ABSTRACT
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is today a well-balanced air force with some stateof-the-art attributes. It is the fourth largest air force in the world and capable of performing, adequately and satisfactorily, most missions that an air force could be tasked with throughout the spectrum of conflict. The spectrum of conflict is forever widening and the IAF has, so far, managed to keep abreast of increasing requirements and possible tasks. It is a characteristic of the IAF that it has a penchant for innovativeness, making the best use of available resources, howsoever limited they may be, and working for mission accomplishment is an article of faith. Its capabilities are sufficient to ward off any regional threat and it is better equipped and manned than almost all air forces in neighbouring countries. The IAF lays great stress on human resource development with particular emphasis on training, both ab initio and continued training. It is a mature and confident service. IAF pilots have won the admiration of pilots of many developed countries during joint peacetime exercises.
