The Southern Air Command (SAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, which is on the southwestern side of India.

The conflicts in Sri Lanka and the need for establishing a strong base over the Indian Ocean resulted to the formation of this new command.

The SAC was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

[1] From 1984 to 1999, the command grew from 5 lodger units to 17 lodger units under its jurisdiction.

Air-sea rescue in the Indian Ocean may be among the command's tasks.