By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 11 July 2026

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was ranked third among military aviation powers by country in the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) 2026 Global Air Powers Rankings, behind the United States and Russia. When individual service branches were assessed separately, the IAF was placed sixth.

The WDMMA is a database that ranks air forces using its proprietary TruVal Rating (TVR) system. The TVR assesses overall strength, attack and defence capability, logistical support, modernisation, and the quality and quantity of aircraft inventory — rather than just the raw number of aircraft.

The IAF's fleet was listed at 1,716 aircraft, including 542 fighter jets, 498 helicopters, 282 transport aircraft and 374 trainers. This balanced mix of combat, transport, rotary-wing and training platforms is a standard feature of a modern air force structure.

The IAF operated 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. To bridge this gap, the service has planned the induction of 180 Tejas Mk-1A fighters and proposed the acquisition of 114 additional Rafale aircraft, alongside strengthening air superiority, AEW&C and electronic warfare capabilities.

Exam Facts

▶ IAF ranked third (by country) in the WDMMA 2026 rankings, behind the US and Russia.

▶ WDMMA ranks air forces using the TruVal Rating (TVR) system.

▶ The IAF fleet was listed at 1,716 aircraft, including 542 fighter jets.

▶ The IAF operated 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.

▶ Planned inductions: 180 Tejas Mk-1A and a proposal for 114 Rafale jets.

▶ The Tejas is developed by HAL; the Rafale is made by France's Dassault Aviation.

Practice Set (6 Questions)

Q1. In the WDMMA 2026 rankings (by country), the IAF was ranked:
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fifth

Show Answer

Answer: C – Third. The IAF ranked third behind the US and Russia.

Q2. WDMMA ranks air forces using which rating system?
A. Global Firepower Index
B. TruVal Rating (TVR)
C. Air Power Score
D. Combat Readiness Index

Show Answer

Answer: B – TruVal Rating (TVR).

Q3. What is the sanctioned strength of IAF fighter squadrons?
A. 29
B. 36
C. 42
D. 48

Show Answer

Answer: C – 42 squadrons. The IAF operated 29 against a sanctioned 42.

Q4. How many Tejas Mk-1A fighters has the IAF planned to induct?
A. 114
B. 150
C. 180
D. 220

Show Answer

Answer: C – 180 Tejas Mk-1A.

Q5. The Rafale fighter aircraft is manufactured by which company?
A. Boeing
B. Dassault Aviation
C. Lockheed Martin
D. Saab

Show Answer

Answer: B – Dassault Aviation (France).

Q6. The indigenous Tejas fighter is developed by which organisation?
A. DRDO
B. HAL
C. BEL
D. ISRO

Show Answer

Answer: B – HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

  • UPSC Prelims: Defence, Science & Technology, aircraft (Tejas, Rafale), global indices.
  • UPSC Mains – GS Paper III: Defence modernisation, indigenisation, internal & external security.
  • RPSC (RAS) / SSC / Defence exams: Current affairs and defence general awareness.

UPSC Mains Descriptive Question

Q. India's air power ranking reflects both strengths and gaps in its combat aviation capability. Examine the challenges of squadron shortfall and the role of indigenisation in strengthening the Indian Air Force. (250 words, 15 marks)