Top 10 Most Powerful Aircraft Of Indian Air Force, 2019 Edition

For now, the Indian Air Force is standing at the 4th position among the world’s largest air force by size. To secure Indian airspace as well as conducting aerial warfare, the IAF is pretty powerful with 1,40,000 personnel in active and a whopping 1820 active aircrafts. The list below will show you top 10 active aircraft in the IAF.

1. Sukhoi Su-30MKI

Price: Rs 358 crore

Engines: Two engines of Lyulka AI-31FP

The aircraft is an outstanding fighter with multi-roles which has been built under license by HAL and developed by Sukhoi in Russia. It has many abilities similar to the Sukhoi Su-35 with which it shares many features and components. The IAF now has 200 aircraft in service.

The Su-30MKI can do a maximum speed of 2,100 km/h. It’s equipped with the very best in terms of weapon ability. It also is the key model in IAF squad.

2. Dassault Rafale

Price: ₹715 crore

Engines:

The Dassault Rafale was built in France for multi roles. The fighter aircraft is developed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It has a unique delta-wing design.

The aircraft is able to reach a maximum speed of over 1,920 km/h. Some first few jets are supposed to arrive in India in mid-2019.

3. Mikoyan MiG-29

Price: Rs 170 crore-Rs 200 crore

Engines: Two engines of Klimov RD-33 turbofans

The jet fighter Mikoyan MiG-29 is developed in the Soviet Union. The IAF did make very first contracts over this aircraft model to use during the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir by the IAF.

The Mikoyan Mig-29 can perform a hypersonic speed of 2,400 km/h.

4. HAL Tejas

Price: Rs 463 crores

Engines: General Electric F404-GE-F2J3 turbofan

The HAL Tejas came from the Light Combat Aircraft program in the 1980s to replace India's old MiG-21 fighters. It’s a lightweight fighter jet designed with only single-seat for multi roles. The India-made HAL Tejas developed by Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the IAF.

The aircraft can fly with a speed of Mach 1.8 and at an altitude of 15,200 m.

5. SEPECAT Jaguar

Price:

Engines: Two engines of Rolls Royce / Turbomeca Adour MK 102 turbofans

The jet attack aircraft is derived from SEPECAT, a joint venture between Breguet and the British Aircraft Corporation. The IAF had signed a total of 40 of Jaguars in all and 120 aircraft built under license from HAL with the Indian local name "Shamsher".

The aircraft can boost a maximum speed of 1,700 km/h at a maximum altitude of 11,000 m.

6. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Price:

Engines: Single engine of Tumansky R25-300 turbofan engine

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is another Soviet Union aircraft active in the IAF. IT is a supersonic fighter jet designed by famous Russian developer Mikoyan Gurevich. With around 252 operational MiG-21 aircraft, the IAF is the third largest air force in the world that operates MiG-21.

The jet is one of the most robust aircraft in the world with a maximum speed of 2,175 km/h.

7. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

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Engines: Four engines of Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans

Since the 1980s, US Air Force has made contracts with aircraft developer McDonnell Douglas to develop a military aircraft for transportation, so the large-in-size C-17 Globe Master III was made. In February 2011, the IAF inked a deal with Boeing in order to bring ten of C17 aircraft to its squad.

In terms of tactical weapons and troops movement, C-17 is said to be one of the best aircraft that served in the IAF have a cruise speed of 830 km/h. The aircraft is powered by producing a 40,440-pound-force in each thrust.

8. Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

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Engines: Four engines of Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines

Lockheed Martin made the C-130J Super Hercules for transportation purposes. In early 2008, the IAF reportedly bought six C-130J Super Hercules. To upgrade the aircraft, IAF has added many customized equipment right after receiving it from Lockheed Martin.

The C-130J Super Hercules can achieve a top speed of 671 km/h.

9. Ilyushin IL-78

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Engines: Four engines of Aivadvigatel D-30KP turbofan engines

The IL-78 based on the predecessor IL-76 is a four-engine aircraft made by Soviet. The IAF started receiving two of the first aircraft in earlier 2003, but those aircraft were public for the first time in the Air Force Day Parade in late that year.

The IL-78 can reach a top speed of 850 km/h, thanks to its strong powerplants. In addition, the aircraft was used for some specific purposes such as air-to-air refueling so most of all IAF’s helicopters and aircraft can be refueled by IL-78.