No | Unit Type | Nickname | Motto | Motto Translation | Raised on | First Type | CurrentType | Location |
1 | Sqn | Tigers | Ekta Me Shakti | Strength in Unity | 01-Apr-33 | Wapiti | Mirage 2000 | Maharajpur |
2 | Sqn | Winged Arrows | Amogh Lakshya | True to Aim | 01-Apr-41 | Wapiti | Su-30 MKI | Tezpur |
3 | Sqn | Cobras | Lakshya Ved | Destroy target with Precision | 01-Oct-41 | Audax | MiG-21Bison | Ambala |
4 | Sqn | Oorials | Maan Par Jaan | Death over Dishonour | 01-Feb-42 | Lysander | MiG-21Bison | Uttarlai |
5 | Sqn | Tuskers | Shakti Vijayate | Strength is Victory | 02-Nov-48 | Liberator B24 | Jaguar IS | Ambala |
6 | Sqn | Dragons | Sada Satark | Always Alert | 01-Dec-42 | Hurricane | Jaguar IM/IS | Jamnagar |
7 | Sqn | Battle Axes | Shatrunjay | Vanquish the enemy | 01-Dec-42 | Vengeance | Mirage 2000 | Maharajpur |
8 | Sqn | Eight Pursoots | Surakshya Va Akraman | Offense is Defence | 01-Dec-42 | Vengeance | Su-30 MKI | Bareilly |
9 | Sqn | Wolfpack | Sahase Wasati Jayashrih | In Courage resides Victory | 04-Jan-44 | Hurricane | Mirage 2000 | Gwalior |
10 | Sqn | Winged Daggers | Yudhyay Kritanishchayam | Into War with Determination | 20-Feb-44 | Hurricane | MiG-27UPG | Jodhpur |
11 | Sqn | Charging Rhinos | Vishwambhara Pranadah | Supporters of the Universe | 15-Nov-51 | Dakota C47 | HS-748 | Vadodara |
12 | Sqn | Yaks | Amit Vikram | Boundless Valour | 01-Dec-45 | Dakota C47 | An-32 | Agra |
14 | Sqn | Bulls | Balam Jayay | Strength will Conquer | 15-Aug-51 | Spitfire | Jaguar IS | Ambala |
15 | Sqn | Flying Lances | Nihantavya Shatrava | Anhillate the Enemy | 20-Aug-51 | Spitfire | MiG-21Bis | Bhuj |
16 | Sqn | Black Cobras | Praharodata | Ready to Strike | ??-???-51 | Spitfire | Jaguar IS | Gorakhpur |
17 | Sqn | Golden Arrows | Udayam Ajasram | ? | 01-Oct-51 | Vampire F52 | MiG-21M | Bhisiana |
18 | Sqn | Flying Bullets | Theevra Aur Nirbhay | Swift and Fearless | 15-Apr-65 | Gnat | MiG-27 | Kalaikunda |
19 | Sqn | ? | ? | ? | 01-Aug-60 | C119 Packet | Disbanded | Disbanded |
20 | Sqn | Lightning | Vegvankutobhayah | Fast and Furious | 01-Jan-56 | Vampire F52 | Su-30 MKI | Pune |
21 | Sqn | Ankush | Siddhivasti Saha Se | Success lies in courage | 16-Oct-65 | Gnat | MiG-21Bison | Sirsa |
22 | Sqn | Swifts | Sahase Vijayate | Courage Triumphs | 15-Oct-66 | Gnat | MiG-27 | Halwara |
23 | Sqn | Panthers | Amritham Abhayam | Immortal and Fearless | ??-???-57 | Vampire F52 | MiG-21Bison | Suratgarh |
24 | Sqn | Hawks | Navijitya Nivartanam | 16-Feb-62 | Vampire F52 | Su-30 MKI | Bareilly | |
25 | Sqn | Himalayan Eagles | Satvadeena hi Sidhvayah | Excellence through Diligence | 01-Mar-63 | An-12 | Il-76/An-32 | Chandigarh |
26 | Sqn | Warriors | Yudhyasva Vigatha Jwar | Wage war with all efforts | 01-Jan-68 | Su-7 | MiG-21Bis | |
27 | Sqn | Flaming Arrows | Durarakshya Saralakshya | Strike far, Strike Sure | 15-Feb-57 | Vampire F52 | Jaguar IS | Gorakhpur |
28 | Sqn | First Supersonics | Sanharancha Karothi Ya | Determined to Destroy | 23-Mar-63 | MiG-21 | MiG-29 | Jamnagar |
29 | Sqn | Scorpions | Sadaiv Sachet | Ever Alert | 10-Mar-58 | Toofani | MiG-27UPG | Jodhpur |
30 | Sqn | Rhinos | Aseema Paurusha | Boundless Valor | 01-Nov-69 | MiG-21FL | Su-30 MKI | Pune |
31 | Sqn | Lions | Shatru Chhidrey Prahret | A Kill with every blow | 1-Sep-63 | Mystere | Su-30 MKI | Jodhpur |
32 | Sqn | Thunderbirds | Mahavegashya Dhundvrataha | Fast in speed, Fast in determination | 15-Oct-63 | Vampire | MiG-21Bison | Jodhpur |
33 | Sqn | Himalayan Geese | Shramo Dadati Siddim | Through hardwork comes Glory | 9-Jan-63 | Caribou | An-32 | Sulur |
35 | Sqn | Rapiers | Drutapraharanayudh | ? | 10-Aug-58 | Canberra | MiG-21M | Bakshi Ka Talab |
37 | Sqn | Black Panthers | Sadaiv Nirbhik | Fearless Forever | 23-Dec-57 | Vampire N54 | MiG-21M | |
41 | LAS Sqn | Otters | Samay Par Sahayta | Help on time | 1-Mar-58 | DHC-3 Otter | Do 228 | Palam |
42 | Sqn | ? | ? | ? | 7-Mar-61 | Illyushin-14 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
43 | Sqn | Ibex | Nabhasa Jivan Dhara | Lifeline through the skies | 20-Jan-58 | C-47 Dakota | An-32 | Jorhat |
44 | Sqn | Mighty Jets | Ishtam Yatnen Sadhyet | ? | 6-Apr-61 | An-12 | Il-76 | Sonegaon |
45 | Sqn | Flying Daggers | Ajeeta Nabaha | ? | ??-Jan-60 | Vampire | Tejas | Tanjavur |
47 | Sqn | Black Archers | Karmani Vyaprutham Dhanuhu | My bow is ready for task | 18-Dec-59 | Toofani | MiG-29 | Adampur |
48 | Sqn | Camels | Sahasa phalit Sarvetrah | Courageous Always Succeed | 15-Nov-59 | C-119 | An-32 | Chandigarh |
49 | Sqn | Paraspears | Dhairya Vijayate | Bold will be victorious | 02-Feb-60 | C-119 | An-32 | Jorhat |
50 | Sqn | ? | ? | ? | 27-May-09 | A-50 | Agra | |
51 | Sqn | Sword Arms | Yudhya Mahaspara Bhayankara | ? | ? | MiG-21MF | MiG-21Bison | Srinagar |
52 | Sqn | Sharks|Suryakirans | Sadaiva Sarvottam | ? | 1-Jan-86 | MiG-21FL | BAe Hawk 132 | Bidar |
53 | AAF Sqn | ? | ? | ? | 1-Jan-56 | Tigermoth | Disbanded | Disbanded |
55 | AAF Sqn | ? | ? | ? | 1-Jan-56 | Tigermoth | Disbanded | Disbanded |
59 | Sqn | Hornbills | Nishta Dhairya Parisramah | ? | ? | DHC-3 Otter | HS-748 | Guwahati |
77 | Sqn | Veiled Vipers | ? | ? | 5-Feb-11 | C-130J | C-130J | Hindan |
78 | MAR Sqn | Valorous MARS | ? | ? | ??-???-03 | Il-78 MKI | Il-78 MKI | Agra |
81 | Sqn | Sky Lords | Saksham, Balam, Sarvatram | Capable, Powerful, Omnipresent | 1-Sep-13 | C-17 | C-17 | Hindan |
87 | Sqn | ? | 2016? | C-130J | C-130J | Panagarh | ||
34 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ??-???-65 | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
46 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
50 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
53 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
58 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
61 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
62 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
72 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
74 | Sqn | ? | Sangrame Jayate Shur | Only the brave will win the war | ?? | SA-2 | Disbanded | Disbanded |
101 | Sqn | Falcons | Anwishyavedhi | Search and Destroy | 1-May-49 | Spitfire | MiG-21M | Naliya |
102 | PR Sqn | Trisonics | Samdhanam Ripudamanayah | ? | 25-Aug-81 | MiG-25 | Su-30 MKI | Chabua |
103 | Cmn Flt | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | Now EAC Flt | Guwahati |
104 | Heli Sqn | Pioneer Rotarians | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 10-Mar-54 | Sikorsky 55 | Mi-35 | Suratgarh |
105 | HU | Daring Eagles | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 23-Nov-59 | Mi-4 | Mi-8 | Gorakhpur |
106 | SPR Sqn | Lynx | Sarva Peshayami | ? | 01-May-57 | Canberra | Su-30 MKI | Agra |
107 | HU | Desert Hawks | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 01-Jan-60 | Bell 47 / S-62 | Mi-8 | |
108 | Sqn | Hawkeyes | Shodan Aur Aakraman | Search and Strike | 20-Nov-59 | Vampire | MiG-21M | Pathankot |
109 | HU | Knights | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 26-Aug-61 | Mi-4 | Mi-8 | Sulur |
110 | HU | Vanguards | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 10-Aug-63 | Mi-4 | Mi-8 | Kumbhirgram |
111 | HU | Snow Tigers | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 01-Aug-63 | Mi-4 | Chetak | Bareilly |
112 | HU | Throughbreds | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 01-Aug-63 | Bell 47 | Mi-8 | |
114 | HU | Siachen Pioneers | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 01-Apr-64 | Chetak | Cheetah | Leh |
115 | HU | Hovering Angels | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 01-Apr-67 | ? | Chetak | Tezpur |
116 | HU | Tankbusters | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 01-Jan-70 | Chetak | Dhruv | Jodhpur |
117 | HU | Himalayan Dragons | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | ? | ? | Mi-8 & Dhruv | Sarasawa |
118 | HU | Challengers | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 22-Nov-71 | Mi-8 | Mi-8 | |
119 | Heli Unit | Stallions | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 03-Mar-72 | Mi-8 | Mi-17 V-5 | |
120 | HU | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
121 | Heli Flt | ? | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | ? | Mi-8 | ? | Santa Cruz |
122 | Heli Flt | Dolphins | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 26-Sep-81 | Mi-8 | Mi-8 | Car Nicobar |
125 | Heli Sqn | Gladiators | Balidaan Veerasya Bhushanam | Sacrifice is jewel of Brave | 01-Nov-83 | Mi-24 | Mi-35 | Pathankot |
126 | Heli Flt | Featherweights | ? | ? | 15-May-86 | Mi-26 | Mi-26 | Chandigarh |
127 | HU | First Ranas | ? | Undaunted Undettered | 10-Jan-85 | Mi-17 | Mi-17 | |
128 | HU | Siachen Tigers | ? | ? | ? | Mi-17 | Mi-17 | |
129 | HU | Nubra Warriors | ? | Never Give In | 01-Jul-87 | Mi-17 | Mi-17 | Jorhat |
130 | HU | Condors | ? | We Support Life | 15-Feb-88 | Mi-17 | Mi-17 IV | Leh |
131 | FAC Flt | Airborne Pointers | ? | Savage and Powerful | 02-Aug-74 | Cheetah | Cheetah | |
132 | FAC Flt | Hovering Hawks | ? | ? | 24-Feb-86 | Cheetah | Cheetah | Udhampur |
134 | FAC Flt | Air Wolves | ? | ? | ? | Cheetah | Disbanded | Disbanded |
141 | SSS Flt | Flamingos | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 1975 | Mi-4 | Chetak | |
142 | SSS Flt | Flying Amphibs | Apatsu Mitram | A friend in time of need | 01-Aug-74 | Mi-4 | Chetak | Bagdogra |
151 | HU | Sarangs | ? | ? | Dhruv | Dhruv | Yelahanka | |
152 | HU | Mighty Armours | ? | ? | 14-Sep-88 | Mi-17 | Mi-17 | Sarasawa |
153 | HU | Daring Dragons | ? | ? | 01-Nov-88 | Mi-17 | Mi-17 | Udhampur |
154 | HU | 2013 | Mi-17 V5 | Mi-17 V5 | Srinagar | |||
155 | HU | 2013 | Mi-17 V5 | Mi-17 V5 | Suratgarh | |||
156 | HU | Armoured Kestrels | Sahase Shauryam Sevasya Siddham | 2013 | Mi-17 V5 | Mi-17 V5 | Bagdogra | |
157 | HU | Tarkshya | No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy | Jun-2013 | Mi-17 V5 | Mi-17 V5 | Barrackpore | |
158 | HU | 2013 | Mi-17 V5 | Mi-17 V5 | Phalodi | |||
159 | HU | 2013 | Mi-17 V5 | Mi-17 V5 | Purnea | |||
181 | Flt | ? | Sadaiva Satark | ? | ? | HS-748 | HS-748 | Hindon |
220 | Sqn | Desert Tigers | Shauryam Tejo Dhritih | Valour, Energy and Firmness | ? | Vampire | Su-30 MKI | Halwara |
221 | Sqn | Valiants | Tejaso Shatrun Damayah | Vanquish the enemy with Valour | ? | Vampire | Disbanded | Disbanded |
222 | Sqn | Tigersharks | Vinashaya Dushkrutam | Destroyer of Evil | 15-Sep-69 | Sukhoi-7 | MiG-27 | Hashimara |
223 | Sqn | Tridents | Vijayastra Amoghastra | Weapon for Victory | 10-May-82 | MiG-23MF | MiG-29 | Adampur |
224 | Sqn | Warlords | ? | ? | 04-Jul-83 | MiG-23MF | Jaguar IS | Jamnagar |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
TACDE | ? | Tejas Tejaswi Namaham | I am the glory of the glorious | ? | MiG-21/ Su-7 | MiG-27 | Gwalior | |
MOFTU | ? | Sarva Yudhavisharada | All skilled in warfare | ? | MiG-21FL | MiG-21FL | Tezpur | |
AHQCS | Pegasus | Seva aur Suraksha | Service and Security | ? | Various | Various | Palam | |
1 TTU | ? | ? | ? | ? | Dakota | Disbanded | Disbanded | |
2 TTU | Banners | ? | ? | ? | Hunter | Lakshya | ||
OCU | Young uns | ? | ? | 1-Oct-66 | Hunter | Hawk 132 | Kalaikunda | |
HOTS | ? | ? | ? | ? | Hawk 132 | Hawk 132 | Bidar |
Note:
Several units may have had short lived predecessors in the IAF. It is not known if some of the units mentioned trace thier lineage back to the older predecessors. Some of the existing unit numbers that were taken up by earlier units include 51,52,53,54,55 which were Auxillary Air Force Squadrons. 102 was a Survey Flight raised on 15-Oct-51 that was merged with 106 SPR Unit in Dec 59. 120, 121 and 122 were Ad-Hoc Squadrons raised during the 1971 War and disbanded soon after. Also several two digit numbers were taken up by SA-2 SAM units when they were first introduced in 1965. It is estimated that nearly 15 SA-2 Squadrons were raised. Some of these Squadrons are reproduced here in pink color within the normal sequence of Squadron Numbers.
Acknowledgements: Rupak Chattopadhyay, Rakesh Koshy, Phil Camp, Simon Watson, Ravi Rikhye, Dr. Sanjay Badri Maharaj, Amitabh Dubey, Anandeep Pannu, Arun Sharma (or Motto Translations) and the Official Indian Air Force Website