INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL INDIAN AIR FORCE

HADR – IAF THE FIRST RESPONDER

The IAF has invariably been the first responder in most HADR operations in aid to civil power. IAF today has very significant transport aircraft (C-17, C-130, IL-76, An-32) and helicopter (Mi-17, Chinook, ALH, Chetak) assets with heavy lift capability and global reach. Most recently IAF aircraft were used for evacuating Indians from Sudan, including night missions from semi-prepared surfaces. Earlier similar missions were flown from Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan (1990); Lebanon (2006); Libya (2011); Yemen (2015); and Wuhan and Iran (2000). IAF led the drinking water supply ‘Operation Neer’ to Maldives (2014). During the 2015 Nepal earthquake, IAF and Indian Army made 2,223 sorties and rescued 11,200 people. IAF was in action in Odisha Cyclone (1999); Bhuj Earthquake (2001); Tsunami (2004); Sikkim earthquake (2011); Uttarakhand floods and Category 5 super cyclone Phailin in Odisha (2013); and Kerala floods (2018). IAF had deployed 42 transport aircraft for COVID relief. IAF helicopters with bambi-bucket routinely extinguish fires. In 2022, IAF flew 220 sorties to meet casualty evacuation demands of various State authorities.

IAF’s emergency response teams are located at all major transport airbases. IAF Rapid Aero Medical Teams (RAMT) are positioned at vantage locations. All IAF bases have coordination with local Indian Army units and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) battalions. IAF aircraft, including UAVs, are used for aerial assessment of disasters.

International Air Exercises And Interoperability

As IAF begins to plan a multi-nation large force exercise “Tarang Shakti”, it has come a long way in carrying out international exercises with all major air forces of the world. Three Rafale just took part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris. IAF and USAF participate in bilateral US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) sponsored Field Training Exercise (FTX) Cope India series, conducted in India. Exercise ‘Garuda’ series is with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) held alternatively in India and France. The 17-nation Multilateral Exercise ‘Pitch Black’ was held at Darwin, Australia in September 2022. IAF has been participating since 2018. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the IAF have been carrying out bilateral exercise SINDEX since 2004. IAF and Royal Air Force (RAF), conduct Exercise “Indradhanush” since 2006, held in both India and the UK. IAF has also been participating in the US Air Force (USAF) ‘Red Flag’ exercise in Nellis Air Force Base, and at Eielson AFB in Alaska in the United States. Desert Eagle is multi-lateral exercise organised by United Arab Emirates Air Force. IAF has also been participating in exercise Eastern Bridge with Oman. Blue Flag is a military aviation exercise held by the Israeli Air Force. In July 2022, the IAF carried out a onemonth long engagement with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) at the Egyptian Fighter Weapon School, in Cairo. The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) and IAF participated in bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 in 2018 at IAF airbase in Agra. In January 2023, the bilateral air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ was held between the IAF and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) in Japan. IAF participate in Exercise Orion at the Mont-de-Mar- san airbase in France, and exercise INIOCHOS at Andravida base in Greece in April-May 2023. These exercises improve tactics and interoperability and expose crew to newer ideas and concepts.

IAF’S GLOBAL REACH

IAF recently carried out three long-range missions to train for and showcase its long-range strike and air patrol capability. These were flown by the Su-30 MKI, and Rafale fighters. They were supported by the IAF’s IL-78 Flight Refueller Aircraft (FRA) for inflight refuelling, and the IL-76 based Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft for aerial radar cover, and command and control. Any significant global power must have the capability for “global vigilance and global reach”. These 7-10 hour long missions were a step in that direction. IAF must ensure the country has “freedom from attack and the freedom to attack”. India’s immediate area of regional influence demands ability to cover and dominate the entire Bay of Bengal up to and beyond the Malacca Strait. Have an operational reach till British Indian Ocean territories (Diego Garcia) in northern Indian Ocean. Similarly cover the entire Arabian Sea up to Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman. The strategic long-range missions demonstrate area domination and area denial capability. One can recall how all the Rafale aircraft were ferried nonstop from France to India by undertaking mid-air refuelling enroute. The above mentioned international evacuation and disaster relief missions have showcased India’s rapid mobility capabilities. From Andaman and Nicobar Islands, IAF can launch missions till South China Sea with a single aerial refuelling. With Operational logistics agreement with all QUAD members and other friendly neighbours, IAF will be able to use their airfields.

Faced with the possibility of a twofront war, IAF is down to 31 fighter squadrons, vis-à-vis the authorised 42. IAF’s combat fleet and force multipliers, AEW&C aircraft and FRA, numbers have to go up significantly.

Glorious Past But Challenges Ahead

IAF has had a glorious past, but there are challenges ahead. China’s PLAAF is pushing ahead in both technology and numbers of air assets. Pakistan with the help of China is catching up. There is a spectre of twofront war. IAF is down to 31 fighter squadrons, vis-à-vis authorised 42. IAF’s force multipliers, AEW&C aircraft and FRA, numbers have to go up for the continental sized country. The Indian armed forces mostly have imported Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). India’s ‘Tapas’ UAV and ‘Ghatak’ UCAV need to be accelerated. India needs to induct more combat UAVs in the meantime. Drones, drone swarms, manned-unmanned teaming are all work still in slow progressed. IAF is now a fully networked force. Cyber and electronic warfare capability will have to cater for very active highly contested environment. Spacebased surveillance assets have to go up. India has a successful missile programme. Ukraine war has indicated need for larger weapon stocking and securing supply chains. Developing and imbibing newer technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing, hypersonic and directed energy systems would be important. Indigenisation ‘Atmanirbharta’ is getting the needed push at highest levels, but much more has still to be achieved. For India to become a significant power, the LCA and AMCA programmes must not only succeed but need hastening. Time to act is now, lest we get left far behind. SP