Air Force Technical College (AFTC) was established on 04 Jul 1949, in collaboration with Air Service Training Corps, Hamble, UK, with Gp Capt J Beaumont DFC as the first Commandant. The College was then named “Technical Training College” (TTC). The first Direct Entry Officers (DEO) Course comprising of 34 students graduated from TTC on 22 Jan 51, after 66 weeks of training. During the initial years (1949-1962), in addition to courses for Direct entry officers (DEO), the apprentice training was also being conducted at AFTC. TTC was renamed as AFTC on 01 January 1957, with Gp Capt MJ Kriplani MBE as the first Indian Commandant of the College. 

 AFTC is located on the Subroto Mukherjee Road, in Jalahalli West, Bangalore, at a site selected by the then Air Cmde Arjan Singh, who was Marshal of the Indian Air Force. Once a hospital town of the Second World War housing wounded Italian POWs, AFTC has emerged as a premier institute for training aeronautical engineers of IAF. In 1971, the erstwhile branches of engineering branch of IAF viz Tech Engg, Tech Armt, Tech Signal and Tech Elect were regrouped to create two sub branches viz Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) & Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical).

The aim of the College is “To educate and train engineers from various disciplines on current technologies of aircraft, weapon and support systems held in the IAF and also to instil qualities of military leadership, managerial skills, values and ethos of an Air Warrior, to enable them to function effectively as Aeronautical Engineers and development as members of officer cadre of IAF”. The directing staff at College are specialists in their respective fields and most of them are Ph D/ M Tech/ M Sc from IITs, IISc, DIAT and other reputed institutes. Today, the college is a Cat-A Training Establishment and awards M Tech in Aeronautical Engineering to officers graduating after ab-initio training.

The College, in addition to training engineers of IAF and sister services, has also trained officers of DRDO, HAL, Indian Airlines and many friendly foreign countries. The Training tasks are undertaken by Faculties of Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics), Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical), Faculty of Management Studies and Advanced Technologies (FOMSAT) and General Service Training.

The training curriculum has kept pace with the rapid advances in the field of aviation technology and air warfare techniques. Training activities at the College includes class room lectures, extensive project/research work, participation in seminar/workshop, on the job training at various flying bases, repair depot and NCW installations. The college has latest training aids, subscribed to most recent technical references, equipped with up-to-date laboratories, cut section model of aircraft and individual system demonstration facility. One year elaborate training at AFTC is culminated biannually and commemorated by passing out parade which is reviewed by senior military officers. On 01 Jul 21, Comdt AFTC inked a historic MoU with Visveswaraya Technological University (VTU) for award of M.Tech Degree to AE officers on completion of ab-initio training and TETTRA.
Many awards and accolades have come in the way of the College in its glorious past. AFTC was awarded the prestigious Presidential Colours in Nov 2008. The College was the first training institute of IAF to be accredited with ISO 9001 certification, which has been upgraded to ISO 9001:2008 standards.

As Indian Air Force continues to maintain its vigil over the vast expanse of our nation’s airspace, AFTC is committed to proudly contribute in this pursuit. The College is propelled by an indomitable spirit to strive, persevere and excel in the field of aviation technology training, keeping pace with the technological advancements. The College has kept pace with all challenges and stood the test of time, adapting to the never-ending technological environment and proceeding with the task of producing high quality Aeronautical Engineers for the IAF and always abiding by the motto “Gyanen Shobamahe”.