All you need to know about Indian Air Force - Part1

Critical Analysis of our Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) formerly known as the Royal Indian Air Force(RIAF) came into being after India achieved in 1947 from the British rule. The Royal prefix was dropped in 1950 when India became a republic. Since 1950 till today this unit of the Indian Armed Forces has never looked back, and has and continues to march forward towards sophistication and state of the art technology.

Since independence IAF had been in four wars with Pakistan and one with China. India might have lost war with China due to improper military planning, but it had only grown stronger since then. Machines may have been old at that time but the valor and determination of these sons and daughters of the motherland have never faded, had never shaken and never will.  With 5 Operational Commands and 2 Functional Commands the Indian Air Force stands tall among the strongest Air forces of the world. 

With motto “Touch the Sky with Glory” the IAF currently holds 25 squadrons out of the original 42 planned. The top commanders of the IAF had taken the fast depleting rate of the Squadrons due to old fighter aircraft's decommissioning very seriously and as a result India successfully struck up the Rafale aircraft deal with France. With the 4^th generation fighter aircraft, Rafale to join IAF in 2016 IAF is all set to boost up the squadrons and increase its might. In this era of modern warfare, The Indian Air Force has not limited itself to just 4^th generation fighter planes, the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft(FGFA) program in collaboration with Russia will provide India with Sukhoi PAK-FA which will enable the IAF to prove its mettle when time need be.

Structure of IAF: 

Commands

The IAF currently holds its various commands in various parts of the country. The commands are divided into two categories, The Operational Commands and the Functional Commands. The Operational commands namely:

•     Central Air Command
•     Eastern Air Command
•     Western Air Command
•     Southern Air Command
•     South Western Air Command

Are used to carry out military operations within its area of operation. 

Whereas the Training commands :

•     Training Command
•      Maintenance Command

Aim at maintaining Combat Readiness. Within each operational command is a number of air groups, each air group is commanded by rank of Air Vice - Marshal. Also within each air group are several bases or stations, each of which is commanded by Air Commodore or Group Captain.

Wings

Between the Commands and Squadrons is an intermediate formation unit called Wing. Each wing comprises of 2 to 3 IAF squadrons and helicopter units along with Forwards Base Support Units. Wings are commanded by Group Captain.

Squadrons

Squadrons are units which are linked to static locations. They carry out the primary task of the IAF, the Fighter Squadrons are commanded by the Officers of Rank Wing Commander whereas the Transport and Helicopter Units are commanded by Officers of Rank Group Captain.

Flights
Flights are sub divisions of squadrons commanded by Squadron Leader.

These were some of the basic info on our Indian Air force. In the next part of this series we will look at the branches of Indian Air force and the latest developments. If you like our article do share it with your friends and follow us or subscribe for email notification here at the right side , so that you do not miss  on any update. Till then keep reading!!!

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About the Author: Shekhar Tanwar is a computer science engineer who is working with a renowned MNC and is a die heart defense aspirant. Guitar is his passion and he is very firm believer of physical fitness. This article is a way to help defense aspirants to present his critical views on the topic, on the forum so that collective exchange of thoughts can take place.