According to bharatrakshak.com, the IAF helicopter fleet consists of approximately 75 Chetaks and Cheetahs, 100+ Mi-8s and Mi-17s and about 30 Mi-25/35 attack helicopters. The IAF also has four heavy lift Mi-26 helicopters, which are used sparingly as skycranes for special missions. The latest induction into the IAF is the HAL Dhruv -- advanced light helicopter, about a dozen of which are in service currently.

Attack helicopters are an important aspect of IAF's modernisation drive. The force is set to acquire 24 new attack helicopters and 12 heavy lift helicopters to replace and augment its Soviet-era fleet. The 12 heavy lift choppers will replace the old 20-ton Mi 26 compatriots.

Media reports indicate that even as the Mi-17 multi-role helicopters and Mi 35 Soviet-era attack helicopters are to be upgraded, a parallel plan to acquire 80 new Mi 17 1Vs is already under implementation.

HPT-32 Deepak is IAF's basic flight training aircraft for cadets. Developed during the late 1970s, it has been in service with the IAF since 1984. However, the growing number of crashes and high maintenance costs forced the IAF to purchase newer training aircraft. These include the BAE Hawk MK 132 and HJT-36 Sitara, which is under development at HAL and will replace the Kiran MK I.