TheIndian Air Force has been undergoing a modernization program to replace and upgrade outdated equipment since the late 1990s to meet modern standards. For that reason, it has started procuring and developing aircraft, weapons, associated technologies, and infrastructures. Some of these programs date back to the late 1980s. The primary focus of current modernization and upgrades is to replace aircraft purchased from theSoviet Union that currently form the backbone of the air force.
The Indian Air Force plans to attain a 42 squadron strength by 2035 and deploy 450 fighter jets each along theborders of Pakistanand China. The IAF will also acquire large numbers of stealthy autonomous UCAVs (DRDO Ghatak), swarm drones (ALFA-S) and uncrewed aircraft to transform into a fully advanced network-centric force capable of sustained multi-role operations along the entire spectrum. As of September 2024, the Indian Air Force also plans to indigenize their entire fighter jet fleet by 2042.[1]
However, the 42 squadron strength target timeline has been derailed. As of October 2025, there are 29 combat squadrons are active and only 35-36 squadron strength can be achieved by 2035 even if projects like theTejas Mk1A,Tejas Mk2 andMRFA succeeds on time.[2]
Additionally, as per the “Unmanned Force Plan” published in July 2025, the Indian Air Force plans to acquire 30–50 units of small, medium or large categoryUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) within the next three to five years for "specific combat roles". The goal is to create a future-proof unmanned aircraft fleet. This was also announced by Air Commodore (Operations)Sandeep Singh.[3]
In 2023, the IAF submitted a proposal to rename itself as theIndian Air and Space Force (IASF). The proposal is a part of the IAF's goals to become a credible space force. This proposal is part of the IAF's plan to expand its role in space-related activities, including precision navigation, timing (PNT),intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR),space traffic management,space situational awareness, and space weather prediction.[4] The IAF aims to collaborate with organizations including theIndian Space Research Organisation, (ISRO),IN-SPACe, and India's private space sector to further its space related objectives. India plans to have over 100 small and large military satellites under the aegis ofDefence Space Agency which is expected to be established as full fledged Space Command within seven to eight years.[5][4] The IAF started training personnel, in 2023, to operate in space by incorporating theoretical studies at institutions such as theCollege of Air Warfare.[6] In 2024,Air Chief MarshalVivek Ram Chaudhari, stated that the IAF has revised its existing doctrine and has recognized space as a critical domain for future operations.[7]
The IAF is increasing procuring and developing space related equipment and assets.
On 17 December 2024, a parliamentary panel report stated that the Indian Air Force has a combat fleet strength of 31 squadrons against a minimal requirement of 42 squadrons. The fall of squadron strength is due to the retirement of multiple ageing aircraft likeMiG-21,MiG-23 andMiG-27 in 2000s and 2010s without replacement. However, "multi-pronged" approaches are being taken to "minimise the impact" as per the report. The depletion of squadron strength is planned to be addressed by the procurement ofHAL Tejas,HAL Tejas Mk2 and theMRFA programme.[10][11]
By 23 December, theMinistry of Defence formed a high-level committee chaired byDefence SecretaryRajesh Kumar Singh. The committee was tasked with proposing a new Road Map to address the critical capability gap of the Air Force. There were a shortage of not only fighter jets but also force multipliers likeAEW&C,mid-flight refuellers andISR aircraft. The report of the panel was to be submitted by January-end 2025 after surveying the IAF's "overall capability development through several indigenous design and development as well as direct acquisition projects". Members of the panel includedDRDO chairmanSamir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence Production Sanjeev Kumar andDeputy Chief of the Air StaffAir Marshal Tejinder Singh among others. Stalled fighter aircraft acquisition includes 83Tejas Mk1A on order and theMRFA programme. The Tejas programme was being delayed due to the supply delay of F-404 engines. The procurement of force multipliers will also be evaluated. India has only 6 Il-78MKI aircraft inducted in 2003-04 against a requirement of at least 18 such aircraft which are necessary to enhance operational range of combat aircraft. Also, IAF operates only 3Netra andPhalconAWACS (inducted in 2009-11) each. Programmes like the Netra Mk1A and Mk2 needed to be fast-tracked as well.[12][13]
Additional ageing aircraft to be retired, including:[2]
Another high-level committee was constituted also chaired by the Defence Secretary in early February 2025 with the objective to "streamline the production of indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) and enhance the role of the private sector in making the fighter jets". Other members from all stakeholders including the Indian Air Force andHindustan Aeronautics Limited are part of the committee. The committee has been repeatedly tasked to "scrutinising the current production capacity, constraints being faced and requirements of the Air Force" and submit its report within a month.[15][16]
The Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of IAF submitted its report to the Ministry of Defence on 3 March 2025 after delays from the initial deadline of end of January. The committee suggested that the private sector should complement DefencePublic Sector Undertakings (DPSU), DRDO and other government agencies in the defense and aerospace sector and also set some recommendations to be implemented in the "short, medium and long-term so as to achieve the desired capability enhancement goals of lAF in an optimal manner".[17][18][19]
As of 17 March 2025, reports suggested that another top level committee was evaluating a "clear-cut strategy and production-cum-business model" to accelerate the development ofAdvanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The committee is chaired by the Defence Secretary and its members include Secretary of Defence Production,Vice Chief of the Air StaffAir MarshalSP Dharkar and top officials fromAeronautical Development Agency (ADA) andDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The committee, tasked to devise a plan to "shrink timelines" to get AMCA from drawing board to air as well as the high thrust indigenous engine development, is expected to be its report submitted in April.[20][21][22]
Following the ceremonial retirement ofMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 from active service, the Air Force would be left with only 29 squadrons, lower than the squadron strength of the Air Force duringIndo-Pakistani war of 1965 when the IAF had 32 squadrons.[23]
During theParliament Winter Session in 2024, theComptroller and Auditor General published a report to highlight the increased deficiencies in pilot training in the IAF. As per the report, the IAF had a deficit of 486 combat pilots in February 2015 and had plans to induct 222 pilots per year until 2021. However, initial annual intake ranged between 158 and 204 trainees and that after wastage ranged between 124 to 167, increasing the deficit to 596 by 2021. The pilot to seat ratio is 1.25:1 which, though enough for peacetime service, is too low for intense ops. Also, it was reported that the aircraft use for training pilots for all three streams (combat, helicopter and transport) was done on older aircraft. In case of fixed wing training, the planned procurement of 296 trainer aircraft by 2016 including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft and 73 Intermediate Trainer Jets have stalled. The procurement, if successful, would have given enough training resources to the IAF until 2036. In case of rotary stream, pilots are being trained onHAL Chetak which was inducted half a decade ago.[24][25]
In 2024, the Super Sukhoi project — a programme to upgrade IAF's Su-30MKI, considered the backbone of its fleet — was first announced. The upgrade included the introduction ofAESA radars, long-range weapons andelectronic warfare suite (EWS) to the fleet in order to extend its service life by 30 years. Additionally, the Su-30MKI will haveSuppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) capabilities along with offensives against ground targets in contested airspace.[26][27] The upgrade is to be carried out byHindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with the support ofDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and several private companies. Overall, 51 systems are to be upgraded including 30 by HAL, 13 by DRDO and 8 by private sector companies. The Indian indigenous content shall be increased to 78%. The upgrade is to allow the fighter to remain in service beyond 2055.[28][29][30]
Under this upgrade, many older Russian subsystems will be replaced by more modern Indian subsystems. Initially, around 90 aircraft will be upgraded to these standards. According to a report, "The project is divided into two phases, focusing initially on installing new avionics and radars, followed by enhancements to the flight control systems." "The upgrade will see significant private sector participation, with HAL as the lead integrator," CMD of HAL CB Ananthakrishnan said.[28]
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the₹66,829crore (US$7.9 billion) upgrade programme on 30 November 2023.[31][30]
As of November 2024, the financial aspects of the upgrade programme is being assessed. This will be followed by government clearance, which is expected early 2025. The first phase of the project, will include the upgradation of 84 jets which will take 15 years including testing and certification process followed by the upgrade process will take 5 to 7 years.[26][30]
The project is likely to be reviewed in the first week of July 2025, by the DAC under theMinistry of Defence during a scheduled meeting.[32][33][34] As of late October 2025, the ministry was examining the proposal to fast-track its clearance from theCabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The CCS approval will be followed by the design and development phase. HAL has set a timeline to deliver theinitial operational clearance (IOC) and final operational clearance (FOC) version within the fifth and seventh year of CCS nod, respectively. The upgraded aircraft will receive a redesigned cockpit along with new avionics, radars and IR sensors, a new electronic warfare suite including jammer pods.[35]| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | Units | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| HAL Tejas |  India | Multirole | Mk1A | 73 | On order | [36] |
| 97 | Cleared for procurement | [37] | ||||
| Su-30MKI | India | Multirole | 12 | On order | [38] | |
| MMRCA 2.0 | Multirole | 114 | Planned | All 114 aircraft are to be manufactured in India. As of July, 2024; no company has won the tender. Likely chosen to be theDassault Rafale. | ||
| AWACS | ||||||
| Netra Mk 1A (EMB145) | India | AEW&C | Mk1A | 6[39][40][41] | Under development | Based onEMB 145 airframe. |
| Netra Mk 2 (Airbus A321) | India | AEW&C | Mk2 | 6[39][40][41] | Based onAirbus A321 airframe. | |
| Helicopters | ||||||
| HAL Prachand | India | Attack | 66[42] | Ordered | ||
| HAL Light Utility Helicopter | India | Utility | 6[43] | Ordered | 6 units are being built under Limited Series Production (LSP). | |
| Trainer aircraft | ||||||
| HAL Tejas | India | Conversion Trainer | Mk1 | 8 | In production | 6 delivered[44] |
| Mk1A | 10 | [44] | ||||
| HAL HTT-40 | India | Trainer | 70[45] | Ordered | 70 ordered worth ₹6,800 crore (US$900 million);Option for 35 more | |
| Transport aircraft | ||||||
| EADS CASA C-295 |  Spain | Transport | C-295MW | 44[46][47] | In production | 12 delivered of total 56. First 16 C295s will be assembled by Airbus in Seville, Spain, while the remaining 40 will be built in partnership withTASL in Vadodara, India |
| Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) | Transport | 40-80[48][49][50] | Planned | In 2022, the Ministry of Defense issued Request For Information (RFI) for procurement of Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) for IAF. Contenders:Embraer C-390,Airbus A400M andLockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. | ||
| Reconnaissance | ||||||
| ISTAR aircraft | India | ISTAR | 3 | Planned | [51] | |
| Flight Refueling Aircraft | ||||||
| Boeing 767 |  United States | Aerial Refueler | KC-767 MRTT | 6 | Planned | As per reports on Oct 28, 2025, the contract worth ₹8,000 crore is expected to be signed withIsrael Aerospace Industries to convert 6 second-hand Boeing 767s to Aerial Tankers soon.[citation needed] |
On 3 February 2021, theMinistry of Defence signed the contract with HAL for the procurement of 83 advancedHAL Tejas aircraft, which includes 73 Mark 1A and 10 Mark 1 trainer variants with advanced AESA Radars, jammers, superior avionics, next-genBVR missiles, better payload, and enhanced combat range.[52]
On 30 November 2023, DAC accorded AoNs for the procurement of additional 97 Tejas Mk 1A for the IAF from HAL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category[53][54]
On 3 January 2017,Minister of DefenceManohar Parrikar addressed a media conference and announced plans for a competition to select a strategic partner to deliver "200 new single-engine fighters to be made in India, which will easily cost aroundUS$45 million apiece without weaponry" with an expectation thatLockheed Martin (USA) andSaab (Sweden) will pitch theGeneral Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 70 andSaab JAS 39 Gripen, respectively. This procurement programme is called the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) in the Indian media.[55]
An MoD official said that a global tender will be put to market in the first quarter of 2018, with a private company nominated as the strategic partner's production agency followed by a two-or-more-year process to evaluate technical and financial bids and conduct trials, before the final government-to-government deal in 2021. This represents 11 squadrons of aircraft plus several 'attrition' aircraft.
However, the plan to acquire foreign-made single-engine fighters was replaced by induction indigenous aircraft Tejas of different variants.[56]
Later the competition was declared to be exclusively open for twin-engine fighters ofRafale category.[57]The contenders are Dassault Rafale,Eurofighter Typhoon,Mikoyan MiG-35,Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet,Sukhoi Su-35,Boeing F-15EX Eagle II,Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F andLockheed Martin F-21 (variant ofF-16). NB Gripen and F-21 are single-engined. It is being rumored that both Russian aircraft are disqualified but Russia might re-enter in 2025 with theirSukhoi Su-75 after the Aero India 2025. As of November 2024, the MRFA procurement of 114 combat aircraft is delayed, and the requirements of the programme include the aircraft to be license-manufactured in India with substantial transfer of technology.[55]
Airbus Defence and Space andTata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56C-295 transport aircraft under theMake in India initiative in the aerospace sector. Under the contract, Airbus will supply the first 16 aircraft in flyaway condition while the remaining 40 will be assembled in India by TASL, the officials said. The procurement of 56 C-295 from Airbus with the participation of an Indian production agency for the manufacture of 40 aircraft (out of a total of 56) in India is at the financial approval stage and the contract is likely to be signed in the near future, the defence ministry said in its year-end review. While the C-295s are meant to replace theAvro-748 transport planes, the new aircraft will also be suitable for the demanding roles that theAn-32 currently undertakes. The first 16 planes will be supplied in two years, and the deliveries of the 40 locally assembled ones will be spread over an additional eight years. The aircraft can operate from short, unprepared airstrips and carry out a variety of missions in all-weather conditions.[58]
The IAF is looking for a newtransport aircraft with acargo carrying capacity of (18-30tonnes). The MTA programme is to replace the ageing in-serviceAntonov An-32 andIlyushin Il-76 of the IAF with a fleet of 40/60/80 units of medium-class transport aircraft. Participants for this programme includeEmbraer C-390 Millennium (26 tonnes),Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules (20 tonnes) and theAirbus A400M Atlas (37 tonnes). TheRequest for Information (RFI) was issued by the IAF in December 2022. IAF has asked for to provide “Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost of aircraft and associated equipment” for a batch of 40, 60 and 80 aircraft. The IAF needs the aircraft to be operable from unprepared runways likeIndia’s Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) inLadakh and theNortheast India.[59][60]
The participants in the programme include:
As reported on 7 November 2025, theMinistry of Defence (MoD) is soon expected to initiate the MTA procurement programme. This includes granting of the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by theMinister of Defence,Rajnath Singh, by the end of December and issuing the tender for the competition in early 2026.[67]
The IAF plans to operate 18airborne early warning and control systems, out of which 15 will be theDRDO AEW&CS and 3 will be theEL/W-2090.[41]
The Indian Air Force needs 18 Tanker aircraft.[69]
On 25 January 2018, the Indian Air Force launched aRequest for Information (RFI) after two earlier tenders were cancelled within a duration seven years. The responses were to be submitted within 30 March. While theNo. 78 Squadron is based atAgra Air Force Station in the West, the new fleet will be stationed atPanagarh Air Force Station in the East.[70][71] The RFI was sent to Boeing, Airbus and Ilyushin. However, as the document specified the requirement of two-engine aircraft with two-man cabin crew, Il-78MKI was disqualified.[72] Both Boeing and Airbus responded to the request withKC-46 Pegasus andA330 MRTT, respectively. Reportedly, the tender following the RFI was expected to have 30 percent mandatory direct defense offset clause.[73][74]
On 6 April 2022,Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed anagreement withIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) to convert sixBoeing 767 commercial airliners into Multi Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) in India.[75][76] However,Boeing has to grant permission for such a conversion.[77]
As of August 2023, aRequest for Proposal (RfP) was expected from the IAF within the next six months. The IAF may also procure "pre-owned" aircraft which is to be modified for the role for 25 to 30 years. An Indian maintenance partner is also to be selected. An additional refuelling aircraft was to be leased to provide training support for a period of two to three years until the delivery of these six aircraft starts.[78]
As of 7 February 2024, the Defence Ministry was "considering" the₹10,000crore (US$1.2 billion) acquisition proposal from the Indian Air Force.[79] The Defence Acquisition Council – chaired byDefence MinisterRajnath Singh – cleared the acquisition under 'Buy Global' category enabling procurement from both foreign or Indian vendors.[80][81][82]
On 28 March 2025, theIndian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Metrea Management to supply oneBoeing KC-135 Stratotanker onwet lease to the IAF within six months for training pilots of IAF and the Indian Navy for in-flight refuelling.[83] The refuelling jet landed atAgra Air Force Station on 21 November.[84]
As of 30 June 2025, the procurement is in the technical evaluation phase as three to four firms has submitted their bids. After finalising, an Indian maintenance partner will also be sought.[85]
It was confirmed on 27 October that theIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) is the frontrunner and a only contender for the₹8,000crore (US$950 million) project as others did not meet the requirements to be shortlisted. The firm has offered to modify pre-ownedBoeing 767 into refuellers and supply them to the IAF. They have agreed to meet the 30% indigenous content criterion, part of the offset agreement.[86][87]
TheIlyushin Il-78MKI aircraft fitted withCobham Mk.32B air refuelling pods were the first dedicated mid-air refuellers of the Indian Air Force. The order was placed in 2002 and deliveries were undertaken in 2003-2004 at a per unit cost of₹132crore (equivalent to₹468 crore or US$55 million in 2023). The aircraft were built atTashkent Aviation Production Association plant using unfinished airframes.[78][88]
A tender or theRequest for Proposal (RfP) for further procurement of six FRAs was launched in 2006 and was sent toLockheed Martin,Boeing,EADS (now, Airbus) andIlyushin. TheAirbus A330 MRTT was selected against Il-78MKI after the technical and commercial evaluation in May 2009. The others did not respond to the tender.[89] However, the tender, worth₹6,000 crore (equivalent to₹130 billion or US$1.6 billion in 2023), had been scrapped in January 2010 due to thefinance ministry’s concerns over bid competitiveness and the MRTT’s pricing. While Ilyushin offered a better price, IAF sought the MRTT due to its better capabilities.[70][90]
Another tender, worth₹9,000 crore (equivalent to₹130 billion or US$1.5 billion in 2023),[74] was launched on 16 September 2010[91] and requests for proposal were sent to all the vendors involved earlier along withAntonov.[92] While Lockheed Martin and Boeing did not respond to the tender, Antonov had been disqualified on technical fields. The commercial bids from Airbus and Ilyushin was opened in November 2012 where the quoted base price for Il-78 was lower than A330 MRTT. However, the MRTT had a better value and was selected as L1 bidder when maintenance and fuel costs were included as factors.[93] This calculation was as per the government’s newLife‑Cycle Cost (LCC) evaluation in its new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) of 2008—which assesses total ownership costs over an aircraft’s service life.[70] By January 2013, India chose the MRTT as the "preferred bid" after a series of flight tests which included refuelling multiple fighter jet types using the aircraft along with operations from high-altitude airbases. Airbus expected the deal to be finalised by the end of that year.[94] However, in July 2016, Airbus was notified by the Indian MoD that the RFP was again retracted.[95] After ceasing negotiations and scrapping the $2 billion worth tender due to "very high" life cycle costs as well as objections for the LCC calculations, the Indian Air Fore also considered "direct strategic purchase" of the FRAs for its immediate requirements.[74][96] The new FRA fleet was to be based atPanagarh Air Force Station in the eastern sector.[74][93][96] Another factor for cancellation was an ongoingCBI probe in India on a separate deal that Aribus signed with India'sCivil Aviation Ministry.[96] Airbus was cleared of allegations in 2024.[97]
In October 2016, it was reported thatBoeing had officially offered itsKC-46 Pegasus aircraft for the Indian Air Force. They had also sent a team of representatives to brief Indian officials including the thenDefence Minister of IndiaManohar Parrikar of the capabilities of their product.[98]
In August 2017, theComptroller and Auditor General of India reported the low serviceability rate of Il-78MKI after a study during 2010 to 2016. The report stated non-availability of hangars, poor serviceability of the aerial refuelling pods (ARPs), poor maintenance support from theOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), lack of avionics upgrades from 1980s technology, long timelines for engine and other upgrades leaving the fleet unavailable.[78][71]
Since 2023, the Indian Air Force is planning to acquire three aircraft forIntelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.[51][79] As of 2025, the project, worth₹10,000crore (US$1.2 billion), is expected to be cleared by the government in a high-level meeting "soon". These aircraft are meant to operate at high-altitude from stand-off ranges to carry out its role. While the aircraft will be bought from overseas firms likeBoeing orBombardier, an ISTAR suite, already developed, tested and proven by DRDO'sCentre for Airborne Systems (CABS), will be fitted onboard in India. This execution layout is similar to that followed duringNetra AEW&CS. It will provide India strategic air-to-ground surveillance and strike coordination capabilities.[99][100]
On 3 July 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council — under theMinistry of Defence and chaired byDefence MinisterRajnath Singh — authorised 10 capital acquisition proposal worth₹1.05lakhcrore (US$12 billion). This included three ISTAR aircraft (also dubbed as "spy planes") for the Air Force along withArmoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare System, Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services (logistics maintenance) andSurface-to-Air Missiles for Army as well asMoored Mines (DRDO-developed Pressure-Based Moored Mines),[101]Mine Counter Measure Vessels,Super Rapid Gun Mount and Submersible Autonomous Vessels for the Navy.[102][103][104]
In May 2020, theChief of the Air Staff,Air Chief MarshalR. K. S. Bhadauria announced there is a plan to shelve the order for the additional Pilatus PC-7 and instead opt for the indigenousHAL HTT-40.[129]
DRDO has developed the air-launched version of theBrahMoscruise missile in a joint venture with Russia'sNPO Mashinostroyeniya. The IAF has signed a contract with Russia to upgrade 40 Su-30MKIs to give them the capability of carrying theBrahMoscruise missile by 2012.[130]
DRDO has also developed thenuclear-capableNirbhay cruise missile, which is capable of hitting targets at 1,000 to 1,500 km (620 to 930 mi; 540 to 810 nmi) at 2 m (6 ft 7 in) accuracy.[131]
BrahMos-II orBrahMos-2 or BrahMos Mark II is ahypersonic cruise missile currently under joint development by India'sDefence Research and Development Organisation and Russia'sNPO Mashinostroyenia, which have together formedBrahMos Aerospace. It is the second of the BrahMos series of cruise missiles. The BrahMos-II is expected to have a range of 1,000 km (620 mi; 540 nmi) and a speed of Mach 8. During the cruise stage of flight, the missile will be propelled by ascramjet airbreathing jet engine. Other details, including production cost and physical dimensions of the missile, are yet to be published. The planned operational range of the BrahMos-II had initially been restricted to 290 km (180 mi; 160 nmi) as Russia is a signatory to theMissile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which prohibits it from helping other countries develop missiles with ranges above 300 km (190 mi; 160 nmi). However, subsequent to India becoming an MTCR signatory in 2014, the parameters for Brahmos 2 will get enhanced. Its top speed will be double that of the current BrahMos-I, and it has been described as the fastest cruise missile in the world. Testing was planned to start in 2020 but has been delayed.
In 2018–19, India agreed with Russia to procure theS-400surface-to-air missile system worth ₹35,000 crore (approx.). As per the agreement, five squadrons of S-400 missiles were set to be delivered by Russia to India. As of 2023, out of five squadrons, three were delivered.[132]
The Indian Air Force has placed order for 18MRSAM squadrons with each squadron having 3 launcher vehicles, carrying 8 missiles each.[133][134]
Indian Air Force has plans to deploy 5 squadrons of a multi-layer long rangeair defence system being developed by theDefence Research and Development Organisation underProject Kusha.[135]
TheAdvanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is a twin-engine, 5th generationstealthmultirole fighter under development byADA. It will complement theHAL Tejas, theSukhoi Su-30MKI,MWF and theDassault Rafale in the Indian Air Force.[136] The first flight is expected to be by 2028-29 and serial production is expected to start from 2035.[137][138] The project has been cleared byCabinet Committee on Security and is in prototype development stage.[139]
The Omni Role Combat Aircraft is a concept to design and develop a twin-engine omni role fighter, similar to the Rafale category. The design of the Omni Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA), an Indian Air Force variant of theTwin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), with significant design differences, was being studied as of 2020. The first flight is expected in 2032 with induction into the forces by 2038.[140][141]
TheHAL Tejas Mark 2 (also known as Medium Weight Fighter or HAL MWF) is a planned single-engine,delta wing, multirole fighter designed by theAeronautical Development Agency (ADA) andHindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a further development of the HAL Tejas, or the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), programme which began in the 1980s to replace India's ageingMiG-21 fighters. The Tejas Mk 2 is being designed to replace multiple strike-fighters likeSEPECAT Jaguars,Dassault Mirage-2000 &MiG-29 of Indian Air Force.
It has a tail-less compound delta-wing configuration with a single vertical stabilizer with closed-coupled canards to provide static instability and high manoeuvrability, and is equipped withfly-by-wire systems to control instability.
There is confirmation from the chief of theAeronautical Development Agency that MWF will shed its "Tejas" stamp and get a completely new name altogether during or after its first flight. Metal cutting for the prototypes began in January 2021.[142] The first prototype was expected to be rolled out at the end of 2025, however it is now delayed and the first flight is expected to take in Q2 2026.[143] A total of four prototypes are initially planned.[144]
TheHAL Combat Air Teaming System is a planned uncrewed and crewed combat aircraft air teaming system being developed byHindustan Aeronautics Limited.[145] The system will consist of a crewed fighter aircraft acting as "mothership" of the system and a set ofswarmingUAVs andUCAVs governed by the main aircraft. A twin-seatedHAL Tejas is likely to be the main fighter aircraft.[146][147]
HAL CATS Warrior part ofHAL Combat Air Teaming System is an armed stealth drone which will team up and fight alongside IAF fighters to hit high-value enemy targets. It is designed to carry out MUM-T Operations. It will be the first line of offense in operations against heavily defended, integrated air defence networks. An Indian defence startup is also a part of the mission team.[147]
Each drone will initially be armed with a single precision-guided weapon, such as an air-to-surface missile or a laser-guided bomb. Future versions of the platform will also be able to fire air-to-air missiles to target enemy fighters. The Uncrewed Wingman will be connected to a heavily upgraded IAFSEPECAT Jaguar attack aircraft (called the Jaguar Max); pilots onboard will assign specific tasks to each of the uncrewed drones which fly alongside the fighter. The drone will also operate with other platforms. The first flight is expected by 2022 & induction by 2029.[148]
HAL is designing & developing AI-powered, stealthy autonomous swarm drones known as ALFA-S in collaboration with a private firm in Bangalore. Research and development work will be completed in two years and the first flight is expected by 2022.
The ALFA-S swarming drones will have two folding wings. They will be fitted inside canisters mounted under the wings of IAF aircraft.
Each swarm could have dozens of individual drones. If detected, some of the drones would be shot down, but the sheer numbers of the swarm would overwhelm enemy defences such assurface-to-air missile units to ensure a high probability of mission success. The first drone prototypes are likely to be deployed fromHawk Advanced Jet Trainers being built, under licence, at Hindustan Aeronautics. Ultimately though, the drones are meant to be launched from any Indian Air Force aircraft - fighter jets and transports.
The plan to develop indigenous swarming drones is a part of the Combat Air Teaming System project or CATS, which has three distinct elements. In addition to the ALFA-S swarm drones, a robotic wingman, meant to accompany a crewed fighter jet into combat is being also being developed.
The final element of CATS is the development of an ultra-high altitude drone meant to remain flying for up to three weeks at a stretch while providing real-time images and video.
The government strongly backs the Combat Air Teaming System initiative as part of the Make in India programme, which encourages Indian defence manufacturers to focus on core research and development projects towards the next-generation requirements of India's armed forces. In 2018, the Defence Ministry set up iDEX, or Innovations for Defence Excellence under the Defence Innovation Organisation, a not-for-profit company meant to provide high-level policy guidance for high-tech indigenous ventures working on India's defence and aerospace needs.[149]
The IAF had also placed an order for 15NAL Saras light transport aircraft designed by theNational Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). The manufacturer has stated that the Indian Air Force intended to place an order for up to 45 aircraft.[150] National Aeronautics Limited (NAL) has stopped all work on NAL Saras as the funding for the project stopped by end of 2013[151] due to cost overruns and inability to reduce the weight of the aircraft.[152] The development of the Saras was restarted by the National Aeronautics Laboratories in February 2017.[153]
TheHindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42), under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a planned next-generation supersonic 16.5-tonne jet trainer for the Indian Air Force. It will feature advanced avionics like AESA radar, Electronic Warfare Suite, IRST, and Fly-by-Wire controls, designed for combat training with potential for conversion into a fighter aircraft.[154]
HAL has developed theHAL HJT-36 Yashas intermediate jet trainer aircraft for the IAF, which carried out its maiden test flight in 2003. These aircraft are scheduled to replace the aging HJT-16 Kiran mk.I. The Indian Air Force has placed an order for 73 aircraft, of which the first 12 are in production.[155] The order by the Indian Air Force could eventually grow to 250 aircraft. Two prototype aircraft have been built. These aircraft have undergone 280 test flights.
TheDRDO is developing aMedium Altitude Long Endurance Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called theRustom (English: Warrior) for all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces.[157] The Rustom will replace / supplement the Heron UAVs in service with the Indian armed forces.
DRDO is also developing theDRDO Ghatak which is anuncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) for the Indian Air Force. The design work on the UCAV is carried out by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The AURA UCAV will be a tacticalstealth aircraft built largely with composites, and capable of delivering laser-guided strike weapons. It would be a stealthy flying-wing concept aircraft with internal weapons and a turbofan engine.[158]
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has nearly finished the developmental trial of the New Generation missile ofAkashSAM known asAkash-NG. Akash-NG is developed to provide a cheap alternative for theBarak 8. It will have the same range of 70 km (43 mi; 38 nmi) with all-weather and all-terrain capability. The missile will be able to neutralise and destroyfighter aircraft,cruise missiles andair-to-surface missiles as well asballistic missiles. It will useKu band active radar seeker. The missile is expected to come into service in 2022 and will be produced byBharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) andBharat Electronics (BEL).[159][160]
DRDO is also working onProject Kusha (XRSAM) long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.[161] It will be used to bridge the gap between MR-SAM (100 km [62 mi; 54 nmi]) and S-400 (400 km [250 mi; 220 nmi]) Air Defence System and will be using spin-off technologies developed for country'sAnti-Ballistic missile Defence system. The missile system will have a range of 250 km (160 mi; 130 nmi) againstfighter jets, 350 km (220 mi; 190 nmi) againstcruise missiles,sea skimminganti-ship missiles,AWACS and mid-air refuelers and will be capable of bringing downballistic missiles andstealth fighters in the terminal stage.[162]
The IAF had indicated it needed 18 fuellers.
The third potential bidder, a dark horse, could be Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd which signed an MoU with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in 2022 for the conversion of B-767 to a Multi-Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT). Boeing would need to certify the modifications on the aircraft, in which case, it may not participate with the KC-46A in the bid.
Ministry of Defence also signed a contract with Metrea Management for Wet Leasing of one Flight Refuelling Aircraft
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