Indian Air Force Ranks and Insignia [MUST WATCH]

The Indian Air Force took off as a tiny fleet with four Westland Wapiti army co-operative by-planes, six RAF trained officers, and 19 Hawai Sepoys. Today, it is the fourth...

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January 19, 2023
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The Indian Air Force took off as a tiny fleet with four Westland Wapiti army co-operative by-planes, six RAF trained officers, and 19 Hawai Sepoys. Today, it is the fourth largest Air Force in the world with a highly technical and specialized fighting force that safeguards our skies against enemy invasions. A glance at the annals of its history will help us understand the glorious years of our legendary Air Force.

Ranks and Insignia are the important identification of a soldier serving in the armed forces, also it is equally important for us to identify the ranks and insignia of a soldier correctly whenever we see them. So would be officers! Ready to know about your rank when you get inducted and promotions? I hope you are ready as well as excited. So let us take an overview of different types of ranks in the Indian Defense. Below you can find the equivalent ranks of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

INDIAN AIR FORCE AIRMEN RANKS

Master Warrant Officer (MWO)
Warrant Officer (WO)
Junior Warrant Officer (JWO)
Sergeant (SGT)
Corporal (CPL)
Leading Air Craftsman (LAC)
Air Craftsman (AC)

INDIAN AIR FORCE OFFICER RANKS

As an officer in the Indian Air Force, the sky is the limit for you. You start your career as a Flying Officer and can rise up to the rank of Air Marshal. The chosen one from the Flying Branch becomes the head of the family i.e. The Chief of the Air Staff. Rank structure for commissioned officers are:

Junior Level

FLYING OFFICER (FG OFFR): Taking off a career in Air Force, this is the first rank an officer wears after successful completion of the training.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT (FLT LT): Beginning the climb, Flight Lieutenant is the next rank in the Indian Air Force hierarchy, where you play an important role as a member of a cohesive team.

Executive Level

SQUADRON LEADER (SQN LDR): Taking on bigger responsibilities under your wings, the Squadron Leader undertakes many tasks. Now you are a senior level supervisor.
WING COMMANDER (WG CDR): Gearing up for the higher grounds the Wing Commander, the next higher rank, takes on additional responsibilities.
GROUP CAPTAIN (GP CAPT): Taking charge of men and management, you as a Group Captain may command a medium-sized Air Force Station or be an important link in the decision-making mechanism at various IAF formations.

Director Level

AIR COMMODORE(AIR CMDE): An Air Commodore is the next rank and as a Principal Director, you may command a large Air Force Station, or hold Staff Appointments (Senior Level) at Air HQ/Command HQ.
AIR VICE MARSHAL(AIR VICE MSHL): Only the daring few climb this high in the Air Force hierarchy. An Air Vice Marshal is responsible for taking strategic decisions.
AIR MARSHAL(AIR MSHL): Just one step below the top of the ladder, the Air Marshal commands a lot of power.

Chief

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL: The top of the rank for the best of the best from the flying branch. The Air Chief Marshal heads the Air Force family and is responsible for all strategic and tactical decisions in times of peace and war.

Below you can find the equivalent ranks of the Indian army, navy, and air force.

Indian Army	Indian Navy	Indian Air Force
Field Marshal	Admiral of the Fleet	Marshal of the Air Force
General	Admiral	Air Chief Marshal
Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral	Air Marshal
Major General	Rear Admiral	Air Vice Marshal
Brigadier	Commodore	Air Commodore
Colonel	Captain	Group Captain
Lieutenant Colonel	Commander	Wing Commander
Major	Lieutenant Commander	Squadron Leader
Captain	Lieutenant	Flight Lieutenant
Lieutenant	Sub-Lieutenant	Flying Officer

Personnel Below Officer Ranks

INDIAN ARMY	INDIAN NAVY	INDIAN AIR FORCE
Subedar Major	Master Chief Petty Officer (First Class)	Master Warrant Officer
Subedar	Master Chief Petty Officer (Second Class)	Warrant Officer
Naib Subedar	Chief Petty Officer	Junior Warrant Officer
Havaldar	Petty Officer	Sergeant
Naik	Able Seaman	Corporal
Lance Naik	Leading Seaman	Leading Aircraftsman
Sepoy	Seaman	Aircraftsman

Field Marshal Kondandera Madappa Cariappa (1899–1993)
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw (1914–2008)
Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh

Indian Army Rank Insignia

Indian Navy Rank Insignia

Indian Air Force Rank Insignia

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