Formed in October 1951 at Adampur under the command of Flight Lieutenant D.L. Springett, No. 17 Squadron was the last of four squadrons raised in rapid succession as part of the IAF’s emergency response to rising regional tensions. Initially equipped with Harvard aircraft, it later transitioned to Vampires. Hawker Hunters from the Squadron particapated in
Operation Vijay in 1961. Six Hunters of No.17 Sqn led by the CO, Sqn. Ldr. Jayawant Singh took off from Sambre and attacked the Wireless station at Bambolim with a mixture of rockets and cannon fire. It was moved from the East to Delhi during the
1965 Indo-Pakistani War to provide air cover for the capital. During the
1971 Indo-Pakistani War, under the command of Wing Commander Narinder Chatrath, No. 17 Squadron conducted a significant attack on the Kurmitola airbase near
Dhaka. In this mission, Chatrath engaged two
Pakistan Air Force Sabres, successfully shooting down one. For his leadership and bravery, he was awarded the
Vir Chakra. It was awarded its
President's Standard on 8 November 1988 at
Palam. Currently Based at Ambala and Equipped with India's First Squadron of
Dassault Rafale, The squadron has participated in the
2025 India Pakistan conflict. ==Affiliation with the Indian Army==