Indian Air Force In War

This is an analytical account of the entire operational history of the IAF. Within five years of its creation the fledgling Flights of No 1 Squadron were undergoing trials by fire in the NWFP. During the World War II, the IAF expanded nine-fold and made valiant contributions in turning the tide of Japanese onslaught. Hardly had the guns fallen silent across the globe and India emerged independent breaking the centuries old yoke of colonialism, once again the IAF was called into operations in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) war in 1947-48.

The IAF was at its innovative best in the un-chartered virgin territory of Himalayan heights. From 1948 till 1962, the IAF witnessed slow and lopsided growth. The debacle in 1962 Sino-Indian war and refusal to use the combat component of the IAF was the nadir of Indian integrated decision-making. The realisation of the need for having well-structured defence forces and resultant expansion of defence forces including the IAF had begun. This reorganisation measure was disrupted half way by the Pakistani attack in J&K. The 1965 war was on. The IAF was launched into conflict at an extremely short notice of one hour and stemmed the advancing enemy tanks from severing the lifeline of J&K. It was only the 1971 war, which enabled the IAF to prepare itself properly and prosecute a well-crafted war plan.

1. Birth of the Indian Air Force (Iaf)

2. World War II: Flying with the Raf

3. Operations in Jammu & Kashmir 1947–48

4. The War of 1962

5. Indo–Pakistan War of 1965

6. Indo–Pakistan War of 1971

7. The Kargil War: 1999

8. In the Neighborhood-IPKF in Sri Lanka: 1987–90

9. Iaf and the Un Operations

10. Operations within India

11. Evolution of Air Power Thought in India

Index