By YTC Ventures |Technocrat Magazine
October 8, 2025
Today, October 8, 2025, marks the 93rd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF), a force embodying its motto Nabhaḥ Sparśaṁ Dīptam – “Touching the Sky with Glory.”
The “Smiling Buddha” nuclear test of 1974, India’s bold stride into the nuclear era, ignites the Indian psyche with a blend of serene resolve and unyielding strength. This historic milestone, symbolizing technological triumph and strategic deterrence, inspires a nation to balance peace with power. It fuels the Indian Air Force’s mission, empowering minds with the confidence that India’s skies and sovereignty are guarded by a force rooted in Buddha’s calm yet formidable legacy.
This Air Force Day, celebrated with grandeur at Hindon Air Force Base in Ghaziabad near Delhi, honors the IAF’s valor and its strategic evolution, deeply influenced by the serene yet powerful legacy of India’s 1974 nuclear test, codenamed “Smiling Buddha.” From historic triumphs to modern might, this article explores the IAF’s legacy, its operational prowess, and the festivities unfolding today, all under the symbolic smile of Buddha’s peaceful deterrence.
A Storied Legacy: The History of the IAF
Founded on October 8, 1932, as an auxiliary of the Royal Air Force, the IAF began with four Westland Wapiti biplanes, six RAF-trained officers, and 19 airmen. By World War II, it grew to nine squadrons, flying Hurricanes and Spitfires against Japanese forces in Burma, earning the “Royal” prefix. Post-independence, the IAF dropped “Royal,” and Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee became its first Indian Chief in 1954. From Vampires in the 1950s to today’s Rafales, the IAF has evolved into a strategic force, with Buddha’s 1974 nuclear milestone shaping its deterrence role.
Triumphs in the Skies: Wars Fought and Won by the IAF
The IAF has been decisive in India’s conflicts, its role amplified post-Buddha as a nuclear-capable force. Key engagements include:
| Conflict | Year | Key IAF Role | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indo-Pakistani War (Kashmir) | 1947-48 | Airlifted troops to Srinagar, saving the city; 1,000+ sorties. | Secured Kashmir; minimal losses. |
| Sino-Indian War | 1962 | Limited transport ops at high altitudes. | Defensive role; spurred reforms. |
| Indo-Pakistani War | 1965 | Achieved air superiority; 3,937 sorties; downed 73 enemy aircraft. | Neutralized PAF threat. |
| Indo-Pakistani War (Bangladesh) | 1971 | Decisive: 4,000+ sorties; destroyed 94 PAF aircraft; enabled surrender. | Victory; created Bangladesh. |
| Kargil War | 1999 | High-altitude Mirage 2000 strikes; 500+ targets hit. | Recaptured peaks; PAF grounded. |
| Operation Sindoor | 2025 | Struck terror camps; downed 5 PAF jets; S-400 300 km kill. | Reinforced deterrence. |
The Arsenal: Machines Powering the IAF
The IAF operates ~1,716 aircraft, including:
- Fighters: 259 Su-30MKI, 36 Rafale, 120+ MiG-29, 60+ Mirage 2000, 270+ HAL Tejas.
- Transports: 17 C-17 Globemaster III, 56 C-295.
- Helicopters: 200+ Mi-17, 15+ CH-47 Chinook, 140+ HAL Dhruv/Prachand.
- Force Multipliers: Phalcon AWACS, S-400 SAMs.
- Future: Tejas Mk2, AMCA (fifth-gen).
Scale and Strength
Ranked fourth globally, the IAF has 135,000 personnel, 31 fighter squadrons, and 60+ bases. It excels in high-altitude ops and HADR, though squadron shortages (31 vs. 42 goal) persist. Buddha’s nuclear legacy ensures strategic reach.
Annual Maintenance Costs
The IAF’s ₹77,000 crore ($9.2 billion) budget (2025-26) covers salaries, ops (₹50,000 crore), and procurements (₹27,000 crore). Indigenization (e.g., Tejas) reduces costs, with 60-70% spent on maintenance.
Buddha’s Impact on the IAF
The 1974 “Smiling Buddha” test, supported by IAF MiG-21 reconnaissance, marked India’s nuclear dawn. It transformed the IAF into a strategic force, integrating nuclear delivery (Rafale, Su-30) and triad drills under a no-first-use policy. Buddha’s legacy underpins ops like Sindoor, balancing peace with power, as PM Modi emphasized in 2025.
The “Smiling Buddha” nuclear test, conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran, Rajasthan, marked India’s audacious entry into the nuclear age, profoundly shaping the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) strategic role. Officially termed a “peaceful nuclear explosive,” this 15-kiloton test, supported by covert IAF MiG-21 reconnaissance sorties to confirm seismic signatures, showcased India’s technological prowess and established it as a threshold nuclear power.
The operation, shrouded in secrecy, shifted the IAF’s mission from tactical support to strategic deterrence, enabling nuclear delivery capabilities with platforms like Mirage 2000s and later Rafales and Su-30MKIs.
Under India’s no-first-use policy, Smiling Buddha’s legacy endures, underpinning operations like 2025’s Operation Sindoor and reinforcing the IAF’s role in the nuclear triad, balancing peace with power as a cornerstone of national security.
Air Force Day 2025: FestivitiesUnder Buddha’s symbolic smile, Hindon AFB hosts:
- Parade & Flypasts: 70+ aircraft (Rafale, Tejas); Surya Kiran aerobatics.
- Displays: HAL tech, Su-30, Prachand.
- Events: Nationwide air shows; Air Force Museum (Palam, ₹40).
Where to Buy TicketsHindon parade viewing is restricted (live-streamed on Doordarshan). Museum tickets: IAF site or on-site. Aero India 2025 tickets: aeroindia.gov.in (₹200-₹1,000).
How to Reach Hindon AFB
- Air: IGI Delhi (20 km; cab ₹500-800).
- Metro/Train: Vaishali (10 km cab); Ghaziabad Junction (15 km).
- Road: NH-9 (45 min); limited parking.
Traffic ChangesNH-24, DND Flyway diversions 7-11 AM; check Delhi Traffic Police app.
Projected State in 2030:
Looking ahead to 2030, the IAF faces a pivotal juncture in modernization amid retirements and inductions. Based on current parliamentary reports, defense analyses, and procurement timelines, here’s a projected snapshot:
- Squadron Strength: Currently at 31 fighter squadrons, this is expected to dip to 29 by late 2025 due to MiG-21 phase-out. By 2030, with Jaguar retirements (120 aircraft across 6-7 squadrons) and partial offsets from new platforms, strength could stabilize at 29-31 squadrons if the 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal finalizes soon and deliveries begin (e.g., Rafale or F-21 variants). An additional 97 Tejas Mk1A order (beyond the 83 on order) could add 5 squadrons by early 2030s, pushing toward 35. However, without accelerated indigenous production (Tejas Mk2 prototypes by 2027, initial service ~2030), it risks falling to 25-27 amid Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 retirements. The sanctioned target remains 42, but realistic projections hover at 29-35 by decade’s end.
- Aircraft Numbers: Fighter fleet could grow from ~1,000 to 1,100-1,200 combat aircraft, bolstered by 180 Tejas Mk1A, 108-126 Tejas Mk2, and up to 114 MRFA. Total fleet (including transports, helicopters) may reach ~1,700-1,800, with AMCA trials starting but no major inductions until mid-2030s.
- Manpower: Active personnel are projected to remain stable at 135,000-140,000, with a focus on quality over quantity. This includes ~10,000 pilots (up from current ~8,000 via expanded training) and increased technical/specialist roles to support advanced systems. Reserves could expand to 75,000-80,000 through better mobilization. No major surge is anticipated, as indigenization emphasizes efficiency; however, squadron growth to 35+ would necessitate 5,000-10,000 additional personnel.
These projections assume on-time execution of programs like MRFA (finalization by 2026) and HAL’s production ramp-up. Geopolitical factors (e.g., Ukraine war delays on spares) could alter timelines.Is This OK, or Do Numbers Need Changes?Not ideal—29-31 squadrons in 2030 falls short of the 42 needed for two-front deterrence against China (projected 2,000+ fighters) and Pakistan (25 squadrons). It risks air superiority gaps, reduced training hours, and strained HADR ops.
The dip to parity with PAF is a red flag for India’s strategic depth. Urgent changes are essential: Expedite MRFA via emergency powers, clear additional Tejas orders immediately, and boost HAL capacity (e.g., third line by 2027). Long-term, AMCA funding must prioritize to hit 42 by 2035. Without these, the IAF’s fourth-global ranking could slip, undermining Buddha’s deterrence legacy.Annual Maintenance CostsThe IAF’s ₹77,000 crore ($9.2 billion) budget (2025-26) covers salaries, ops (₹50,000 crore), and procurements (₹27,000 crore).
Indigenization (e.g., Tejas) reduces costs, with 60-70% spent on maintenance.Buddha’s Impact on the IAFThe 1974 “Smiling Buddha” test, supported by IAF reconnaissance, marked India’s nuclear dawn. It transformed the IAF into a strategic force with nuclear delivery (Rafale, Su-30) and triad drills under a no-first-use policy. Buddha’s legacy underpins ops like Sindoor, balancing peace with power, as PM Modi noted in 2025.
Air Force Day 2025:
Festivities Under Buddha’s symbolic smile.
Hindon AFB hosts:
- Parade & Flypasts: 70+ aircraft (Rafale, Tejas); Surya Kiran aerobatics.
- Displays: HAL tech, Su-30, Prachand.
- Events: Nationwide air shows; Air Force Museum (Palam, ₹40).
Where to Buy Tickets
Hindon parade viewing is restricted (live-streamed on Doordarshan).
Museum tickets: IAF site or on-site. Aero India 2025 tickets: aeroindia.gov.in (₹200-₹1,000).
How to Reach Hindon AFB
- Air: IGI Delhi (20 km; cab ₹500-800).
- Metro/Train: Vaishali (10 km cab); Ghaziabad Junction (15 km).
- Road: NH-9 (45 min); limited parking.
Traffic Changes
NH-24, DND Flyway diversions 7-11 AM; check Delhi Traffic Police app.Ticket Prices
- Hindon: Free periphery; VIP passes ₹500 (IAF portal).
- Museum: ₹20 kids, ₹40 adults.
- Aero India: ₹200-₹500.
As fireworks light Delhi’s skies, the IAF soars under Buddha’s serene resolve, guarding India with glory—and gearing for a stronger 2030.
Jai Hind!
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