The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire. It was initially named as the Royal Indian Air Force in recognition of its valiant service during World War II. After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of the Dominion of India. With the transition to a republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed, and it became the Indian Air Force. Therefore, the first name of the Indian Air Force was the Royal Indian Air Force.