The IAF operates a wide range of fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In this post, we will discuss all Fighter Jets that Indian Air Force have or had in detailed one by one.
Categories of IAF Fighter Jets
IAF fighter jets are classified into generations based on their technology level:
| Generation | Aircraft | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Generation | MiG-21 (being phased out) | Supersonic, basic radar |
| 4th Generation | MiG-29, Mirage 2000, Jaguar | Advanced avionics, multi-role |
| 4.5th Generation | Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas Mk1A | Supercruise, AESA radar, BVR missiles |
List of active Indian Military Aircraft
| S.No. | Aircraft Name | Type / Role | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SEPECAT Jaguar | Deep penetration strike aircraft | Low-level attack missions, nuclear-capable, “Shamsher” |
| 2 | MiG-29UPG | Air superiority fighter | High maneuverability, upgraded avionics, dogfighting |
| 3 | MH-60R Seahawk | Multi-role naval helicopter | Anti-submarine & anti-surface warfare, advanced sensors |
| 4 | HAL Chetak | Light utility helicopter | Rescue, transport, training, based on Alouette III |
| 5 | C-130J Super Hercules | Military transport aircraft | Short runway landing, special ops, heavy cargo transport |
| 6 | Il-78MKI + Mirage 2000 | Refueling tanker + fighter | Mid-air refueling, extends mission range |
Major Fighter Jets of the IAF – Detailed Overview
1. Sukhoi Su-30MKI
The Su-30MKI is the backbone of the Indian Air Force. It is a twin-engine, multirole air superiority fighter jointly developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and India’s HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). It is one of the most capable fighter jets in Asia.
- Origin: Russia/India
- Type: Multirole Fighter
- Engines: 2 × AL-31FP
- Speed: Mach 2
- Range: 3,000 km
- Inducted: 2002
Exam Tip: Su-30MKI is manufactured in India by HAL under licence. India operates the largest fleet of Su-30MKIs outside Russia.
2. Dassault Rafale
The Rafale is a French-made twin-engine, canard delta wing multirole fighter aircraft. India signed a deal with France to buy 36 Rafale jets in 2016. The first batch arrived in India in July 2020 at Ambala Air Force Station.
- Origin: France
- Type: Multirole Fighter
- Engines: 2 × SNECMA M88
- Speed: Mach 1.8
- Range: 3,700 km
- Inducted: 2020
Exam Tip: Rafale is a 4.5 generation jet. India’s Rafales are equipped with METEOR BVR missiles and SCALP cruise missiles. Rafale” means “gust of wind” in French.
3. HAL Tejas
Tejas is India’s own indigenously designed and developed light combat aircraft (LCA). It was developed by ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) and manufactured by HAL. Tejas is India’s pride — a symbol of Make in India in defence.
- Origin: India (HAL/ADA)
- Type: Light Combat Aircraft
- Engine: GE F404
- Speed: Mach 1.6
- Range: 500 km
- Inducted: 2016
Exam Tip: Tejas Mk1 is inducted. Tejas Mk1A is the upgraded version with AESA radar — 83 aircraft ordered by IAF. Tejas Mk2 (MRFA) is under development. Tejas Mk1 is inducted into No. 45 Squadron “Flying Daggers” and No. 18 Squadron “Flying Bullets”.
4. Mirage 2000 (Vajra)
The Mirage 2000 is a French-origin delta wing multirole fighter. It played a crucial role in the Kargil War (1999) where it was used to bomb Pakistani positions with laser-guided bombs at high altitude.
- Origin: France (Dassault)
- Type: Multirole Fighter
- Engine: SNECMA M53
- Speed: Mach 2.2
- Range: 1,550 km
- Inducted: 1985
Exam Tip: Mirage 2000 used in both Kargil War (1999) and Balakot airstrike (Feb 2019). IAF name “Vajra”. Operated by No. 1 Squadron “Tigers” and No. 7 Squadron “Battle Axes”.
5. MiG-29 Fulcrum
The MiG-29 is a Soviet/Russian-origin twin-engine air superiority fighter. In IAF service it is used primarily for air defence and air superiority missions. The Indian Navy also operates MiG-29K from aircraft carriers.
- Origin: Russia (MiG)
- Type: Air Superiority Fighter
- Engines: 2 × RD-33
- Speed: Mach 2.25
- Range: 1,430 km
- Inducted: 1987
Exam Tip: MiG-29K is the carrier-based variant operated by the Indian Navy from INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. IAF MiG-29 is called “Baaz”. NATO reporting name is “Fulcrum”.
6. SEPECAT Jaguar
The Jaguar is a ground attack and maritime strike aircraft jointly developed by the UK and France. In IAF service it is called “Shamsher” (Sword). It is used primarily for deep penetration strikes and anti-ship missions.
- Origin: UK / France
- Type: Strike Aircraft
- Engines: 2 × Adour Mk811
- Speed: Mach 1.6
- Range: 1,593 km
- Inducted: 1979
Exam Tip: SEPECAT = Société Européenne de Production de l’Avion d’École de Combat et d’Appui Tactique. IAF name “Shamsher”. Being phased out and replaced by Tejas Mk2.
7. MiG-21
The MiG-21 is the oldest and most widely used fighter in IAF history. It has been in service since 1963 and is now being phased out. The upgraded version MiG-21 Bison was modernised with a new radar and weapons. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew a MiG-21 Bison in the 2019 aerial engagement with Pakistan.
- Origin: Russia (MiG)
- Type: Interceptor Fighter
- Engine: Tumansky R-25
- Speed: Mach 2.05
- Range: 1,160 km
- Inducted: 1963 (phasing out)
Exam Tip: MiG-21 Bison — Wg Cdr Abhinandan shot down a Pakistani F-16 in Feb 2019 aerial combat before being captured and returned. MiG-21 is being fully retired and replaced by Tejas.
Quick Comparison Table – All IAF Fighter Jets
| Aircraft | Origin | IAF Nickname | Meaning | Role | Speed | Inducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Su-30MKI | Russia/India | – | – | Multirole / Air Superiority | Mach 2.0 | 2002 |
| Rafale | France | Omnirole Fighter | – | Multirole | Mach 1.8 | 2020 |
| Tejas Mk1 | India | – | – | Light Combat Aircraft | Mach 1.6 | 2016 |
| Mirage 2000 | France | Vajra | Thunderbolt | Multirole / Strike | Mach 2.2 | 1985 |
| MiG-29 | Russia | Baaz | Eagle | Air Superiority | Mach 2.25 | 1987 |
| Jaguar | UK/France | Shamsher | Sword | Ground Attack / Strike | Mach 1.6 | 1979 |
| MiG-21 | Russia | Bison | – | Interceptor (phasing out) | Mach 2.05 | 1963 |
MiG-27 also known as Bahadur.
Important Operations – Fighter Jets in Action
1. Kargil War (1999) – Operation Safed Sagar
The IAF played a vital role in the Kargil War. Mirage 2000 jets were used to bomb enemy bunkers and supply lines at high altitudes using laser-guided bombs. MiG-27 and MiG-21 aircraft also flew missions. This was the first time IAF jets were used in an actual war since 1971.
2. Balakot Airstrike (February 2019)
In February 2019, IAF Mirage 2000 jets crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and struck a terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan. This was a major milestone — the first Indian airstrike inside Pakistan since the 1971 war. The mission was named Operation Bandar.
🎯 AFCAT/NDA Exam Tip: Questions on Balakot airstrike, Kargil War air operations and the aircraft used are common. Remember — Mirage 2000 was used in both Kargil and Balakot. Rafale was NOT used in Balakot (inducted later in 2020).
India’s Indigenous Aircraft Programme
| Aircraft | Developer | Status | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tejas Mk1 | HAL / ADA | In Service | First indigenous fighter jet |
| Tejas Mk1A | HAL | Production (83 ordered) | AESA radar, better EW suite |
| Tejas Mk2 (MRFA) | HAL / ADA | Under Development | Heavier, more powerful engine |
| AMCA | ADA / HAL | Design Phase | 5th generation stealth fighter |
📌 AMCA – Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
- India’s first 5th generation stealth fighter under development
- Developed by ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency)
- Will feature stealth technology, supercruise and internal weapons bay
- Expected to be ready around 2035
- Will replace ageing MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 fleets
Quick Memory Trick
- Jaguar → Attack
- MiG-29 → Fighter
- Seahawk → Navy Ops
- Chetak → Utility
- C-130J → Transport
- Il-78 → Refueling
Practice MCQs – Fighter Jets (NDA / CDS / AFCAT)
🎯 Set 1 – Basic Level (15 Questions)
Q1. Which fighter jet was used in the Balakot airstrike of February 2019?
- Su-30MKI
- Mirage 2000
- Rafale
- Tejas
✅ Answer: B – Mirage 2000 (Operation Bandar, Feb 2019)
Q2. HAL Tejas is developed by which Indian agency?
- DRDO
- ISRO
- ADA – Aeronautical Development Agency
- BEL
✅ Answer: C – ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency)
Q3. What is the IAF nickname of the Jaguar aircraft?
- Vajra
- Baaz
- Shamsher
- Bison
✅ Answer: C – Shamsher (meaning Sword)
Q4. India signed a deal to purchase 36 Rafale jets from which country?
- USA
- Russia
- Israel
- France
✅ Answer: D – France (deal signed September 2016)
Q5. Which is India’s first indigenously developed 5th generation stealth fighter (under development)?
- Tejas Mk2
- AMCA
- Su-57
- FGFA
✅ Answer: B – AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)
Q6. What is the IAF nickname of the Mirage 2000 aircraft?
- Shamsher
- Baaz
- Vajra
- Tejas
✅ Answer: C – Vajra (meaning Thunderbolt)
Q7. The first batch of Rafale jets arrived in India at which Air Force Station?
- Hasimara
- Ambala
- Hindan
- Srinagar
✅ Answer: B – Ambala Air Force Station (July 2020)
Q8. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew which aircraft in the February 2019 aerial engagement?
- Su-30MKI
- Mirage 2000
- MiG-21 Bison
- Rafale
✅ Answer: C – MiG-21 Bison
Q9. What does “MKI” stand for in Su-30MKI?
- Multi-role Kinetic Interceptor
- Modernizirovanny Kommercheskiy Indiiskiy
- Modern Kinetic Indian
- None of the above
✅ Answer: B – Modernizirovanny Kommercheskiy Indiiskiy (Modernised Commercial Indian)
Q10. What is the NATO reporting name of MiG-29?
- Fishbed
- Flogger
- Fulcrum
- Flanker
✅ Answer: C – Fulcrum
Q11. The IAF air operation during the Kargil War (1999) was named:
- Operation Bandar
- Operation Vijay
- Operation Safed Sagar
- Operation Meghdoot
✅ Answer: C – Operation Safed Sagar
Q12. Which aircraft is called the “backbone” of the Indian Air Force?
- Rafale
- MiG-29
- Tejas
- Su-30MKI
✅ Answer: D – Su-30MKI (largest and most capable fleet)
Q13. What does “Tejas” mean in Sanskrit?
- Thunder
- Sword
- Radiance / Brilliance
- Victory
✅ Answer: C – Radiance / Brilliance. Name given by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Q14. How many Rafale jets did India order from France?
- 18
- 36
- 54
- 72
✅ Answer: B – 36 Rafale jets
Q15. The MiG-29K naval variant operates from which Indian aircraft carrier?
- INS Viraat
- INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya
- INS Chakra
- INS Arihant
✅ Answer: B – INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya
🔥 Set 2 – Advanced Level (5 Questions)
Q16. How many Tejas Mk1A aircraft has IAF ordered from HAL?
- 40
- 63
- 83
- 114
✅ Answer: C – 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft
Q17. Which missile on IAF Rafale has a range of over 150 km and is one of the world’s best BVR missiles?
- Astra
- Python-5
- MICA
- Meteor
✅ Answer: D – Meteor BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile
Q18. The name “Rafale” in French means:
- Lightning bolt
- Gust of wind
- Eagle
- Thunder
✅ Answer: B – Gust of wind / Squall
Q19. India’s first indigenously DESIGNED fighter jet was:
- HAL Tejas
- HAL HF-24 Marut
- HAL Ajeet
- HAL Kiran
✅ Answer: B – HAL HF-24 Marut (1961, designed by Kurt Tank). Tejas is first modern LCA.
Q20. Which IAF squadron was first to receive Tejas Mk1?
- No. 1 Squadron “Tigers”
- No. 45 Squadron “Flying Daggers”
- No. 7 Squadron “Battle Axes”
- No. 18 Squadron “Flying Bullets”
✅ Answer: B – No. 45 Squadron “Flying Daggers” at Sulur, Tamil Nadu