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s the 27th Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari has relentlessly been working to ensure that Indian Air Force emerges as a modern fighting force, capable of defending its borders along with force projection outside by transforming itself for the future.
In an email interview with Raksha Anirveda to mark the 90th Anniversary of Indian Air Force Day 2022, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the Chief of the Air Staff, responded holistically and in detail to the questionnaire. Edited excerpts:
Indigenisation vs Effectiveness is an old debate. What is your opinion of making up the deficit of IAF fighter squadrons with indigenous Tejas LCA to make up the 45 squadrons to tackle a two-front war scenario? Of course, there would be Rafales and other cutting-edge aircraft that we are to acquire?
Currently, the IAF has 31 active fighter Squadrons. Over the years, we have strived to arrest the draw-down of our fighter fleet and now we are in the process of gradually building up to the approved level of 42 squadrons. The IAF would need an infusion of around 20 Squadrons in the next 10-15 years. Various approaches are being adopted to ensure that this is realised within time, budget and under the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative. Presently, the IAF is fully capable of defending the nation using its modern fleet along with the relatively older equipment.
The contract for 83 LCA Mk 1A has already been signed. Their induction should commence in 2024. IAF has planned for inducting six Squadrons of LCA Mk 2 and seven squadron of AMCA, when developed. IAF has also planned a phased induction of the MRFA and the indigenously developed enhanced variants of the LCA aircraft over the next 10-15 years.
Does the ongoing Indian effort to set up theatre commands, separate air defence command in any way diminish the role of the air force from what it is now? There has been a controversy on this in the recent past. What is your take?
The role of Air Power emanates from the perceived threat and joint response plan. The challenge of any effort for restructuring is to enable the best possible exploitation of all mediums, including that of air. The reforms should enable doctrinal freedom for harnessing the complete combat potential of every
medium in a joint war-fighting environment. Air Defence operations are inextricably linked to Counter Air Operations and all offensive ops, as the success or failure of one, will dictate the demands on the other. Air Defence and offensive missions are interdependent and if executed in isolation, these would not only be disjointed but also ineffective in design or execution of the joint strategy.
From technology taken from the US to Russian to the French and to more - say for instance, integrating and amalgamating the Russian S-400 with French Rafales or American Apache and Chinooks—how has the issue of compatibility of the various technologies been addressed by the IAF in particular and the Indian military in general? Is it a challenge that has been overcome or in the process of being overcome?
IAF has sensors & weapon systems of varied origins operating together since inception. The integration of systems was then achieved through procedural solutions. With advent of new technologies and our focussed effort towards NCO, now we have technological solutions for integration. These technological solutions are totally indigenous and we have made good progress on this account. The networking of sensors has given an advantage in terms of responsiveness and redundancy.
Do you believe there is something like a 100 percent transfer of state-of-theart technology? In military trade, are countries like India taken for a ride by sellers by promising the moon and not delivering on promises?
A 100 percent transfer of s tate-of-the-art technology may not be possible due to the restricted nature of a few core technologies. However, the IAF as a buyer strives hard to maximize Transfer of Technology (ToT) percentage from the Sellers. The efforts during such transfers are to acquire the key technologies needed by the Indian defence sector that can be effectively utilized towards achieving the set operational requirements. It may also be noted that strategic autonomy of a nation is lost if it is dependent on others for its technological needs. That is why, it is extremely important that an environment of spurring innovation is created in the country and both the government and user support this endeavour which is being done through Atmanirbharata.
How far are we into developing aero-engines? Has it been a failed effort till
now? What have the main challenges been?
Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), DRDO has planned to develop an indigenous engine for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk-II. The engine requirements have been worked out by GTRE. The engine has been proposed to be developed in collaboration with an International engine design house. This would ensure a better risk mitigation strategy and greater chance of success. We are sure that with the ongoing drive of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the challenges being faced by these agencies would be overcome.
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IAF@90 SPECIAL SECURITy THROUGH DETERRENCE AND POwER PROjECTION
Having lost out big time due to short-sighted piecemeal procurements, India’s acquisition process needs an overhaul and improve its track-record. With correct lessons derived and applied diligently, India can truly emerge as a globally competitive defence manufacturer and achieve control over critical technologies
By AIr mArShAl m mAtheSWArAn
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his October 8th the IAF completes 90 years of glorious service to the nation. The past nine-decades is a saga of critical contribution to nation-building, warfighting, support to civil administration, air defence, international cooperation and peace keeping, military diplomacy, and deterrence of adversaries. The demand on these roles of the IAF have increased substantially in recent decades. Kargil to Balakot and Ladakh exemplify the value of the IAF as a critical tool of state power. In the 21st century, aerospace power has emerged as the critical tool of deterrence and power projection. The ability of the IAF to provide an array of choices to the national leadership depends on its force structure and the pace of modernisation. IAF’s 100th anniversary is just ten years away and there are, as Robert Frost said, miles to go. Modernisation is a continuous process. Sustaining the optimal force structure despite the delays of modernisation should remain the paramount task.
This is, however, a challenge as the success of this endeavour depends significantly on political, financial, industrial, and external factors coming together. The IAF can only influence these factors, but it is the political leadership that exercises control and hence, should make the right decisions.
The induction of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) this week is good news on many counts – it is a ‘made in India’ weapon system that includes design, development, and manufacture. IAF’s role in supporting this development is enormous. What is more important is the fact that the LCH is the result of a right process of derivative development. It flows from the ALH experience and its basic design. The first prototype of the LCH was shown at the Bangalore Aero India show in 2007. That it entered series production in 15 years is a creditable achievement. In the past India has been hampered by disjointed product developments leading to huge time and cost overruns besides non-fructification. Continuity and linkage with the first successful product are the essence of successful strategy.
There are serious concerns to be addressed. For the first time, the IAF’s fighter force strength is set to go below 30 squadrons this year. This is reflective of various governments’ inability to ensure quick decisionmaking, provide the necessary and timely budgetary support, and more importantly the lack of long-term strategy. It would be a herculean task for the IAF to recover its strength to the authorised 42 squadron fighter force within the next decade without a massive support from the government. Although other elements in terms of airlift capability in its transport aircraft and helicopters, missiles, radars, UAVs, and communications are good, the fighter and bomber force strength remains critical to its offensive and deterrence capabilities. Given the fact that India faces an aggressive and modernised PLA across the Himalayas and over the sea, and an unstable Pakistan where the military continues to wield effective power, India cannot afford to take things lightly. A strong military with demonstrated capabilities for deterrence and power projection is vital for India to play an effective role in the current unstable world order, for which the IAF is the most effective sword arm for India. The world is now in a flux with conflict raging in Ukraine over the last eight months, and the potential for conflict in the South China sea remaining high. Russia’s Special Military Operations in
IAF inducts light combat helicopter (lch)
Ukraine since February 24th, and the recent counter-offensive success by the Ukrainian military highlights significant military and strategic lessons in regard to the employment of air, space, and cyber power. The lessons that the IAF and our national leadership should derive are vital in the context of how India would use its air and space forces in the future. This war has shattered many myths long held as imponderables in the national security domain. It is certain that IAF leadership is already examining many of these issues in their analysis. Let us look at some of the significant issues/ questions that come to the fore in this conflict.
Ever since the 1971 war we have been accustomed to the idea that future wars will be short, swift, and decisive affairs. This idea got strengthened and became an imperative through technological developments such as precision, reach, and communications. Our entire planning and even budget allocations for modernisation and force structure sustenance have been influenced by this belief of short, swift, and decisive wars. The corollary to this myth is that a major war is unlikely. The ongoing war in Ukraine has shattered this belief and demonstrates the reality of future wars that can be tedious, long-drawn out, grinding and hybrid, despite the overarching impact of air and space capabilities. The short war philosophy has been the result of USA’s intervention wars of the last three decades against smaller and weaker nations. The Ukraine conflict is far more complex it is effectively a war between Russia and the West, with Ukraine as a proxy. This is effectively a peerto-peer war in a nuclear backdrop and hence, the war is protracted and involves significant attrition. India’s adversaries present a similar environment today.
Constraints on air power can be counterproductive. Russia’s limited use of its aerospace power is inexplicable. This may be due to the constraints imposed by its political leadership for a limited operation with focus on minimum civilian damage. The contrast with the West is glaring as the USA and its allies have used airpower to devastating effect with little concern for civilian deaths or infrastructure destruction in the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. Excessive constraints on airpower could lead to severe penalties. The conflict has highlighted the difficulty of achieving and sustaining air superiority even against a significantly weaker air force. The effectiveness of an asymmetric ‘air denial’ strategy for a defender is an important development. Except for the first few days, Russia has not pushed for air dominance. On the other hand, Ukraine as a weaker power has employed the strategy of air denial successfully. Large infusion of short-range air defence missiles and mobile air defence systems have given Ukraine an ability to deter Russian air attacks. This has given significant freedom of manoeuvre for the Ukrainian forces. Due to lack of air superiority, Russia has refrained from using its air force in deep strikes into Ukraine. As a result, Ukrainian infrastructure and logistics hubs remain functional.
Russia’s airpower employment continues to be dominated by Soviet doctrine of using it primarily in support of the land forces. Russian air power has, largely, followed to support its land operations rather than operate independently to destroy Ukrainian war capability. This is clearly limiting the full potential of air power and has strong lessons for India where land force mindset is overwhelming.
Russia has used long-range missiles, including hypersonic missiles to destroy select targets. The hypersonic missile is The LCh is The ResULT OF a RiGhT PROCess OF deRivaTive deveLOPMenT. iT FLOWs FROM The aLh exPeRienCe and iTs BasiC desiGn. The FiRsT PROTOTyPe OF The LCh Was shOWn aT The BanGaLORe aeRO india shOW in 2007. ThaT iT enTeRed seRies PROdUCTiOn in 15 yeaRs is a CRediTaBLe aChieveMenT
the Astra mk-I missile being test fired from a Su-30 fighter of the Indian Air Force
sPaCe and CyBeR POWeR aRe PLayinG The MOsT CRiTiCaL ROLe in This COnFLiCT. MiLiTaRy and COMMeRCiaL saTeLLiTes aRe in exTensive Use FOR isR and seCURe COMMUniCaTiOns. The Usa, naTO, and The eU aRe PROvidinG ReaL-TiMe aCTiOnaBLe inTeLLiGenCe On RUssian FORCes in TeRMs TheiR dePLOyMenT, ManOeUvRe, Weaknesses, and aCCURaTe TaRGeTinG
emerging as a game changer. With greater numbers these missiles and armed autonomous UAVs will transform the concept of counter air and other offensive operations. Numbers and coordinated attacks with strong space and cyber support are critical for success.
Space and cyber power are playing the most critical role in this conflict. Military and commercial satellites are in extensive use for ISR and secure communications. The USA, NATO, and the EU are providing real-time actionable intelligence on Russian forces in terms their deployment, manoeuvre, weaknesses, and accurate targeting. The recent success of the Ukrainian counter offensives is primarily due to space based ISR capabilities and targeting. The sinking of Russia’s flagship of the Black Sea fleet was possible through American spacebased intelligence inputs and coordinated action. Predator and Global Hawk UAV operations from neighbouring countries have added to the ISR inputs for Ukraine. Russia’s use of satellites has been equally high but here the numbers are in Ukraine’s favour. However, Russia’s use of EW and cyber warfare tools have been extensive. American cyber support to safeguard Ukrainian command and control and data centres from Russian cyber-attacks has been equally extensive. Use of armed tactical UAVs has been high on both sides. Mini UAVs and autonomous systems like the Turkish Bayraktar, coupled with AI have proved their versatility in multiple applications – scout, armed, surveillance, and kamikaze attacks. However, the subsequent success of Russian tactical air defence against these demonstrates the impact of counter-UAV operations. This long-drawn conflict highlights the critical importance of supply chain resilience, secure communications and logistics, and the critical importance of air, space, and cyber superiority. An inferior force with reasonable access to air, space, and cyber resources can deny the stronger force the necessary air dominance. Sanctions on Russia is beginning to impact Russia’s production of high-tech platforms and weapons. Supply chain vulnerability, particularly in critical technology areas, could impact the outcome of any future war. This is a significant lesson for the IAF.
India’s effective budgetary allocation for defence modernisation has been in decline for more than a decade. Our political leadership and economists have been advocating for years about the need to downsize the military and reduce defence expenditure. Their indirect argument is that likelihood of a major war is unlikely as diplomacy and political relations would ensure the prevention of war. This is a myth that deserves to be buried particularly after the Galwan clash and the current instability in the world order. Ukraine conflict has demonstrated that numbers matter notwithstanding the focus on quality, innovation, and technology. The overwhelming impact of air, space, and cyber power in current and future wars is the biggest lesson that should be absorbed by the IAF and the government.
As the IAF heads towards its 100th anniversary, the importance of addressing its fighter-bomber force structure short falls, rapid enhancement of its space and cyber capabilities, missiles, AI and autonomous systems is never more urgent now than ever. Indian Air Force, with a high level of space, ISR and cyber capabilities, will be the trident of India’s emergence as a great power.
–The writer is a former Deputy Chief of
Integrated Defence Staff for Policy, Plans, & Force Development (DCIDS – PP & FD). He is currently the President of The Peninsula Foundation, a Chennai-based public policy research think tank.The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
IAF@90 SPECIAL FLyING INTO A GLORIOUS FUTURE
The indian air Force will be celebrating its centenary of extraordinary service to the nation in 2032. Beginning with just four Wapiti aircraft and six pilots, the iaF is gradually transforming into a capable force to engage in multi-domain operations with acquisition of both manned and unmanned, supporting platforms, qualified manpower to operate and maintain these platforms, new weapons, critical information, ground infrastructure, new airfields, and decisive application of new technology
By AIr mArShAl dhIrAj kUkrejA
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omprehensive combat potential, emphasised by flexibility, quick response, and mobility, is a must-have for any nation. Aerospace power, with its ability to reach far distances, be they be within or outside the borders, fits the bill. This competence has been aptly demonstrated in many conflicts in various parts of the world towards the end of the last century. The need for such a capability is, therefore, inescapable for India, more so because of the ‘not so- friendly’ neighbourhood, and the forever-evolving geopolitical situation.
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Formally established on 08 October 1932, the IAF will be celebrating its centenary of extraordinary service to the nation in 2032 – a decade from now! Beginning with just four Wapiti aircraft and six pilots, the IAF has transformed into a formidable aerospace force with an enviable prowess. After the successes in the conflicts with Pakistan, the planners initiated a process that is still ongoing. With fast pace of the modernisation, the IAF would celebrate its centenary year with world-class assets and capabilities.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
No modernisation process starts with just off-the-shelf purchases of aircraft, weapon platforms, systems, or other support equipment. Careful thought, assessment of the future scenario through an understanding of geo-politics, the emerging threat perception, are just a few of the ingredients that have to be studied, before initiating any changes. There is a set pattern, a deviation from which, or a shortfall in the process, can lead to a wastage of resources, not just material or fiscal, but also in delays of many years, which can prove to be the critical at times!
A study of the capabilities of the adversaries is, hence, important. Pakistan has been strengthening its Air Force (PAF) with Chinese assistance, over the last many years, not just with new aircraft, but also support systems and platforms. The PAF is growing in force with an aggressive application of its doctrine of the three Rs – Re-articulation, Reorganisation, and Relocation; this has made the IAF to sit up and take notice. The phenomenal growth of infrastructure all along the border with India, coupled with the increasing assertiveness of China with its recent airspace intrusions in the Ladakh region where only its army was to be seen earlier, is another cause of worry. Hence, the need to acquire weapons and delivery platforms and systems, which would have to
India Air Force: Westland Wapiti mk IIA
be operated at high altitudes and at extremely low temperatures. The latter requirement is very difficult to find amongst the globally available equipment, therefore there is need for equipment made as per IAF specifications, at a comparatively lesser cost.
The threat perception does not finish just with a comparison of quantity and quality; it has a wide spectrum. The IAF has to cater for a two-front conflict, which may be simultaneous, staggered or initiated with collusion, with controlled escalation. The challenges are manifold, with a blurred or blended nature of combat, merging into a hybrid war, a combination of conventional and non-conventional methods with cyber – as one example – which tend to disrupt the ObserveOrient-Decide-Act (OODA) cycle. The aim for the IAF, therefore, is to build capabilities to not only defend the country, but also to reverse the enemy’s intentions.
As prescribed, the IAF is entrusted with the task of safeguarding the air space of the country for which it needs aircraft and allied equipment to fulfil its basic role. So far, it has maintained an edge over Pakistan in all conflicts and been at par with China. However, with Pakistan fast closing the gap, and the increasing asymmetry with China, the IAF cannot be expected to meet the challenges with vintage aircraft and weapons, surveillance systems, vulnerable communication systems and other support systems and infrastructure. Pranab Mukherjee, as the then Defence Minister, had mentioned in the annual PC Lal Memorial Lecture of 2006 that “India is not looking to imposing its ideology on its neighbours, yet it must possess capabilities of safeguarding its extended frontiers, from the Gulf of Aden to the Straits of Malacca”. The frontiers have since extended well beyond! To this end, the IAF and the other Services should possess: (a) Deterrent Capability. The capability would primarily be to deter any adversary, state or non-state, with conventional and nuclear weapons. (b) War-Waging Capability. In the event of failure to deter, the IAF should be able to inflict punishing damage within the limited time window, keeping in mind that the future conflicts are going to be short and swift. (c) Force projection Capability.
The IAF must have a force projection capability, either individually or as a part of a joint expeditionary force, reaching to the extremes of our “extended frontiers” or places of strategic interest. (d) peace-keeping Capability.
The IAF should have the capability to meet the increasing demands of UN peace-keeping missions, in any part of the world, to project India, as a responsible member of the international comity of nations.
CAPABILITy VOIDS AND CORRECTIONS
Capability voids, as identified, exist not just in the offensive capability of the IAF, but also on ground, which includes infrastructure, an issue normally side-lined while acquiring new platforms and systems. There is a big gap in the availability of new airfields, hardened structures – also known as, blast pens – heliports, and other support infrastructure. All this is extremely important
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to gain a semblance of parity against China, especially in the Ladakh area, where China is way ahead. As the IAF goes in for an increase in numbers, no amount of infrastructure can be said to be adequate. So, the IAF plans for an increase in its offensive capability, the ground infrastructure – in Air Force parlance, known as ‘work services’ – must also be planned alongside, and not as an afterthought.
In offensive capability, numbers do matter! Notwithstanding the multirole capabilities of the new inductions as also the 4.5 generation aircraft soon to be acquired, the entitled 42 squadrons is a target to be met in the shortest possible time-frame. Surveillance gaps need to be plugged with radars on the ground, and where it is not possible, through the acquisition of airborne surveillance and control systems – AWACS and AEWC aircraft. The systems, to cater for the upper reaches of the Northern sector, need to be more mobile over rough terrain, by being lightweight, with advanced technology and the capability of extremely lowtemperature-operations.
The airborne surveillance
netra Airborne early Warning and control (AeW&c) aircraft
India Air Force AWAcS: beriev A-50eI mainstay
and control systems are not just an ‘eye or an ear in the sky’, but also magnify the capabilities of a pilot by looking far ahead than the human eye – hence the term force multipliers! Coupled with the radars on ground and AWACS/ AEWC in the air, there is the need for long range Surface-to-Surface missiles (SSMs) and shoulderfired Surface-to-Air missiles (SAMs), as a complement to the other air defence weapons.
The success of such weapon /weapon-support platforms and surveillance systems depends upon secure and sound communications. The communications, hence, have to be tri-services integrated, for the systems to be effective and the three Services to be able to coordinate their activities, not just intra-theatre, but also intertheatre. This domain has seen much progress, especially for the IAF, with its well-established Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). It would surprise the reader that the IAF control room in Air HQ, New Delhi, can monitor all air movements on a radar screen, both friendly and enemy, be they even be in a distant location, and also interact with pilots of the aircraft, and the controlling AWACS or ground radars (Whilst in service, this writer has witnessed such an occurrence!). The upcoming communication networks of the IA and the IN will be integrated into the IACCS very soon, thus converting the entire communication system into a robust and
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secure means of interaction.
Another dimension that has been added into today’s conduct of war is Space. While the country has done well and earned a name for itself through the many successes of ISRO, unfortunately, the application of the capabilities of space-based assets has left many voids for the defence services. The inability to launch on demand, multi-spectral surveillance, hyperspectral imagery, and geo-spatial intelligence are few of the many voids that need to be plugged. The IAF has used the capabilities of the many satellites launched thus far, but only minimally. There is scope for much more, and hence, considerable work needs to be done in this field. THE AIR FORCE IN 2032
Air power has increasingly become the decisive factor in combat ever since its introduction as a warwaging platform in World War I or as the historians would lead us to believe that it was even earlier, in the days of the balloons! Beginning with the 1991 Gulf War, and further confirmed in subsequent conflicts, the capabilities of new technologies has led to a realisation of the tremendous potential available through the medium of air and space. A word of caution though, airpower and space-power deployed in these conflicts by USA and its allies was against little or no opposition! The air and space power that was on display, comprised of some critical components that could be termed as “core competencies”, so essential to an Air Force, which can be enumerated as: (a) Information superiority. (b) Long range attacks with precision capability (c) Strategic reach and logistics (d) Air and Space superiority
What would the IAF of 2032 be like? While laying emphasis on building its core competencies to tackle situations through the arising new world order, it has moved ahead to develop itself into a major component of national power, with a capability of antiaccess, target identification and force protection through swift and decisive application of technology and fire power.
New acquisitions are not just a booster to the deterrence and war waging capability, but the IAF has also looked beyond, with the desire to plug voids through new technology, not just by buying off-the-shelf from foreign countries, but utilising the indigenous knowledge-banks and industry. The prowess thus far achieved, has been displayed repeatedly in the recent past in various humanitarian relief operations, both within and outside the national boundaries, and participation in bilateral and multilateral air exercises. The robust agility displayed by the IAF is a window to its military deployment capabilities, which has not been lost to military observers over the world. The IAF, as it flies into its centenary decade, will be a capable force to engage in multidomain operations, able to deliver telling-effects with timing and tempo to extend the adversary’s OODA loop, simultaneously shortening its own, be they in the conventional domains of air and space, or non-conventional domains of cyber, information warfare (IW), and social media. The reader must comprehend that air and space power is intrinsically different from either land or sea power, hence its employment is guided by axioms different from those for surface and sub-surface forces. The transformation of the IAF commenced from the turn of the century with acquisition of firepower platforms – both manned and unmanned, supporting platforms – aerial and ground-based, qualified manpower to operate and maintain these platforms, new weapons, critical information infrastructure, ground infrastructure and new airfields, are just to name a few in the process of the ongoing overhaul. The IAF in the next decade would transform itself from Wapitis and Sopwith Camels to modern technology, and with a vision for tomorrow. ‘Change’ is the keyword – to move with the times!
pinaka missile System
–The writer is an IAF veteran. Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
IAF@90 SPECIAL IAF LEVERAGING NEw GEN TECHNOLOGICAL SUPERIORITy
Airpower will play an overwhelming role in future wars. It has the ability to deliver firepower with precision. Air forces across the world conduct research to identify various applications of AI in military aviation. The IAF is adequately poised to undertake its operations efficiently by leveraging various facets of cutting-edge technology
By AIr vIce mArShAl SAnjAY bhAtnAgAr
Indian Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, PVSM AVSM VM ADC
P
ast few conflicts across the globe have made modern-day military thinkers reiterate the overwhelming role that airpower is likely to play in the future security environment. This belief is the result of a fundamental shift in the character and conduct of various operations and the technology-aided ability of airpower to rapidly adapt to emerging scenarios.
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Air Power is inherently characterised by its ability to deliver firepower with precision, at far-off ranges, in a short time and almost anywhere within the area of responsibility (AOR). The IAF is a technologyintensive combat arm. In order to fight an adversary in a future conflict, the IAF must have a definitive digital advantage. On the 90th Anniversary of the IAF, the force has much to compliment itself in the field of employment of various cuttingedge technologies in various domains of air operations to offer it a clear lead vis-à-vis the adversary and adulation from friendly air forces.
AI IN AIR OPERATIONS
Air Forces across the world are conducting research activities to identify various applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in military aviation. In this digital age, the IAF competes with the rival air forces of China and Pakistan. It is aware that it cannot ignore such disruptive technologies and needs to apply these cutting-edge technologies to air operations. Also, there is a requirement to progress at a faster rate and not to allow the technological differential with advanced western air forces to build up.
IAF has followed a twoprong approach to employing AI. It has employed in-house domain experts and uniformed AI-software specialists available within the IAF. At the same time, it has also got the solutions customized through some of the leading companies, leveraging closed-loop coordination with the IAF domain experts.
In April last year, during an e-symposium on ‘AI for Air Warriors’, the then Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria highlighted the significance of AI for IAF operations and further innovations required for making AI a reality for IAF.
In July this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking at the first-ever symposium and exhibition on Artificial Intelligence in Defence (AIDef), said that India is developing AI-based weapon systems, keeping in mind the crucial role technology can play in future warfare.
inTeGRaTed aiR COMMand and COnTROL sysTeM (iaCCs) is a COMPLeTeLy indiGenOUs sOLUTiOn, CReaTed in COLLaBORaTiOn WiTh BeL, iiiT hydeRaBad, iiT jaBaLPUR and iiT khaRaGPUR FOR eMBeddinG ai sysTeMs inTO iTs iaCCs
On July 10, 2022, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, inaugurated the IAF’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Artificial Intelligence under the aegis of the Unit for Digitisation, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking (UDAAN) at Air Force Station Rajokri, New Delhi. This is a software incubation lab for handling all aspects of analytics, Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Neural Networks and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms.
VCAS said that IAF has taken proactive steps to embed Industry 4.0 and Al-based technologies in its war-fighting processes. He reiterated that the AICoE with high-end computing and big data storage capabilities, coupled with full-spectrum Al software suites, would substantially enhance the operational capability of IAF.
In air situations, detecting, tracking and engaging aerial threats are essential for fighter pilots to survive and carry out their missions. This is where Big Data and Machine Learning come in, as these AI can process a lot of information very quickly to enhance the battlespace awareness of the pilots. The way forward is more innovation in coordination with IAF domain experts, academia and software development teams, including the DPSUs and MSMEs.
After the Pathankot incident, the government approved an Integrated Perimeter Security System (IPSS) for 23 air bases. Project relies on AI for undertaking perimeter surveillance and safety inspections by merging data coming from different types of Electro Optical (EO) devices, motion detection sensors, ground radars, surveillance and thermal cameras thereby offering a composite 24x7 live feed to ensure an impregnable perimeter security system.
The IAF has issued an RFP seeking innovative solutions towards detection of Foreign Object Damage (FOD), lying on the runway or aircraft operating surfaces, without physical employment of manpower. The IAF is looking for a
solution based on the employment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and algorithms on the imagery and data generated by swarm drones undertaking this task.
The IAF has also employed AI tools for change detection over satellite images. At AIDef in July this
Software defined radios System
year, Air Marshal N Tiwari, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS), brought out that by embedding AI, IAF has leveraged technological advances in the field of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). Adoption of these technologies has drastically reduced timelines for intelligence gathering, asset identification and weapon-to-target matching, thereby positively enhancing the war readiness and fighting capability of the IAF.
Besides this, the IAF uses another analysis tool for intelligence processing and analysis to prepare a composite intelligence picture, being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The IAF has also developed an AI-based campaign planning and analysis system (CPAS), which is being used to provide functionality for the planning of campaigns and debriefing solutions for all types of aircraft. CPAS is used to simulate the entire war campaign for practice and skill enhancement of planners and decision-makers.
IAF has employed AI in reducing the workload of engineers and maintenance personnel by enabling predictive maintenance. The complete technical history and performance parameters of each type of aircraft are being tracked and recorded by in-house developed software called e-MMS. AI is employed on this data to infer a pattern and take preventive action as and when required. It also generates timely alerts and alarms to prompt action by domain experts. Today the IAF is well poised to exploit the AI functionalities due to robust network connectivity and IAF’s capability to exploit data.
AFNET THE NETwORkING BACkBONE
Strategic thinking to exploit technology in various domains of IAF operations has been well ingrained in the IAF culture. Conducting net-centric operations was agreed to be an absolute necessity for success. Foundation for this capability rests largely on the IAF-owned Air Force Network (AFNet). Former Defence Minister AK Antony dedicated the AFNET to the nation in September 2010. Today, IAF is a true network-centric combat force, AFNet provides the IAF its combative edge.
AFNet incorporates the latest traffic transportation technology in form of Internet Protocol (IP) packets over the network using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). A large VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) layer with stringent quality of service (QoS) provides robust, high-quality voice, video and conferencing solutions. Today all the operational, maintenance and enterprise applications of the IAF ride on the AFNet backbone.
AFNet is essentially a terrestrialbased network with redundancies provided through a SATCOM backup system. The entire network is secured with a host of advanced state-of-the-art encryption technologies, developed in-house by the IAF in coordination with
Integrated Air command and control System (IAccS)
academia and certified by the Scientific Analysis Group (SAG).
AFNet project is part of the overall mission to network all three services, under the national level project termed Network for Spectrum (NFS).
IACCS
In order to provide an integrated air situation picture to undertake an air defence (AD) role in the most efficient manner within its area of responsibility (AOR), the IAF has established an Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This has proved to be a major force multiplier for the IAF. The proposal was cleared by the Government in 2008. IACCS has been conceptualised towards facilitating centralised command and control by automated integration of all air defence resources, pan India, including from all ground-based and airborne sensors, AD weapon systems and Command & Control (C2) nodes. It also provides redundant radio communication between aircraft and ground sensors through its array of Iron Node terminals located across the country. IACCS rides the AFNET.
IACCS is a significant step taken by the IAF towards achieving NCW capability. Steps are on to soon include the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) area also under IACCS. IACCS is a completely indigenous solution, created in collaboration with BEL, IIIT Hyderabad, IIT Jabalpur and IIT Kharagpur for embedding AI systems into its IACCS.
SOFTwARE DEFINED RADIOS (SDRS)
Another net-centric capability that the IAF has addressed is for the various fighters and other aircraft to be able to share their combat picture and communicate with each other in a safe and secure manner. SDRs shape the radio waveform with secure software that makes it difficult to hack and intercept, thus allowing secure voice, data and video transmission.
For enabling this, the IAF has bought 400 BNET from Rafael, Israel, and integrated them with the fighter fleets of Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 aircraft. This will ensure secure communication between fighters in the air and various sensors (Surveillance Radars and surface missile systems) on the ground and most importantly with the Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft. The project is nearing operationalisation. Procurement of additional SDRs to enlarge the SDR-Net is under active consideration, albeit through an indigenous route.
The IAF felt the need for a robot like UXOR (Unexploded Ordnance Handling Robot) after Pakistan’s response to the Balakot airstrike. IAF, in coordination with DRDO, has developed a semi-automated robot to detect unexploded bombs (up to 1000 kg), make them safe and conduct delayed destruction through a remote safe mechanism from a distance of 2 km.
Today the IAF is adequately poised to undertake its operations efficiently by leveraging various facets of cutting-edge technology. IAF has smartly exploited technology to act as a force multiplier. In order to get maximum advantage, its ongoing projects need to continue to be steered in coordination with academia and private industry.
-The writer is an IAF veteran and has been involved in air operations, intelligence and strategic matters. He has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Off Ops) at Air HQ and Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Tech Int) at HQ - IDS, appointments related to offensive operations, UAV, space and ISR matters. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
SPECIAL
IAF@90 SPECIAL THE INDIAN AIR FORCE: GUARDIAN OF THE SkIES
The Indian Air Force is the pride of the nation, always defending our borders with their skills and valour. It’s transforming itself for the future as an effective, always mission ready aerospace force
By jAY mAnIYAr
T
HE InDIAn AIR FoRCE DAY AnD A BRIEF RECEnT HIsToRY: India will celebrate the Indian Air Force (IAF) Day on October 8, 2022. IAF Day is celebrated at the Hindon air base in the presence of the IAF chief and senior officials of the three wings of the armed forces. The annual Air Force Day flypast and parade on October 8 will be held in Chandigarh this year, however, instead of the Hindon airbase. As is historically evident, the IAF has made India proud on a number of occasions by playing a key role in wars against neighbouring Pakistan and providing robust air defence against China. The two countries pose an immediate, two-front challenge for India, and the IAF is at the forefront of India’s fight against this challenge. The IAF was raised on October 8, 1932, and since then, the Indian Air Force celebrates IAF Day on the 8th of October every year. India will celebrate a landmark 90th IAF Day on October 8th 2022.
The IAF is equipped with 1,500 aircraft and more than 750 combat aircraft. The MiG-27s were retired at the start of 2020, while the MiG-21 (three squadrons) will be retired by 2025. The IAF is also planning to retire the MiG-29 by 2027-28, and the Jaguars by 2034. The Dassault Mirage-2000 has been upgraded to serve the IAF till 2030. The IAF is plagued by an insufficient number of squadrons following the retirement of aircraft such as the MiG-27. The present 32 squadrons in service are far lower than the required 42. India will induct 83 numbers of India’s indigenous fighter jet, the Tejas (Light Combat Aircraft, LCA) produced by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This step is aimed at closing the gap in squadron numbers, and ushering in an indigenous element in the IAF.
India had previously announced a grand plan to acquire a large number of aircraft from abroad (126, precisely) as part of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal. The MMRCA proposal eventually failed to materialise and was succeeded by another deal to acquire a few hundred aircraft for the IAF. India decided to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault, France, in fly-away condition after the failure of the MMRCA deal. The Rafales are now India’s frontline fighters. The delivery of the first five Rafales was completed in July 2020 after a short delay due to the novel Coronavirus pandemic. India now boasts several air superiority fighter jets in the IAF and continues to envision future acquisitions from the preferably domestic defence industrial base.
As the nation celebrates Air Force Day, Ravi nirgudkar, Managing
Director – India, sri Lanka, Bangladesh, BAE systems
recalling the long association with the Indian Air Force said:
“Our heartiest congratulations to the Indian Air Force on the 90th Air Force Day! BAE Systems is honoured to have been a close partner of the Indian Air Force for the last seven decades and is proud to have contributed to its modernization. From being a core contributor in establishing the Air Force Technical College in 1949 to providing advanced training to young IAF pilots on our Hawk Mk132 trainer – BAE Systems has always been committed to strengthening the Indian Air Force’s expertise and capabilities. Our vision and mission align with the Government’s ambitions of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Make in India’. The world-class manufacturing facility we established for the Hawk India programme in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) demonstrates the success of ‘Make in India’ in defence manufacturing. Today, Hawk has exceeded 100,000 flying hours with the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, and I wish it to achieve many more such milestones.
We are proud of our incountry presence and the robust partnerships we have created with
the local industry, which includes HAL and Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd, as well as several MSMEs and SMEs that are now a part of our growing supply chain. With the strategy of ‘co-creating for a selfreliant India’, BAE Systems looks forward to further partnering with DRDO and local industry to strengthen the Indian Armed Forces capabilities and supporting them in their upgradation and modernization journey towards Modern Fighter Aircrafts.”
India cancelled an ambitious FifthGeneration Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) plan that was to be undertaken jointly with Russia. This plan aimed to develop an advanced fifthgeneration fighter jet in collaboration. It was shelved in April 2018 after languishing for 11 years. Instead, India is focusing on developing an extremely advanced stealth fighter jet through its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. This project is expected to be completed in the next few years. India remains committed to absorbing indigenous fighter aircraft into its inventory as fast as possible. This is to ensure that the IAF does not need to rely on others. It will also help the nation to fast-track its journey to superpower status. Air power ensures that India is a strategic and competent heavyweight in its particularly sensitive northern areas (which belong to India but are claimed by Pakistan and China).
In recent developments, in June 2020, India decided to order 21 MiG-29 and 12 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI land-attack aircraft from Russia. The deal had been discussed during the preceding Air Force Day in 2019. India has a fleet of over 250 Sukhois while the MiG is its second frontline attack fighter. In recent days, India has been considering acquiring either the F/ AE-18 Super Hornet from the United States or the naval variant of the French Rafale for the Indian Navy’s air arm. In September-end 2022, the Indian Navy (IN) fast-tracked the acquisition of twenty-six fighter aircraft for its aircraft carrier. The IN recently commissioned the INS Vikrant, an indigenous aircraft carrier.
The Indian Air Force has been a solid defender of the Indian skies and remains available for dispatch for missions and suchlike at the mandate of the government of India. Moreover, the precedent to India’s push for self-reliance or Atmanirbharta in defence was the induction of the indigenous HF-24 Marut aircraft in the 1960s. India is now taking baby steps in its goal to emerge as an exporter of arms and ammunition after having hogged the limelight for many years as the world’s foremost importer of arms. The Tejas combat aircraft is considered an advanced fighter and many countries are already vying to purchase it. India is also aiming to export Tejas to prospective buyers such as Malaysia. India has recently announced that the BRAHMOS missile will be exported to the Philippines.
CONCLUSION – GUARDIAN OF THE SkIES
While India is constrained by a shortage of squadrons which could have fulfilled the initial goal set for the IAF’s requirements, the IAF continues to do the nation proud, even with its limited resources. In recent times, the IAF fearlessly undertook the Balakot airstrike, intended to avenge the gruesome Pulwama attack. The IAF is indeed the guardian of the skies for the country. The IAF remains ready to tackle any threat posed to India. The naval air wing is also capably equipped to help ensure maritime security of India’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). India can sleep safely at night because of the many strengths of the Indian Air Force, and it’s no surprise that IAF Day is celebrated with much pomp and splendour. 90 years of valorous service by the IAF is a matter of immense pride to India, and we hope that the IAF can continue to serve the nation for decades to come.
-The writer is a researcher writing two books for National maritime foundation (Nmf) on Japan and South korea’s geopolitical, geo-economic and geostrategic interests in the indian Ocean. He is a prolific writer and published author; a research fellow at the Defence research and Studies (DraS) think tank; a member of the indo-pacific circle and the chief editor of an upcoming monthly magazine at the indic researchers forum. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
SPECIAL
IAF@90 SPECIAL IAF:PRESENT TENSE, FUTURE IMPERFECT
The IAF currently has a combat force of six different fighters many of which are obsolete and should have been retired a long time ago. How will these aircraft perform in combat against state-of-the-art Chinese and Pakistani fighters is anybody’s guess
By neerAj mAhAjAn
T
he Indian Air Force (IAF) is critically short of both– aircraft, and pilots. This is something that affects the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force to counter the “two front collusive threat” from Pakistan and China. Replying to a question in the parliament, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik admitted that against a sanctioned strength of 4,239, the IAF had 3,834 – a shortage of 405 pilots. Significantly against an authorised figure of 1:1.25, the IAF’s fighter aircraft to pilot ratio is 1:0.81, much less than Pakistan Air Force’s fighter to pilot ratio of 1:2.5 or the US where the cockpit to pilot ratio is 1:2. Likewise the sanctioned cockpit to pilot ratio for the IAF’s transport aircraft is 1:1.5 and 1:1 for its helicopters.
Even as early as April 2015, the Parliamentary standing committee on defence (SCOD) observed that against a sanctioned strength of 42, the Indian Air Force had just 35 active aircraft squadrons and 39 Helicopter Units.
“With regard to this, representatives of air force deposed before the committee that a drawdown has already begun and, by 2022, the air force will have around just 25 squadrons, thereby losing even the slight edge over the rival neighbouring nation,” the Standing Committee on Defence said in its report tabled in Parliament.
The IAF currently has only 25 active fighter squadrons including 14 equipped with MiG-21 and MiG27 combat planes which would be phased out by 2024. The IAF has four MiG-21 squadrons in service out of which - one squadron is to be phased out per year. As the then Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Subhash Bhamre told the Lok Sabha, ten Squadrons of the Indian Air Force (IAF) equipped with MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircraft are scheduled to retire by 2024 on completion of their Total Technical Life. This means that the strength would be reduced to just 11 squadrons by 2024.
Two squadrons of the Jaguar are also set to retire during this period. To fill this gap IAF plans to procure two squadrons of ,
Indian Air Force Su-30 mkI aircraft
two squadrons of Rafale and six squadrons of Tejas single-engine fighters between now and 2025. So while 12 squadrons will retire by 2024, IAF will get only 10 additional squadrons by 2025.
The IAF force line-up consists of ten squadrons of Su-30MKIs, three squadrons of MiG-29s, two and a half squadrons of Mirage 2000s, six squadrons of MiG-21 Bison, five squadrons of Jaguars, and five squadrons of MiG-27s. This is the total strength without accounting for the actual number of inoperative combat aircraft under repair, maintenance and grounded due to lack of spares.
The IAF currently has a combat force of six different fighters including MiG-21, MiG29, Mirage 2000, , Jaguar and MiG-27 aircraft. Many of them including 11 squadrons of MiG21 Bison and five squadrons of MiG-27s are obsolete and should have been retired by now. How will these aircraft perform in combat against state-of-the-art Chinese and Pakistani fighters like Su-35, Su-27/30, J-11, and F-16 is anybody’s guess.
As far as the man behind the machine is concerned, around 42 defence personnel have been
killed in 45 defence aircraft and helicopter accidents in the past five years. 29 out of these total 45 accidents occurred on IAF’s platforms - the current Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhat told Rajya Sabha recently.
Significantly the standing committee on defence in 2002 attributed the rising number of aircraft accidents and death of IAF personnel to a lack of training and a shortage of Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT).
“The Ministry of Defence has stated that the Indian Air Force has lost 102 MiG21 aircraft and 39 pilots in air accidents during the last ten years. An amount of Rs.311.99 crore has been lost in terms of the cost of the aircraft and Rs. 353.34 crore as the cost incurred in training of 39 pilots killed in these accidents”, the committee observed in its sixteenth report.
“Although the Ministry of Defence has initiated several measures to reduce aircraft accidents human error (Aircrew/Technical) accounts for a substantial percentage of accidents/incidents. Measures to enhance the quality of training to improve skill levels, the ability to exercise sound judgement and improve situational awareness are constantly being reviewed and implemented. The Ministry of Defence has also stated that renewed thrust on acquiring simulators and the AJT is a step towards improving the quality of man behind the machine,” the committee inferred.
Without mincing words, the SCOD went on to add that:
“In a written reply to the question of acquisition of an ‘Advanced Jet Trainer’ the Ministry of Defence has stated that the Commercial negotiation with the shortlisted vendor has remained inconclusive and that it would not be possible to lay down a time limit for such a major procurement project, however, the Government is keen on early finalisation of the issue.
The Ministry of Defence has also stated that at present, stageIll or the operational conversion training is being carried out on the MiG-21 FL aircraft, which are now slated for depletion commencing this year. In case there is further delay in the procurement of the AJT, the IAF would be constrained to use the later vintage MiG-21 Bis aircraft, currently deployed in operational squadrons, for training. This would effectively reduce the available strength of squadrons for operational duties,
mig-27 IAF mig-21
as The Then, MinisTeR OF sTaTe (MOs) FOR deFenCe sUBhash BhaMRe TOLd The LOk saBha, Ten sqUadROns OF The indian aiR FORCe (iaF) eqUiPPed WiTh MiG-21 and MiG-27 aiRCRaFT aRe sChedULed TO ReTiRe By 2024 On COMPLeTiOn OF TheiR TOTaL TeChniCaL LiFe. This Means ThaT iaF’s sTRenGTh WOULd Be RedUCed TO jUsT 11 sqUadROns By 2024
which would have to be made up by the induction of some fighter aircraft. Some schemes for the induction of aircraft are in the pipeline. The PAC in their 29th report on “Aircraft Accidents in Indian Air Force’ have pointed out that the unabated accidents involving fighter aircraft, MiG variants in particular underscore the urgent need for replacing the ageing fleet and the immediate induction of AJT.
The Committee again stress that the urgent requirements of the IAF particularly those pertaining to training should be taken up expeditiously to induce confidence in the operational flying units of the Indian Air Force. The acquisition of the AJT has been hanging for almost two decades. From the early 80s when a Special Committee on Flight Safety (SCFS) was constituted in August 1982 under the Chairmanship of the then Air Marshal La Fontaine which emphasised the need for a suitable trainer and the Air Staff Target (AST) which was cast by the Air Headquarters in 1984, the Government has failed to acquire an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), till today.”
Impressing upon the Government to expedite the modernisation of the IAF at the earliest, the Committee observed that air superiority plays a crucial role in modem warfare.
“The Committee are unhappy to note that the major modernisation schemes for the Air Force have not materialised during the year 20012002. The urgent requirement of the Indian Air Force which has been pending for a very long time, especially the AJT, AWACS & LLTRs and also Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and Surveillance Radar Element (SRE) could not be made available to the IAF in spite of the funds allocated for the same during the year.”
As things stand today, apart from Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT), the IAF’s bucket list includes - Air Borne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), MiG-29, Mi-17 Helicopters, Low-Level Transportable Radars (LLTRs), Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), and Surveillance Radar Element (SRE) etc. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is understood to have drawn up a three-year timeline to phase out the remaining four MiG-21 and three MiG-29 squadrons of fighter jets in the next five years.
The plan is to retire all four MiG-21 squadrons by 2025 including the Srinagar-based No 51 squadron known as ‘Swordarms’ which will be number-plated on September 30. Number plating implies the retirement of an entire squadron which typically comprises 17-20 aircraft. The No 51 squadron took part in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ during the Kargil war in 1999 as well as the Balakot air strike against Pakistan in 2019.
Currently, the IAF has around 70 MiG-21 aircraft and 50 MiG29 variants. The MiG-21s have been the mainstay of the IAF for a long time but have been in the news because poor safety record of late. Likewise, the 40-year-old MiG-29s inducted into the IAF fleet in the 1980s will have to be phased out over a period of five years by 2027-28. Some of the other frontline aircraft in the IAF inventory include Jaguars, which too will have to be phased out by the end of this decade.
India had procured 272 Su30s from Russia and has around 12 Su-30 squadrons in service, out of which at any given time around 40-50 aircraft are at HAL for overhaul repairs. Significantly a large number of Sukhoi-30 and other fighters are on the ground because of a lack of spares.
In the last couple of years, several steps have been taken to increase the fleet modernisation and serviceability of the Russian equipment, including the Su-30 which constitutes a significant number in the IAF inventory. Similarly, efforts are on to improve the mission capabilities, fly by wire and flight controls within the country. The IAF is looking to add new weapons, avionics and sensors and engines to keep the Su-30MKIs flying for the next few decades. Besides the Su-30 aircraft,
light combat Aircraft (lcA) tejas
dassault rafale on the sky
the IAF has three squadrons each of the Mirage 2000 and MiG-29, and four squadrons of Jaguar aircraft in its inventory.
Due to delays in acquisitions, the IAF has been forced to continue the last four MiG-21 Bison squadrons which are at the fag-end of their technical life. India is currently the largest operator of MiG-21 Bison, with an estimated 100+ aircraft on duty.
All this boils down to the fact that even in the next 10-15 years, it will not be possible for the IAF to reach the sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons worked out in the aftermath of the 1962 war. Though the IAF has been urging the government during the annual IAF Commanders Conferences to build up the strength of the combat fleet, but to no avail. Perhaps, because of a perception in the minds of Defence ministry ‘Babus’ who seriously believe that conventional wars are not likely to happen, hence do not give aircraft purchases - the attention it deserves.
To bridge this gap the IAF plans to build around 100 advanced fighter jets in India as part of the Make in India initiative.
The Defence ministry is learnt to have signed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 83 Tejas fighter aircraft to make up for the replacement of IAF’s ageing fighter fleet. The IAF is also in the process of procuring 114 MultiRole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and 36 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters to overcome the critical shortages facing the IAF.
India is also reliably learnt to be working on an ambitious $5 billion project to develop a fifth-generation medium-weight deep penetration fighter jet to strengthen its air strike potential.
India is now looking for foreign partners to develop of its own stealth jet and betting big on Tejas - a multi-role supersonic fighter equipped with a digital fly-bywire Flight Control System (FCS). Already USA, Malaysia, Argentina, Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, and the Philippines are understood to have shown interest in procuring the indigenously designed and developed single-engine Tejas fighter jets.
A grim reality that cannot be ignored is that in the absence of a better alternative, India is forced to purchase second-hand to meet the immediate requirement of spare parts or make do with second-best equipment sourced from unreliable suppliers who for purely commercial reasons also end up doing business with India’s adversaries. For instance, out of sheer desperation, India was forced to source 24 Mirage aircraft from France. Only 13 of the 24 Mirage 2000 fighters were operationally intact, while the remaining 11 aircraft consisted of engines, airframes, ejection seats and fuel tanks. This was the need of the hour to procure spare parts for IAF’s two combat squadrons.
There is no magic bullet that can reverse this trend, but then it is also true that India is quite capable of developing its own weapons systems – much superior to those possessed by its adversaries. But why hasn’t it been doing so – is anybody’s guess. Make in India – is the only option that India will have to explore today as well as in future.
-The writer is a seasoned media professional with over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and web media. He is presently Editor of Taazakhabar News. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
