Wings of Time: Tracing the Flight Path of India’s Ageing Aircraft Fleet

India’s skies present a fascinating contrast: on one hand, the country’s commercial airlines are flying some of the youngest fleets in the region, while on the other, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is dealing with aging jets, which raises serious concerns about safety and operational readiness.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠Commercial Aviation: As of June 2025, India’s commercial fleet includes over 800 aircraft, with Air India’s fleet averaging just 8.1 years old and the overall average at 8.4 years—making it one of the youngest in the world. Modern models from Airbus and Boeing, such as the A320, A350, and 787 Dreamliner, are prevalent, boasting service lives of 20 to 30 years.

 

•⁠  ⁠Military Aviation: In sharp contrast, more than 50% of the IAF’s fleet—comprising MiG-21s (over 50 years old), Jaguars (40 to 45 years), Mirage 2000s (35 to 40 years), and older Su-30MKIs (25+ years)—has been in service for over 25 years. A series of crashes in 2025 has highlighted the urgent need for fleet modernization and better maintenance practices.

 

•⁠  ⁠Modernization Drive: The IAF’s combat squadron strength has dropped to 31, down from a sanctioned 42, primarily due to delays in replacing retiring aircraft. While upgrades and new inductions are in progress, systemic procurement delays continue to be a challenge.

 

Outlook:

As India’s commercial airlines push forward with rapid modernization, the IAF is under increasing pressure to speed up its fleet renewal and maintenance efforts. The future of aviation in India—both civil and military—will depend on timely upgrades, strong safety protocols, and strategic investments in next-generation aircraft.

 

Source: ThePrint, DW, Statista, Sakshi Post, idrw.org, Wikipedia, Planespotters.net