)
Here's a look at 5 fighter jets of Indian Air Force (IAF) featuring Dassault Rafale, HAL Tejas, LCA Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Mikoyan MiG-21.
This cutting-edge twin-jet combat aircraft was developed by the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. Regarded as one of the top fighter jets globally, India currently possesses 36 of these advanced aircraft in its fleet.
The Mirage-2000 made its first flight in March 1978. This single-engine, fourth-generation fighter jet comes in multiple variants and is currently in service across several countries, including India, the UAE, Qatar, Brazil, Taiwan, Greece, Peru, and Egypt.
The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), created by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), represents a major achievement in the Make in India initiative. Tejas reflects India's dedication to achieving self-reliance in defense technology. The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted its first Tejas aircraft—a lightweight, single-seat, single-engine, and highly maneuverable supersonic fighter—in July 2016.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a versatile combat aircraft produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau. As of 2023, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates approximately 300 units of this aircraft. In October 2000, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia to begin licensed production of the Su-30MKI at HAL's facilities.
The MiG-21, often referred to as the 'Flying Coffin,' is the most produced and widely sold fighter jet in history. It has been in service in India for nearly 60 years and has undergone multiple upgrades to remain competitive with third-generation fighter jets.
Newsletter
