About INDIAN AIRFORCE

The Indian Air Force (IAF; Devanāgarī: भारतीय वायु सेना, Bharatiya Vāyu Senā) is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II. After India achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Dominion of India, with the prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950. Since independence, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay – the annexation of Goa,Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai. Apart from conflicts, the IAF has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The President of India Pranab Mukherjee serves as the ex-officio Commander-in-Chief of the IAF. The Chief of Air Staff, an Air Chief Marshal (ACM), is a four-star commander and commands the Air Force. There is never more than one serving ACM at any given time in the IAF. One officer Arjan Singh, DFC has been conferred the rank of Marshal of the Air Force, a five-star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief. In its publication the Military Balance 2010, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates that the Indian Air Force has a strength of 127,000 active personnel. However, various reliable sources provided notably divergent estimates of its strength over the years. Flightglobal estimates there to be to 1,499 aircraft in active service during 2013/2014.

Indian Air Force Bharatiya Vayu Sena
Founded	8 October 1932
Country	India
Size	127,000 personnel Approx. 1,499 aircraft
Part of	Ministry of Defence Indian Armed Forces
Headquarters	New Delhi, India
Motto	"नभःस्पृशं दीप्तम्" Translation:"Touch the Sky with Glory"
Colors	Navy blue, sky blue & white
Anniversaries	Air Force Day: 8 October
Engagements	Notable Operations World War II Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Congo Crisis Operation Vijay Sino-Indian War Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Operation Poomalai Operation Pawan Operation Cactus Kargil War
Website	indianairforce.nic.in
Commanders
Chief of Air Staff	Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha
Vice Chief of Air Staff	Air Marshal RK Sharma
Insignia
Air Force Ensign
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
Attack	Jaguar, MiG-27, Harpy
Fighter	MiG-21, Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas
Helicopter	Dhruv, Chetak, Cheetah, Mi-8, Mi-17,Mi-26, Mi-25/35, AgustaWestland AW101
Reconnaissance	Searcher II, Heron
Trainer	HPT-32 Deepak, HJT-16 Kiran,Hawk Mk 132, Pilatus C-7 Mk II
Transport	C-17 Globemaster III, Il-76, An-32,HS 748, Do 228, Boeing 737, ERJ 135, Il-78 MKI, C-130J