofors L/70 manufactured by L&T Defence. System includes 3D AESA radar and has a range of 3.5 km and firing rate of 300 rounds/min. Two orders cleared:
₹6,000 crore (equivalent to ₹67 billion or US$800 million in 2023) order cleared for Indian Army in 2021.
₹7,000 crore (US$830 million) order cleared for 240 guns by CCS for Indian Air Force in 2024.
Status: In service. Dual-stage solid-fueled missile with final kinetic-kill stage. Target speed: 10 km/s. Flight Altitude: 1,200 km
Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems
Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV)
Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile
Unknown
India
Status: In service. Dual-stage solid-fueled missile. Flight Altitude: 150 km.
Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
Endo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile
Unknown
India
Status: In service.
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile
Unknown
India
Status: being replaced by Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV). Dual-stage liquid-fueled missile. It can intercept targets at 80 km altitude.
Air Defence Systems
S-400 Triumph
Long-range surface-to-air missile system
3 regiments Total 48 launchers
Russia
Status: In service. 2 more regiments' delivery by 2026. 400 km operational range. Each regiment will have two batteries with eight launchers each.
Barak-8 (MR-SAM)
Medium-range surface-to-air missile
18 squadrons
India Israel
Status: In service. MRSAM is a medium range air defence system with a max range of 70–80 km. It is used to counter aerial threats such as Fighter aircraft, helicopter, UAV etc. An Air Force Squadron consists of 3 TELs per Squadron.
Akash
15 squadrons (120 launchers)
India
Status: In service. Akash 1S has 40 km operational range and flight ceiling of 20 km. 2 regiments of Akash Prime on order for Army. Akash NG with increased range of 70–80 km is being tested.
SPYDER
Short and Medium range surface-to-air missile
18 Systems (Batteries)
Israel
Status: In service. 18 SPYDER-SRs Systems (Batteries) along with 750 Python-5 surface to air missiles (SAMs) and 750 Derby SAMs has been delivered. 50 km operational range and flight ceiling of 16 km. A typical battery consists one central command and control unit, six missile firing units, and a resupply vehicle.
SAMAR
Short-range Surface-to-air missile
Unknown (On order)
India
Status: On order. The system employs Vympel R-73 and Vympel R-27 air-to-air missiles, which are of Russian origin. User trials complete.
S-125 (SA-3 Goa)
25 Squadrons for IAF
Soviet Union
Status: Being replaced by Akash. Mainly used for point-defense of airbases. Will be completely replaced by Akash NG and MRSAM by 2030
9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko)
80
Soviet Union
Status: In service (To be replaced by QRSAM)
Man-portable air-defense systems
9K38 Igla (SA-18) 9K338 Igla-S
Man-portable air-defense system
2500 48 launchers 316 missiles
Russia
Status: In service. Igla-S deployed along LAC. Additional 96 launchers, 300 missiles of Igla-S on order.
Air defence - anti-aircraft gun systems
Sudarshan CIWS
Close-in weapon system
240 (to be ordered)
India
Status: In Service. Advanced version of Bofors L/70 manufactured by L&T Defence. System includes 3D AESA radar and has a range of 3.5 km and firing rate of 300 rounds/min. Two orders cleared: ₹6,000 crore (equivalent to ₹67 billion or US$800 million in 2023) order cleared for Indian Army in 2021. ₹7,000 crore (US$830 million) order cleared for 240 guns by CCS for Indian Air Force in 2024.
References
Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments
Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments
Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments. Called jemadar until 1965.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2025, p. 251.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2025, p. 256.
"Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD inks over Rs 9,100 crore contracts for improved Akash Weapon System & 12 Weapon Locating Radars Swathi (Plains) for Indian Army"
