1. Sukhoi 30MKI
This is designed by Russia’s Sukhoi and is manufactured by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Su 30MKI is twin finned aircraft with its airframe constructed with Titanium and Aluminium airframe. The integrated aerodynamics is combined with thrust vectoring which results in extreme agility. This enables the aircraft to perform cobra maneuver in which aircraft can turn quickly at sharp angles to any directions which enable the crew to discharge its weapons on target quickly. The aircraft is equipped with modern avionics fly by wire system and relaxed stability.
Keypoints:
- National Origin Russia/ India
- First Flight Su-30МК: 1 July 1997; Su-30MKI: 2000
- Primary Users Indian Air Force
- Maximum Speed 2,120 km/hr
- Combat Radius 3,000 km
- Unit Cost Rs 358 crore
2. Mikoyan MiG-29
It is a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft designed during the Soviet era and developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter plane during the 1970s. The MiG-29 was designed with a mid-mounted swept wing with blended leading-edge root extensions swept at around 40 degrees. The aircraft is mounted by swept tailplanes and vertical fins which are mounted outboard of the engine. MiG-29 is equipped with hydraulic controls and an SAU-451 three-axis autopilot. Modern versions of variant Mig 29k and Mig 29UPG are the most advance and are equipped with fly by wire systems. It also has advanced avionics.
Key points:
- National Origin Soviet Union, Russia
- First Flight October 06, 1977
- Primary Users Russian Air Force, Indian Air Force, Ukrainian Air Force
- Maximum Speed 2,400 km/hr
- Combat Radius 1,430 km
- Unit Cost US$ 11 million
3. Dassault Mirage 2000H and 2000TH
It is a French made multirole, single and twin seats fourth generation jet fighter.The aircraft uses a Delta wing configuration of typical Mirage predecessor. The aircraft is equipped with retractable tricycle type landing gear with twin nose wheels and a single wheel on each main gear. The fighter jet is powered by SNECMA M53 afterburning turbofan engine, the latest version of the engine that is M53-P2 which is equipped with major types of its variants.
Key points:
- National Origin France
- First Flight March 10, 1978
- Primary Users French Air Force, Indian Air Force, United Arab Emirates Air Force, Republic of China Air Force
- Maximum Speed 2,336 km/hr
- Combat Radius 1,550 km
4. SEPECAT Jaguar
It's also Known as Shamsher, it serves as IAF’s primary ground attack force. The IAF currently operates around 137 Jaguars. The design of Jaguars airframes follows a swept wing with single seat aircraft and twin Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour turbofan engine monoplane design with tall tricycle-type retractable landing gear.
Key points:
- National Origin France/ United Kingdom
- First Flight September 08, 1968
- Primary Users Indian Air Force (current user)
- Maximum Speed 1,699 km/hr
- Combat Radius 908 km
- Unit Cost US$ 8 million
5. HAL Tejas
HAL Tejas is India’s first indigenously developed 4th generation modern fighter manufactured by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautical Limited) tailored for Indian Airforce and Indian Navy. Tejas comes as second supersonic aircraft after HAL HF 24 Marut.The aircraft is powered by a single jet engine and has a tail less configuration of delta wing which provides great maneuverability. It is suited for multi role combat with latest integrated technologies like the relaxed static stability that comes with fourth generation fly by wire control system, integrated digital avionics system, multi-mode radar and composite material structure.Tejas happens to be smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.
Key points:
- National Origin India
- First Flight January 04, 2001
- Primary Users Indian Air Force
- Maximum Speed 2,205 km/hr
- Combat Radius 500 km
- Unit Cost Rs 160 crore
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