Where Does India Get Fighter Jets From?

Did you know? Only three countries produce fifth-generation fighters: the US, Russia, and China. The United States has the F-22 and F-35, China the J-20, and Russia the Su-57. Well, India also joined the club of the countries with fifth-gen fighters.

India's indigenous 5th-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), was approved in March 2024. Under the project, five prototypes have been planned to be produced by 2031, with the first type by 2028.

Speaking of fighter jets, it was on 4 November 1948 that the de Havilland Vampire F. Mk. 3, a British-designed jet fighter, arrived in India. This made the IAF the first air force in Asia to operate jet fighters.

While the first indigenous jet fighter was the HAL HF-24 Marut, which took flight on 24 June 1961. It was designed by renowned German engineer Kurt Tank and built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 

In this article, we will learn where India gets fighter jets from.

Where Does India Get Fighter Jets From?

A prototype of India's new 5th-gen stealth fighter, the AMCA.

India primarily gets its fighter jets from Russia, France, and the UK and through indigenous development through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Key six types of combat aircraft include the following:

1. Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Russia)

2. Dassault Rafale (France)

3. Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russia)

4. Dassault Mirage 2000 (France)

5. HAL Tejas (India)

6. SEPECAT Jaguar (the United Kingdom) 

How many fighter jets does India have?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates approximately 522 fighter jets, organised into 29 to 30 active squadrons. A typical IAF squadron has 18 to 20 jets. The force aims for a 42-squadron strength by 2035. 

Did you know? The IAF officialy decommissioned the MiG-21 squadrons, inducted in 1963, on 26 September 2025. The fleet is being replaced by the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A.

Here is a table with key data on the currently active fighter jets, origin country, type, and count.

Indian Air Force Key Facts

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air wing of the Indian Armed Forces. Established on 8 October 1932, in British India, the IAF was an auxiliary air force to the British Empire. Post-independence in 1947, it was renamed the Royal Indian Air Force before becoming the Indian Air Force on 26 January 1950. The primary mission of the IAF is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. The IAF's first operational flight (No. 1 Squadron) took off on 1 April 1933. 

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