Nov 14, 2010

Indian Air Force: Forward Projections

The Air Force Day on 8 October each year provides a good occasion for review of the capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Describing the existing security scenario in India's neighbourhood as "a volcano", Air Chief Marshal P V Naik exhorted, "air warriors" to be fully-prepared to tackle any eventuality. "The current security scenario is like a volcano and may test your skills anytime without warning. These times require swift action and commitment," said ACM Naik, addressing the 78th IAF Day parade at the Hindon airbase. The IAF chief, on his however said, ''As an air force, our operational preparedness has to remain high due to the complexity and intensity of threats. Our speed of response, flexibility and precise employment of aerospace assets will be the key to success.''

Unfolding his vision for IAF's future, ACM Naik said, ''The IAF must be capable of dominating the entire spectrum of information, airspace and cyberspace, where we can conduct operations in the future on our own terms.'' ''IAF today is on the threshold of becoming a dynamic aerospace power with sophisticated, specialist weapons, unchallenged strategic reconnaissance and airlift capability, comprehensive air defence systems... With this healthy mix, I am sure we will be able to accomplish our assignments with speed and precision,'' he added.

With major attention focused on the MMRCA project, ACM Naik said he expected the $10.4 billion MMRCA project to be finalized by July 2011. ''We submitted the MMRCA report (after field trials of the six fighters) to the defence ministry on July 30 this year. If everything goes off well, then the contract should be signed by July 30 next year,'' said IAF chief separately.

The static display of some IAF aircraft and arsenal provided glimpse of the IAF’s lethal strike capability. The equipment on display included Brahmos land attack supersonic cruise missile, MiG-29 air superiority fighter aircraft, MI-17 1V medium lift helicopter, Dornier transport aircraft, HAWK MK 132, Advanced Jet Trainer, Mirage-2000, Jaguar DPSA (Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft), MiG - 21 Bison, Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft and Transporter and Loading Vehicles (TLVs) for the Pechora missile .The participating aircraft in the air display included Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters, Dornier, Avro, AN-32 Transport aircraft, while the fighter included Jaguars, Mig-21 Bis, Mig-29, Mirage-2000 and Su-30 MKIs.

However earlier the Air Chief created a minor storm by declaring that 50% of its systems and equipment were obsolete and steps were being taken to bring down the obsolescence levels in the next four to five years. "The obsolescence percentage is 50%," Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said here adding that "by 2014-15, it would come down to 20%". Asked which the most critical area for the force was in this regard, Naik said, "Air Defence. That will be the only word." The Air Chief made it clear that even with 50% obsolete equipment, the IAF was capable of handling threats from the medium of air and space. "We are fully capable of defending the country from any threat."

The IAF has been developing air defence network and has ordered over six squadrons of the indigenously-made Akash air defence systems and the Spyder Medium-range Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM) system from Israel along with aerostat radars. The force is looking at deploying low-level and medium-level transportable radars at different locations and is also planning to procure radars for high altitude.

Naik said the procurement plans of the IAF stood on "four pillars of see, reach, hit and protect." Naik said, "Air Force prepares for multi-front war. It is not single-front or other front or something."It is in terms of allocation of forces that you distinguish. Otherwise, we are preparing for multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, multi-front war."

250 Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft [FGFA], 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, 270 Sukhoi-30MKIs and 120 indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft will be the mainstay of India's fighter fleet for the foreseeable future.

NOV 2010