military OEM
Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in the
the years, the foundations of ties in the
period 1987 to 1990. The fleet also played
regime of military aviation between India
The foundation of ties in
an active role in the war with Pakistan in
and France were laid in 1953 when the
Kargil in 1999, dropping both unguided
Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order
the regime of military
and laser-guided bombs. Equipped with
on the French aerospace major Dassault
aviation between India
the Sea Eagle missile, Jaguars of the IAF
Aviation for of 104 Ouragan jet fighters
are also employed in the maritime strike
that were renamed as the “Toofani” by
and France were laid
role. This fleet has proved to be a strong
the IAF. This was the first export contract
in 1953
element of the IAF.
ever for Dassault Aviation. The Toofani
The fleet of 125 Jaguar aircraft now
fighter aircraft of the IAF saw action in
remaining in service with the IAF are
1961 when they carried out air strikes
being upgraded with better avionics
against the Portuguese in Diu on the west
coast of India. They were also used in ground attack missions including multi-mode radar, autopilot and other changes as
against the rebels in Assam and Nagaland and in 1962 were part of the DARIN III programme. Also under consideration is
employed for reconnaissance missions in the Sino-Indian con- fitment of engines with higher thrust rating to enhance perforflict of 1962. The Toofani fleet was withdrawn from front line mance of the aircraft particularly at medium altitudes.
In 1985, the IAF received 49 Mirage 2000H, the latest, stateservice in 1965.
In 1957, the IAF procured from Dassault Aviation over 100 of-the-art combat aircraft of the time designed, developed and
of their latest and more powerful combat aircraft, the Mystère produced by Dassault Aviation. In 2004, the Indian Government
IV-A. This fleet served to significantly enhance the operational approved purchase of ten Mirage 2000H aircraft, an improved
potential of the IAF and acquitted itself admirably well in the version featuring better avionics including an upgraded RDM
7 radar. The Mirage fleet rendered yeomen service during the
Indo-Pak war of 1971.
Kargil war in 1999 and performed remarkably well during
the entire conflict in the high Himalayan Mountains. The fleet
Induction of Third Generation Combat Aircraft
In 1978, the Dassault-Breguet/BAC Jaguar deep penetration had been modified by the company on an emergency basis to
strike aircraft was selected for induction into the IAF. With 40 deliver laser guided precisions weapons against targets in the
platforms delivered directly by the manufacturers in a flyaway Kargil sector. Ease of maintenance, excellent product support,
condition beginning in 1981, the remaining 120 were built high reliability and a very high sortie rate made the Mirage
under licence in India by the Indian aerospace major Hindustan 2000 fleet clearly the most efficient amongst the different fleets
Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Jaguar has been described as of combat aircraft in the IAF. For many years they have been
one of the few aircraft capable of the nuclear strike role but the highly regarded in the IAF, being a stable weapons platform
IAF has not adopted this option. The Jaguar fleet of the IAF was with a respectable safety record. The Mirage 2000 fleet has also
employed for reconnaissance missions in support of the Indian been assigned the nuclear strike role.
Milestones
Toofanis carry out
air strikes against
the Portuguese
in Di K