The Air Force of every country is a revered military unit that serves many purposes. The Air Force helps in not only defending the borders and keeping citizens safeguarded but also uplifting the valour and morale of the entire country. For long Air Force aircraft in India have been used for displaying the might and boundless strength of the country. Fly-pasts by fighter jets, aerial flower shower, performances by military bands have made the people more confident and comfortable. Along with these extravagant fly past displays, the air force has participated in several wars and landmark missions. Here’s a list of the Top 10 military aircraft of India:
1. Dassault Rafale The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. It assists in various areas like ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship and nuclear deterrence fighter aircraft and is equipped with a wide range of weapons.
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2. Sukhoi SU-30MKI SU-30MKI is a twin-seater twin-engine multirole fighter of Russian origin that carries One X 30mm GSH gun along with 8000 kg external armament. It is capable of carrying a variety of medium-range guided air to air missiles with active or semi-active radar or Infra-red homing close range missiles. It has a max speed of 2500 km/hr. The Su-30MKI is a twinjet multirole air superiority, all-weather, long-range fighter aircraft of the IAF.
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3. HAL Tejas LCA The Tejas is an indigenously developed, single-engine, fourth-generation, high-agility, multirole, supersonic light combat aircraft. Back in the 1980s, HAL started the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme to replace the ageing Soviet sourced MiG-21. Till now IAF has placed an order of 40 Tejas Mk 1, including 32 single-seat aircraft and eight twin-seat trainers. IAF has also initiated procurement of a further 73 single-seat fighters in Mk 1A configuration.
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4. Dassault Mirage-2000 Mirage-2000 is single-seater air defence and multi-role fighter of French origin powered by a single engine that can attain a max speed of 2495 km/hr. It carries two 30 mm integral cannons and two matras super 530D medium-range and two R-550 magic II close combat missiles on external stations. The Mirage-2000 is undoubtedly one of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) most versatile and deadliest aircraft and it was first commissioned in 1985.
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5. Mikoyan MiG-29 MiG-29 is a twin-engine, single-seater air superiority fighter aircraft of Russian origin capable of attaining max. speed of 2445 km per hour. It has a combat ceiling of 17 km. It carries a 30 mm cannon along with four R-60 close combat and two R-27 R medium-range radar-guided missiles.
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6. Mikoyan MiG-21 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. The first supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history, the MiG 21 is one of the most known fighter jets on Earth. The MiG 21 has a single-seater cockpit with a maximum speed of 1300 kmph.
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7. SEPECAT Jaguar The SEPECAT Jaguar is a fighter jet developed together by British Royal Air Force and French Air Force. A twin-engine, single seater deep penetration strike aircraft that has a maximum speed of 1350 km /hr. It has two 30mm guns and can carry two R-350 Magic CCMs (overwing) along with 4750 kg of external stores (bombs/fuel). The SEPECAT Jaguar is known as Shamsher and serves IAF as the primary ground attack aircraft.
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8. Embraer EMB-145 AEW&C The EMB-145 AEW&C is a derivative of the Embraer ERJ-145 regional jetliner airframe, modified with the integration of an airborne early warning radar and mission system. The DRDO Airborne Early Warning and Control System is a project of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation to develop an airborne early warning and control system for the Indian Air Force. The aircraft incorporates a reinforced airframe, new navigation and communication systems, an enhanced auxiliary power unit (APU), increased fuel capacity and a revised interior layout.
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9. Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The cargo bay of the C-130J has a total usable volume of more than 4,500ft³ and can accommodate loads up to 37,216lb. The Indian Air Force currently operates a fleet of five C-130J-30s. India has placed an order for additional six C-130J-30s Super Hercules aircraft.
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10. Boeing C-17 Globemaster Boeing C-17 Globemaster is a high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft. The multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions. The Indian Air Force has a fleet of 11 C-17 Globemaster IIIs.
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