IAFS 01071:2017 is the Indian Air Force specification for the Shoes Leather (Oxford Pattern) — the black leather oxford issued to IAF personnel for parade and duty. It defines a smart, lightweight closed-lacing shoe that balances a mirror parade finish with comfort over long duty hours.
What IAFS 01071 is
IAFS stands for Indian Air Force Specification — the IAF's own standard for uniform and equipment items, alongside the tri-service JSS and Ordnance IND/TC specifications. IAFS 01071:2017 covers the Shoes Leather (Oxford Pattern) — IAF: the standard black leather oxford worn with service dress.
The oxford pattern
An oxford is a closed-lacing shoe — the eyelet facings are stitched under the vamp, giving the clean, low-profile line that takes a high shine. That is exactly what a parade shoe needs. The IAF oxford is typically built with:
- Black full-grain leather upper, plain or cap toe
- Closed (oxford) lacing, usually five eyelets
- Leather lining and a cushioned insole for all-day wear
- A lightweight PU or leather sole with a low heel — lighter than a combat boot so it suits ground duty, office and parade
How it differs from Army and Navy shoes
All three services issue a black leather oxford, but the pattern details differ by specification. The Air Force shoe (IAFS 01071) is tuned for a lightweight parade finish. The Army/Police DMS oxford is built to IND/TC/3780 with a direct-moulded rubber sole for hard duty wear, and the Navy oxford follows IND/NAVY/3820 with oil- and slip-resistant properties for deck use. Same silhouette, different sole and construction requirements — which is why tenders always name the exact specification.
Who buys to this spec
The IAFS 01071 oxford is procured for Indian Air Force personnel through service channels and GeM (Government e-Marketplace) tenders, typically in bulk and against lab test reports.
DBFootwear — made and tested to IAF spec
DBFootwear manufactures the IAF oxford-pattern leather shoe to IAFS 01071:2017, tested to specification, at our Agra factory. We have supplied the Government of India since 1995 — originally through DGS&D rate contracts, and today as a registered GeM seller (seller 5116877, GeM since 2020) — with the documentation and capacity for tender bids. Order from 12 pairs with mixed sizes, or in bulk up to 50,000 pairs a month.
See our Air Force footwear range and the full Force & Uniform division, or ask about department-spec manufacturing.
IAFS 01071:2017 is an Indian Air Force specification; detailed clauses are held in the controlled specification document. Construction details here reflect the oxford-pattern IAF shoe as tendered and supplied on GeM. Confirm current requirements against the live tender document.