The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates a diverse fleet designed to handle both tactical strikes and air superiority. The current strategy focuses on high-low mix—pairing high-end heavy fighters with lighter, indigenous aircraft.
HAL Tejas (LCA)
The HAL Tejas is India's first indigenous light combat aircraft. Developed by ADA and manufactured by HAL, the Tejas is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter with a delta-wing design.
- Tejas Mk1A: The current production variant with AESA radar, EW suite, and advanced BVR missiles.
- Tejas Mk2: A medium-weight fighter currently under development with a more powerful engine and larger payload.
Sukhoi Su-30MKI
The backbone of the IAF, the Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, long-range air dominance fighter. Modified specifically for India, it features thrust-vectoring engines and a wide array of Indo-Russian weaponry, including the air-launched BrahMos supersonic missile.
Dassault Rafale
The 36 Rafale jets (Omnirole) have brought a game-changing edge to the IAF with their superior electronic warfare suites (SPECTRA), long-range METEOR BVR missiles, and SCALP cruise missiles.
The Future: HAL AMCA
India's 5th-generation stealth fighter project, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is the nation's answer to the F-35 and J-20. It will feature:
- Serpentine Intakes
- Internal Weapon Bays
- DSI (Diverterless Supersonic Intake)
- Supercruise capability