Indian Air Force Rank- Indian Air Force, the air arm of the Indian Defence services was officially established on October 8, 1932, to protect the Indian sky. The rank structure of the Indian Air Force is based on the structure of the Royal Air Force.

The head of the Indian Air Force is the chief of the air staff, who holds the rank of air chief marshal. The current chief of the air staff is Air chief marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, who took office on 30 September 2019. The motto of the Indian Air Force is “Touch the sky with glory”.

If you wish to Join Indian Air Force you can read our article on How to Join Indian Air Force for all important information.

Indian Air Force Ranks is divided into two categories:

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS JUNIOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS Marshal of the Airforce Master Warrant Officer Sergent Air Chief Marshal Warrant Officer Corporal Air Marshal Junior Warrant Officer Leading Aircraftsman Air Vice-Marshal Aircraftsman Air Commodore Group Captain Wing Commander Squadron Leader Flight Lieutenant Flying officer

Indian Air Force Ranks for Commissioned Officers

1. Marshal of the Air Force

Insignia of Marshal of the Indian Airforce

Marshal of the Air Force is a Five Star Rank with NATO ranking code of OF-10 and considered as most senior rank in Indian Air Force Ranks. Marshal is an Honorary wartime rank. Air Force Marshal rank is equivalent to “Field Marshal” rank in Indian Army and “Admiral of the Fleet” in Indian Navy. The only Marshal of Indian Air Force till now was “Arjan Singh”.

2. Air Chief Marshal

Insignia of Air Chief Marshal for Indian Airforce

Air Chief Marshal (Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a Four-star officer Rank and is the most senior peacetime Indian Air Force Rank with NATO ranking code of OF-9. The rank of Air Chief Marshal is equivalent to the rank of “Admiral” in Indian Navy and “General” is Indian Army. In Indian Airforce only an Air Chief Marshal can hold the position of Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).

3. Air Marshal

Insignia of Air Marshal of Indian Airforce

Air Marshal (Air Mshl or AM) is a Three- star officer rank with NATO ranking code of OF-8. Air Marshal rank in Indian Airforce is equivalent to the rank of “Lieutenant General” in Indian Army and “Vice Admiral” in Indian Navy.

It is a rank Below Air Chief Marshal and Above Air Vice Marshal. The officer at the rank of Air Marshal holds very senior appointments such as commander- in – Chief of Indian Airforce formation.

4. Air Vice-Marshal

Insignia of Air Vice Marshal for Indian Airforce

Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) is a Two-star officer in Indian Air Force Ranks with NATO ranking code of OF-7. Air Vice-Marshal rank in Indian Airforce is equivalent to the rank of “Major General” in Indian Army and “Rear Admiral” in Indian Navy. It is a rank subordinate to the rank of Air Marshal and above Air Commodore.

5. Air Commodore

Insignia of Air Commodore for Indian Airforce

Air Commodore (Air Cdre) is a One-star officer rank and most junior rank among Air Officer ranks with NATO ranking code of OF-6. Air Commodore is being immediately senior to Group Captain and Subordinate to Air Vice Marshal. This rank is equivalent to the rank of “Commodore” in Indian Navy and “Brigadier” in Indian Army.

6. Group Captain

Sleeve Insignia of Group Captain

Group captain (Gp Capt.) is a senior Commissioned rank with NATO ranking code of OF-5. Group Captain ranks above Wing Commander and below Air Commodore. This Indian Air Force Ranks is equivalent to the rank of “Captain” in Indian Navy and “Colonel” in Indian Army.

7. Wing Commander

Sleeve Insignia of Wing Commander

Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) is a senior commissioned rank with NATO ranking code of OF-4. Wing Commander ranks immediately above Squadron Leader and below Group Captain.

This rank is equivalent to the rank of “Commander” in Indian Navy and “Lieutenant Colonel” in Indian Army. Wing Commander commands a wing that administrative subdivision.

8. Squadron Leader

Sleeve Insignia of Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) is a commissioned rank in Indian Airforce and is the most junior of the senior officer rank with NATO ranking code of OF-3.

Squadron Leader ranks immediately above Flight Lieutenant and below Wing Commander. This rank is equivalent to the rank of “Lieutenant Commander” in Indian Navy and “Major” in Indian Army.

9. Flight Lieutenant

Sleeve Insignia of Flight Lieutenant

Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) is a junior commissioned rank with NATO ranking code of OF- 2. A Flight Lieutenant ranks above Flying Officer and below Squadron Leader in Indian Airforce.

This rank is equivalent to the rank of “Lieutenant” in Indian Navy and “Captain” in Indian Army.

10. Flying Officer

Sleeve Insignia for Flying Officer

Flying Officer (Fg Off) is a Junior Commissioned rank with NATO ranking code of OF- 1. Flying officer rank in Indian Air Force Ranks is equivalent to the rank of “Sub- Lieutenant” in Indian Navy and “Lieutenant” in Indian Army.

Indian Air Force Ranks for Junior Commissioned Officers

1. Master Warrant Officer

Insignia of Master Warrant officer for Indian Airforce

Master Warrant officer (MWO) is the highest rank officer in Junior Commissioned officer with NATO ranking code of OR-9. A Mater Warrant officer rank is above the rank of Warrant officer in Indian Airforce.

A Master Warrant Officer rank is equivalent to the rank of “Subedar Major” in Indian Army and “Master Chief Petty officer (First class)” in Indian Navy.

2. Warrant Officer

Insignia of Warrant Officer

Warrant Officer (WO) is a Junior Commissioned officer with NATO ranking code of OR-8. A warrant officer is above the rank of Junior Warrant officer and below Master Warrant officer.

A Warrant officer rank is equivalent to the rank of “Subedar” in Indian Army and “Master Chief Petty officer (Second Class)” in Indian Navy.

3. Junior Warrant officer

Insignia of Junior Warrant Officer

Junior Warrant officer includes Boatswain’s mates, surgeon’s mates, sailmakers, armorers, schoolmasters, and clerks. A Junior warrant officer is above the Sergeant and below a Warrant Officer.

This rank is equivalent to the rank of “Chief Petty officer” in Indian Navy and “Naib subedar” in Indian Army.

Indian Air Force Ranks for Non- Commissioned Officers

1. Sergent

Insignia of Sergent

Sergeant (Sgt) is a non-Commissioned officer placed above the rank of corporal and below the rank of Junior warrant officer in Indian Airforce. Sergeant rank is equivalent to the rank of “Petty officer” in Indian Navy and “Havaldar” in Indian Army.

2. Corporal

Insignia of Corporal

Corporal rank is a Non- commissioned Indian Air Force Ranks and comes under NATO ranking code of OR-4. It is a rank given to an airman who is above Leading Aircraftsman and below sergeant. Corporal rank is equivalent to the rank of “Able Seaman” in Indian Navy and “Naik” in Indian Army.

3. Leading Aircraftsman

Insignia of Leading Aircraftsman

Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) is junior- commissioned rank in Indian Airforce with NATO ranking Code of OR-2. It comes between an Aircraftsman and a Corporal. Leading Aircraftsman rank is equivalent to the rank of “Leading Seaman” in Indian Navy and “Lance Naik” in Indian Army.

4. Aircraftsman

Insignia for Aircraftsman

Aircraftsman (AC) is the lowest rank in Indian Airforce with NATO ranking code of OR-1. It is just a training rank only. Aircraftmen do not wear any rank Insignia. This rank is equivalent to the rank of “Seaman” in Indian Navy and “Sepoy” in Indian Army.

To know about Air Force Ranks of other countries you can check this – Air Force Ranks.

Also read about Indian Army Ranks and Indian Navy Ranks.

I hope this article definitely helps you to increase your knowledge about Indian Airforce. Also, read our article on How to Join Indian Air Force?

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/