The Indian Air Force (IAF) was founded on 8 October 1932 in British India as an auxiliary air force. The main purpose of the Indian airforce is to defend the nation and its airspace against air threats in coordination with Army and Navy. Indian Air Force is also the fourth largest air force in the world. To compete in the global world Indian Air Force is provided with some of the best aircraft in the world. Without further delay let us take a look at the best aircraft the Indian Airforce has:
10. Ilyushin il 78
Ilyushin il 78 is a four-engined aerial refueling tanker used for air to air refueling purposes. The Indian airforce first received this aircraft in 2003. The aircraft uses a standardized suspended refueling system two on pylons under the outer wings, and the third on the port side of the rear fuselage. The aircraft can hit a top speed of 850 kilometers per hour and can refuel all Indian air force aircraft.
9. C-130J Super Hercules:
The Super Hercules is a transport aircraft made by American company Lockheed Martin. The Indian Air Force received the first six of these aircraft back in 2008. This aircraft was essentially used by Indian army special forces. This aircraft is powered by four Rolls Royce AE2100 d3 turboprop engines. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 671 kilometers an hour.
8. C-71 Globemaster III
The C-71 Globemaster is a large military-strategic transport aircraft able to airlift cargo close to a battle area. The aircraft provides strategic airlift and the ability to deploy special forces, such as during national emergencies, and can be operated in diverse terrain. The Indian airforce first ordered this aircraft in February 2011. The aircraft is powered by four Pratt & Whitney f117 PW100 turbofans. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 829 kilometers per hour.
7. MiG-21
At number seven comes MiG-21, it is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft designed by Mikoyan-Gurevich. The Indian airforce is the third-largest operator of MiG-21 in the world. The aircraft could bring a fair amount of armaments Located to the left of the cockpit, the twin-barreled GSh-23 23 millimeter cannon was standard with 420 rounds. The MiG-21 is powered by a single Tumansky R-25 turbofan engine. The aircraft is superfast reaching 2,229 kilometers per hour.
6. SEPECAT Jaguar
The SEPECAT Jaguar is an attack aircraft, the Indian air force had ordered 40 aircraft build in Europe and later 120 licensed build aircraft from HAL(Hindustan Aeronautical Limited). The aircraft uses two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour turbofan engines producing 5115 pounds of thrust each. This aircraft can hit a top speed of 1699 kilometers an hour.
5. HAL Tejas
HAL Tejas is single-seat multirole lightweight fighter jet aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited. This aircraft is mainly used by the Indian airforce and Indian Navy. The aircraft is powered by one General Electric 85kN F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine with afterburn. The aircraft can fly at a top speed of 2205 kilometers an hour and climb a maximum altitude of 15200 meters.
4. Dassault Mirage 2000
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. The Indian airforce purchased 49 Mirage 2000 in the 80s. the Indian government then decided to purchase 10 more of these aircraft in 2010. The aircraft powered by single SN ECMA M53 P2 afterburning turbofan. The aircraft can hit a top speed of 2336 kilometers an hour.
3. Mikoyan MiG-29
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft designed and developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s. The Indian airforce was the first international buyer of the MiG-29. The aircraft is powered by twin KlimovRD-33 turbofan engines. The aircraft can fly at a top speed of 2400 kilometers an hour.
2. Dassault Rafale
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. In 2012 the Dassault Rafale was preferred by the Indian airforce as an Omni role fighter jet. The aircraft is powered with two Snecma M88 engines. It can fly at a top speed of 1900 kilometers an hour.
1. Sukhoi Su-30MKI
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi. The Indian Airforce has 200 of these aircraft in service. The aircraft has a Saturn AL-31 engine. The jet can achieve a top speed of 2001 kilometers an hour. It is equipped with the best armaments and it is the best aircraft the Indian airforce has.
