What Fighter Jets Does India Have? Su-30MKI, Rafale and Tejas

The Indian Air Force is the fourth-largest in the world, but it is short of fighters. After the last MiG-21s retired in September 2025 it was left with 29 fighter squadrons, against 42 the government says it needs to face China and Pakistan at the same time, the lowest level in six decades. Its front line is built around about 260 Russian-designed Su-30MKIs, 36 French Rafales and the home-grown Tejas, with older Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s and Jaguars still in service.

This guide covers each of India’s fighter jets, how many it has and how it plans to rebuild its fleet.

What fighter jets does India have?

India buys fighters from both Russia and the West, and builds some at home through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The mix gives it a wide range of capabilities but also a complicated logistics chain, with several engine types, radars and weapons to support. A squadron normally has 16 to 18 aircraft.

Su-30MKI and Rafale

The Su-30MKI, a two-seat heavy fighter designed by Sukhoi and largely built by HAL in Nashik, is the core of the Indian Air Force. It has long range, thrust-vectoring engines and can carry the air-launched BrahMos cruise missile. An upgrade programme known as “Super Sukhoi” is planned to give it a new radar and electronics. The 36 Rafales, delivered from 2020, are India’s most capable fighters, armed with Meteor and SCALP missiles, and they flew strike missions during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. In February 2026 India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved buying 114 more Rafales, most to be built in India, in a deal estimated at about $36 billion. The navy has separately ordered 26 Rafale M jets for its carriers. How the Rafale compares with its European rival is covered in our article on the Rafale and Typhoon.

Tejas: the home-grown fighter

The Tejas, a light single-engine fighter built by HAL, is India’s most important indigenous aircraft. About 40 of the original Mk1 version are in service. India has ordered 180 of the improved Tejas Mk1A, 83 in 2021 and 97 more in 2025, but none had been delivered by October 2026, more than two years late, after delays in supplies of the American GE F404 engine and in clearing its radar and weapons. The air force chief said in October 2026 that the delay “is going to hurt us”. The Tejas is covered in detail in its own article later in this series, and its maker in our profile of HAL.

The squadron shortage

India’s fighter shortage is the result of decades of slow procurement. The MiG-21, which once made up much of the fleet, was retired without enough replacements, and the MiG-29s and Jaguars are due to go by about 2030. The air force chief has said India needs to add 36 to 40 fighters a year just to stop the decline. The plan is to combine Tejas Mk1A deliveries, the 114 Rafales and extra Su-30MKIs, and in the longer term the indigenous AMCA fifth-generation fighter, which has its own article later in this series.

How does India compare?

China flies about 500 J-20 stealth fighters and several hundred modern J-16 and J-10C jets, as our guide to Chinese fighter jets shows, while India has no stealth fighter yet. Pakistan, India’s other rival, has added Chinese J-10CE fighters with long-range PL-15 missiles. India’s advantages are its large Su-30MKI fleet, the Rafale and experienced pilots, but the gap with China in numbers and technology is widening.

Frequently asked questions

What fighter jets does India have?

India’s fighters are the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas, Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar, plus the navy’s MiG-29K.

How many fighter squadrons does India have?

29 in October 2026, against 42 authorised by the government, after the MiG-21 retired in September 2025.

How many Rafales does India have?

The Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafales. India approved buying 114 more in February 2026, and the navy has ordered 26 Rafale M.

What is India’s main fighter jet?

The Su-30MKI, of which India has about 260. It is the backbone of the Indian Air Force.

Does India have a stealth fighter?

Not yet. India is developing the AMCA fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Why are Tejas Mk1A deliveries delayed?

Delays in supplies of the GE F404 engine and in clearing the aircraft’s radar, weapons and software.