<Tr> <Th> Transport </Th> <Td> C - 130J, C - 17 Globemaster III, Il - 76, An - 32, HS 748, Do 228, Boeing 737, ERJ 135 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Tanker </Th> <Td> Il - 78 MKI </Td> </Tr> <P> The Indian Air Force (IAF; IAST: Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā) is the air arm of the Indian armed forces . Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the airforces of the world . Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict . It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honored India's aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal . After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of Dominion of India . With the government's transition to a Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed after only three years . </P> <P> Since 1950 the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighboring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China . Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai . The IAF's mission expands beyond engagement with hostile forces, with the IAF participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions . </P>

Rank of indian air force in the world