The Indian Air Force (IAF) is among the most powerful air forces in the world. As of 2025, it operates over 60 air stations across India. These are organized under seven commands, covering different regions and operational responsibilities. Below is a complete breakdown of IAF air stations, command structure, and key information.
IAF Command Structure
| Command | Headquarters | Main Role |
|---|---|---|
| Western Air Command (WAC) | New Delhi | Northwest India, Pakistan border |
| Eastern Air Command (EAC) | Shillong, Meghalaya | Northeast India, China border |
| Central Air Command (CAC) | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh | Central and Northern India |
| Southern Air Command (SAC) | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Southern airspace and Indian Ocean |
| South Western Air Command (SWAC) | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | Desert and western theatre |
| Training Command | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Training and education |
| Maintenance Command | Nagpur, Maharashtra | Repair, maintenance, logistics |
Types of Air Force Stations
| Station Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Operational Air Bases | Full-time airfields hosting aircraft and support units |
| Forward Base Support Units | Small, strategically located bases for border deployment |
| Care and Maintenance Units | Inactive bases maintained for emergency use |
| Missile, Radar and Signal Units | Operate air defence systems and manage communication systems |
| Training Establishments | Pilot and technical staff training schools |
| Maintenance and Logistics Units | Repair depots, air stores, and equipment bases |
Western Air Command (WAC) – New Delhi
| Station Name | Location | Aircraft/Units |
|---|---|---|
| Hindon AFS | Uttar Pradesh | C-130J, C-17, Mi-17, Chinook |
| Ambala AFS | Haryana | Rafale, Jaguar |
| Adampur AFS | Punjab | MiG-29 |
| Pathankot AFS | Punjab | Apache helicopters |
| Srinagar AFS | Jammu & Kashmir | MiG-29, Mi-17 |
| Halwara AFS | Punjab | Su-30MKI |
| Chandigarh AFS | Chandigarh | IL-76, An-32, Chinook |
| Palam AFS | Delhi | VIP transport (B777, B737, Embraer) |
| Jammu AFS | Jammu & Kashmir | MiG-29, Mi-17 |
| Sarsawa AFS | Uttar Pradesh | Mi-17, Dhruv |
Eastern Air Command (EAC) – Shillong
| Station Name | Location | Aircraft/Units |
|---|---|---|
| Tezpur AFS | Assam | Su-30MKI |
| Chabua AFS | Assam | Su-30MKI |
| Bagdogra AFS | West Bengal | Mi-17, Helicopter units |
| Barrackpore AFS | West Bengal | Mi-17 |
| Kalaikunda AFS | West Bengal | Fighter and training units |
| Purnea AFS | Bihar | Forward Base |
| Barapani AFS | Meghalaya | Forward Base |
Central Air Command (CAC) – Prayagraj
| Station Name | Location | Aircraft/Units |
|---|---|---|
| Prayagraj AFS | Uttar Pradesh | Headquarters of CAC |
| Agra AFS | Uttar Pradesh | IL-76, C-130J, C-17 (Transport Base) |
| Gwalior AFS | Madhya Pradesh | Mirage 2000 |
| Bareilly AFS | Uttar Pradesh | Operational |
| Gorakhpur AFS | Uttar Pradesh | Operational |
| Bihta AFS | Bihar | Operational |
| Chakeri AFS | Uttar Pradesh | Operational |
Southern Air Command (SAC) – Thiruvananthapuram
| Station Name | Location | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram AFS | Kerala | Headquarters |
| Sulur AFS | Tamil Nadu | Tejas squadrons |
| Tambaram AFS | Tamil Nadu | Pilot and technical training |
| Thanjavur AFS | Tamil Nadu | Maritime strike operations |
| Madurai AFS | Tamil Nadu | Tactical base |
| Car Nicobar AFS | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Strategic outpost in Bay of Bengal |
| Port Blair AFS | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Surveillance and air defence |
South Western Air Command (SWAC) – Gandhinagar
| Station Name | Location | Aircraft/Units |
|---|---|---|
| Jamnagar AFS | Gujarat | Jaguar, MiG-29 |
| Naliya AFS | Gujarat | Border defence |
| Bhuj AFS | Gujarat | Operational base |
| Jodhpur AFS | Rajasthan | Su-30MKI, MiG-21 |
| Uttarlai AFS | Rajasthan | MiG-21 |
| Nal AFS (Bikaner) | Rajasthan | Tactical base |
| Phalodi AFS | Rajasthan | Forward air base |
Training Command – Bengaluru
| Station Name | Location | Training Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dundigal AFS | Telangana | Air Force Academy (pilot training) |
| Hakimpet AFS | Telangana | Fighter pilot training |
| Bidar AFS | Karnataka | Advanced jet training |
| Yelahanka AFS | Karnataka | Helicopter and transport pilot training |
| Begumpet AFS | Telangana | ATC, Navigation training |
| Admin Training Inst. | Karnataka (Sambra) | Ground administration and support roles |
Maintenance Command – Nagpur
| Station Name | Location | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nagpur AFS | Maharashtra | Headquarters of Maintenance |
| Ojhar AFS | Maharashtra | Base Repair Depot |
| Devlali AFS | Maharashtra | Equipment maintenance |
Specialized Units
| Unit Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Missile Squadrons | Operate Akash, Pechora, and Igla air defence systems |
| Signal Units | Air defence radar, communication, EW |
| UAV Units | Heron and Searcher drones |
| Medical & Recruitment | Healthcare and personnel induction across India |
| NCC Air Squadrons | Youth training wings under NCC in all states |
Tri-Service and Strategic Commands
| Command Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Command | Joint operations in eastern maritime region |
| Strategic Forces Command | Manages India’s nuclear and missile assets |
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