The Indian Air Force, also known as Bharatiya Vayu Sena is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its key role is to keep the Indian aerospace resistant to attacks and manage aerial warfare during the conflict.

Established on October 8, 1932, it possessed the strength of 25 soldiers of which 19 were combat pilots. Ever since then, the air force has gone through extreme modernisation and expansion, both in the strength of man and technology.

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In this article, we bring to you 10 amazing facts about the IAF every Indian should be proud of:

1. With around 1,70,000 personnel and 1,500 aircraft, it is the fourth largest air force in the world after the US, China, and Russia

2. It is also the seventh strongest Air Force in the world, better than that of Germany, Australia and Japan

3. The IAF flag, adopted in 1951, is blue in colour and contains the National Flag in the first quadrant and a roundel of the Tricolour

4. Its crest is considered to be of great historical and sentimental value and is approved by the President of India

5. Its motto Nabha Sparsham Deeptham is taken from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagvad Gita. The way Lord Krishna shows his divine form to Arjuna, in a similar way, the Indian Air Force aims to overwhelm adversaries with aerospace power to defend the nation

6. It has its own museum in New Delhi. It has a rich collection of memorabilia of Indian Military Aviation and displays the history of the Indian Air Force

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7. The chief of the Indian Air Force is Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa. He was commissioned the position on January 1, 2017.

8. Arjan Singh is one of the most respected Indian Air Force Marshals. In recognition of his services, he was awarded a 'Five Star' rank in the year 2002

9. The latest addition to the Air Force arsenal, Mirage 2000, French single-seated air defence and multi-purpose fighter jet, is powered by a single engine with a maximum speed of 2,495 kilometre per hour. On external stations, it carries two 30mm integral cannons and two Matra Super 530D medium-range and two R-550 magic ll close combat missiles

10. From October 1, 1993, to December 21, 1994, the IAF took part in peacekeeping duties in Somalia as part of the Indian contingent supporting UN operations.

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It has been over eight decades that the Indian Air Force has been shielding the country and its people. The IAF has the core purpose of safeguarding Indian territory and national interests from all threats in connection with the other branches of the armed forces by protecting Indian aerospace.

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