Military
Acquisitions
The LCA Mk2 is under development and would be an enlarged variant of Mk1. The ‘roll out’ of the first prototype is scheduled for December 2022 and IAF plans to induct 200 aircraft beginning in 2028.
Fighter Acquisition for the IAF: Options for India At the current pace of acquisitions and indigenous development, the Indian Air Force can at best restore the authorised strength of 42 fighter squadrons earliest by 2038
Photograph: IAF_MCC / Twitter
By Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd) In a media interaction in October 2021, after taking over as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari said, “The Indian Air Force (IAF) is focused on future warfare. Offensive strike capability will become even more potent with the induction of weapon systems of cutting edge technology. With the upcoming induction of Tejas Mk1A and S-400 missiles, the IAF will be even stronger. Restoring the strength of fighter squadrons is a priority. Meanwhile, the serious show-
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down with China in Ladakh that continues has brought greater focus and discussion on the IAF’s growth and its challenges. STATE OF IAF FIGHTER FLEET The IAF is today at a low of 32 fighter squadrons vis-a-vis the authorised 42. The numbers would go down further when MiG21 Bison are phased out. The Jaguar will be in service for at least another decade. The process to acquire 126 Medium Multi-Role
ISSUE 5 • 2022
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