Talk:Indian Air Force

Suggested Source for Historical Depth

Hi, I’d like to suggest a possible source that could enhance some under-detailed parts of this article — particularly the 1951 emergency squadron expansion, the IAF’s early post-Independence years, and indigenous radar development.

This blog, IAFHistory.in (https://iafhistory.in), contains well-researched and non-commercial content written by Anchit Gupta, a civilian historian who has been formally commended by the Chief of Air Staff.

Examples: - 1951 Emergency Expansion: https://iafhistory.in/2025/05/04/indian-air-force-1951-expansion/ - Radar Indigenisation: https://iafhistory.in/2024/10/12/the-audacious-secret-story-of-indian-air-forces-radar-indigenisation-program/ - Formation of No. 2 Squadron: https://iafhistory.in/2024/12/14/eight-years-to-take-off-the-surprising-birth-of-no-2-squadron-iaf/

I believe these could support or expand the “History” section and would be happy to summarise or assist further. Thanks for considering! 121.244.181.149 (talk) 05:00, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

Proposed addition under new subheading: "Personnel Growth and Officer Intake"

Hi editors, I would like to propose adding a brief, well-sourced section to the Indian Air Force article that summarises key trends in officer intake and personnel expansion, particularly in the decades following independence. While the current article mentions that the IAF grew post-1962 and 1971, it lacks structured historical context on how officer intake patterns evolved, including the long-term effects of wartime expansion (“bulge years”) on promotions and manpower. The following paragraph is proposed: Personnel Growth and Officer Intake

The Indian Air Force's officer cadre experienced distinct phases of expansion and contraction. After the demobilisation of World War II personnel, intake was minimal through the late 1940s and early 1950s. A significant spike in officer inductions began in the early 1960s, prompted by the 1962 Sino-Indian War and subsequent conflicts with Pakistan. This surge—referred to as the “bulge years”—created long-term challenges in career progression and manpower management. A detailed breakdown of officer intake trends across decades has been documented.

The proposed source is a historically grounded, data-backed analysis by a respected researcher of IAF history. It covers decades of intake trends, from post-WWII drawdowns to post-war expansions, and their institutional impact. I welcome feedback and would be happy to incorporate any improvements or edits. Thanks! IAFHistory (talk) 03:24, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

You will have to use a better source than iafhistory.in. See WP:RS. Koshuri ^(グ) 03:31, 6 May 2025 (UTC)