76 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE –IAF’S GREAT PAST BUT CHALLENGING FUTURE

Charged with the significant task of safeguarding India’s airspace, IAF has consistently served the nation with distinction since its inception. As the threat landscape and modern technologies continue to advance, the force remains committed to evolve and modernise itself

By AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA (RETD)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was established on October 8, 1932. It got its first four Westland Wapiti IIA biplane aircraft on April 1, 1933 when No.1 Squadron was formed with six RAF-trained officers and 19 Havai Sepoys (air soldiers) at Drigh Road, Karachi. As India celebrates 76 years of independence, the IAF has come a long way, and today is the fourth largest air force with global reach, long-range precision strike capability, and ability to exercise dominance over the region between the West Asia and ASEAN countries. It has built major capabilities and experience in handling humanitarian aid and disaster relief

(HADR) operations at global scale and is a first responder in the region. IAF is, what it is today, due grit and determination of its air warriors, and years of wartime exposure, and training, including with most of the major air forces of the world.

Early Air Exposure

IAF saw early army-support action in North West Frontier Province in mid 1930s. As the World War II expanded to southeast Asia, additional squadrons were formed, starting 1941. IAF saw operational action in the “Burma Champaign” from 1942 onwards. IAF pilots also took part in the air campaign in Europe, having being attached to the Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons. The Americans built a large number of airfields in the India’s east to fly logistic support missions to China against the Japanese. The operation called “The Hump” involved flying dangerous missions across the Himalayan Jungles. Many of these airfields were later inherited and upgraded by the IAF.

1947-48 AIR OPERATIONS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Immediately after independence, when Pakistani intruders began moving into Jammu and Kashmir, and were about to reach Srinagar, the Maharaja signed the instrument of Accession to Indian on October 26, 1947. IAF which had just seven Dakota light transport aircraft began moving Indian Army troops to Srinagar the very next morning. Srinagar and Jammu had mud airstrips, and Punch and Leh had none. Quick move of the Indian Army allowed intruders to be pushed back. Later, the Punch runway was made operational in December 1947 and Leh in May 1948, supporting the defence of Ladakh. IAF Tempest, Spitfire and Harvard aircraft flew significant recce and attack missions against the intruders. Clearly IAF played a very significant role in retrieving J&K and Ladakh. If political executive had allowed continuation, the entire Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) could have been reclaimed.

Iaf Underutilised In 1962 War

The 1950s saw major transformation of IAF and it became the first to get jet fighters in Asia. IAF also got its first Indian Air Chief in Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee in 1954, and also the Air Force Colours. The period saw significant inductions of fighter/ bombers, transport aircraft and helicopters. When the IndiaChina war began in October 1962, IAF had Mystere, Ouragan (Toofani), Gnat, Vampire, Canberra, An-12s, Packets, Caribou, Otters, and Mi-4 aircraft, among some others. The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) had IL-28 Bombers, MiG-15,17, and a few MiG-19 (AD variants). Clearly the IAF was more modern than PLAAF. The USA was going through the Cuba crisis with Soviet Union, and did not want the India-China war to escalate. They reportedly dissuaded India against use of air power. Indian political leadership also over estimated Chinese ability and reaction. IAF fighter operations were severely restricted. Canberra and some fighter aircraft recce sorties were flown in Tibet. Transport aircraft and Helicopters were used to air maintain the Indian Army. IAF An-12Bs airlifted two troops of AMX-13 tanks to Ladakh. Most analysts believe that audacious use of air power would have reduced Indian casualties and territorial loss.

1965 AND 1971 INDO-PAK WARS

Practically all wars between India and Pakistan were initiated by Pakistan. 1965 was the first full front war. Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) surprise initial attack did result in IAF losing aircraft in the open on the ground, and learnt the hard way. IAF was