Suryakiran jet trainers in formation flight on Air Force Day.

© Adnan Abidi/Reuter

Salute to the protectors of our skies. Suryakiran jet trainers in formation

The Indian Air Force came into being on October 8, 1932 as an auxiliary to Britain’s Royal Air Force. Beginning with just 5 Indian pilots, their British commanding officer and a handful of Wapiti biplanes, the IAF is now the 4th largest air force in the world, both in terms of personnel and aircraft.