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The Indian Air Force Module - IV
Armed Forces Today
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Note
THE INDIAN AIR FORCE
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian armed forces; it protects and
secures the Indian airspace and conducts air warfare during a war. It is the youngest
arm of the Indian Armed Forces. It was established by the British Empire on 8 October
1932, as an auxiliary of the Royal (British) Air Force. On 01 April 1933 the Air Force
commissioned its first squadron, No 1 squadron with four Westland Wapiti biplanes
and five Indian Pilots. King George VI conferred the prefix Royal to the Air Force, in
1945, in recognition of its services during World War II. It remained Royal Indian Air
Force until India became a republic in 1950.When India became a republic in 1950,
the prefix of Royal was dropped and it was renamed as Indian Air Force.
Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
identify the roles and responsibilities of IAF;
State the organizational structure of the Indian Air Force and
explain and categorise different aircraft and equipment of the IAF.
15.1 Role and Responsibility
The IAF Motto The IAF Crest
God seeing you touching the skies
Fig. 15.1: The IAF Flag
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MILITARY HISTORY 21
