The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932.
Before independence (declared a full republic in 1950), it was known as the Royal Indian Air Force.
After independence (declared a full republic in 1950), the word "Royal" was dropped from it to just "Indian Air Force".
The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force.
It has a total of 170,000 personnel and 1,350 fighter aircraft as of 2006.
It has the status of being the 4th largest air force in the world.