IAF urgently needs force and punch for regional air superiority

A fighter pilot and a man who measures his words, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha hit the proverbial nail on its head at the ongoing Aero India show in Bangalore, saying, “We urgently need planes, it may not necessarily be the Rafale.”

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Cost negotiations with the Rafale makers, French major Dassault Aviation, have dragged on since January 2012. This was the second time in four months that the Indian Air Force chief publicly spelt out the urgency and his anguish at the languid pace of decision-making. In the run-up to IAF Day on October 8, he had warned: “We have quite a few fighter jet fleets which are on their last legs.”

Short of squadrons: India has 34 fighter jet squadrons (16-18 planes in each) against its own projected need of 42 to tackle a simultaneous two-front war scenario with China and Pakistan. A large number of these are slated for phasing out. A mixed ancestry and level of technology marks the fighter jet fleet of 640, largely imported from Russia over the past 30 years. British and French companies have supplied 150 fighter jets.

Two-pronged worry: One is to replace the obsolete MiG-21s and MiG-27s, the Soviet Union era single-engine fighter jets, some 260 in number. The second is the need to ramp up the numbers and add 145-150 jets to have a fleet that is 42-squadron strong.  In total, 400 jets are needed over the next 10 years and deliveries are years away. The MiG-21 and MiG-27 planes are slated for progressive phasing out till 2022.

Choices India HAS

Fifth generation fighter aircraft

The India-Russia joint-production plan for the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) was to have a first prototype with the IAF in 2017. However, New Delhi and Moscow are still struggling to iron out differences to sign a joint US $11 billion “full design R&D contract”. IAF was looking for 200 of these swing-role stealth fighters from 2022 onwards, but now wants only 140, which will cost about US $35 billion.

French deal

Much awaited, the deal is to buy 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) from Dassault Aviation. The first 18 jets are to be imported and the rest manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The French have told India that they cannot stand guarantee for planes made by HAL. The Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for 2012-2027 lists the MMRCA project deliveries as the replacement of MiG-21. It would take 3-4 years for the first squadron of MMRCA to arrive and another 7-8 years for the rest. For now, the IAF Chief has ruled out any ‘Plan B’ if the French deal does not work out.

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas

India’s own produced Light Combat Aircraft is yet to get its final operational clearance. The first LCA has been handed to the IAF and the final operational has been pushed back by one year to December 2015. It could be 2017 by the time the first squadron is ready. The HAL has produced the jet powered by General Electric 404 engines. The IAF initially ordered two squadrons and a Mark-II version, with GE 414 engines, is under development.

Upgrades Delayed

The Indian Air Force launched separate programmes to extend the lifespans of 210 fighter jets of Russian, British and French parentage. All of these are running behind schedule. “The MiG-29, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar upgrades are running concurrently; some have lagged behind,” a senior functionary said.

MiG-29s fleet

The 62-strong Soviet-origin MiG-29s fleet is being upgraded at a cost of US $964 million. These will have the Zhuk-M2E radar, an infrared search-and-track system (IRST).

Jaguar fighter fleet

The 120 British-origin Jaguar fighter jets are also being upgraded to DARIN-III or Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation standards. The jets will have advanced missiles, engines, auto pilot and avionics like a head-up display and all-glass cockpit. The new F-125-IN engines from US major Honeywell, at a cost of US $700 million, will be fitted to replace the Rolls Royce Adour Mk 811 that powers the Jaguar currently. The first of the re-engined Jaguar strike fighters are scheduled to enter operational service by 2016.

Mirage 2000 fleet

The French origin fleet of 49 aircraft is being upgraded under a Rs 17,547-crore project okayed in 2011. This will extend the life of the planes by 10-15 years, besides the addition of a new radar with greater air-air and air-ground capability, a new night vision compatible all-digital cockpit, and improved electronic warfare systems.

fleet strength of iaf

MiG 21 and MiG-23

MiG-21s were commissioned in the 1960s and formed the mainstay of the IAF fighter fleet for a long time. The process of decommissioning started over a decade ago and only a few squadrons of MiG-21 Bis and the upgraded MiG-21 Bison remain in service. These would be replaced by the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft as and when it enters service. 

The MiG-23, which was procured to counter the Pakistani F-16s, has been decommissioned with a few specially-modified aircraft for electronic warfare and tactical evaluation remaining in service.

MiG-27 Ground Attack Aircraft

On its last legs, a part of the MiG-27 fleet underwent a comprehensive upgrade to increase its service life and mission capability, with the remaining fleet being in the process of decommissioning at the end of its remaining technical life. With a total strength of 86 aircraft, the aircraft has seen service with, among other squadrons, the 10, 18, 22, 29 and 222.

MiG-29 Air Superiority Fighter

IAF operates 66 MiG-29 aircraft in three squadrons — the 28, 47 and 223. Inducted in 1980s, the MiG-29 fleet is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade with more advanced systems and weapons.

Jaguar Ground Attack Aircraft

IAF operates several squadrons of this Anglo-French strike fighter, many of them licensed produced by HAL, with fleet strength estimates varying from 110 to 140 aircraft, including a flight dedicated to maritime strike role. Jaguar units include 5, 6, 14, 16, 27 and 224 squadrons. This fleet is amidst a service life upgrade featuring advanced navigational and attack systems.

Mirage 2000 Multi-role Fighter

With a fleet strength of 54, the French-made fighter flies with the 1, 7 and 9 squadrons. IAF is upgrading its Mirage 2000 to the Mirage 2000-4 Mk II configuration, featuring better avionics suite.and life extension.