India currently operates about 31 fighter squadrons in its Air Force, which is below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons
. The total number of fighter jets is roughly aligned with this squadron count. Key fighter aircraft in India's inventory include:
- Around 260 Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets, which form the backbone of the fleet
- 36 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters, the latest addition to the fleet
- HAL Tejas light combat aircraft, with confirmed orders for 83 Mark 1A jets and plans for more, replacing older MiG-21s
Overall, the Indian Air Force has approximately 600–700 fighter jets when combining these types and other older models, but the exact number fluctuates due to losses and ongoing acquisitions. The IAF is actively working to modernize and expand its fighter fleet to address current shortfalls and replace aging aircraft
. In summary, India has about 31 fighter squadrons comprising roughly 600–700 fighter jets, including Su-30MKIs, Rafales, and Tejas aircraft, with ongoing plans to increase this number significantly through domestic production and foreign acquisitions
