The Indian Air Force, (abbreviated as the IAF) with over 1,600 aircraft is the world's fourth largest air force after the United States Air Force, Russian Air Force and China's People's Liberation Army Air Force. The Indian Air Force has aircraft of British, French and Russian origins. Israel, Russia and the United States are India's top three military suppliers, with Russian aircraft dominating its inventory. HAL produces some of the Russian and British aircraft in India under license. The exact number of aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force cannot be determined with precision from open sources. Various reliable sources provide notably divergent estimates for a variety of high-visibility aircraft. Since independence, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay - the invasion of Goa, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai. Apart from conflicts, the IAF has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
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