Post-Op Sindoor, proposal to enhance IAF’s combat strength on cards

Sources in the military establishment confirmed to the Tribune that the upper ceiling of ‘42 squadrons’ was under a review. Each squadron has 16-18 jets.

An internal assessment carried out after the skirmish with Pakistan between May 7 and 10 suggests that the mandate of 42 squadrons may not be enough in the future. The assessment on adding more numbers to the IAF mandate suggests a substantial increase over the existing mandate of 42 squadrons.

A fresh mandate will also need a clearance of the CCS. An estimate is that the mandated strength may go up by 30-35 percent.

Pakistan and China have been rapidly adding numbers and upgrading technology of their respective fleet of jets. The 42-squadron strength of the IAF was mandated to tackle a simultaneous two-front war with Pakistan and China.

In its report to the US Congress titled ‘Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China-2024’, the US Department of Defence says China’s air force and navy have a combined strength of almost 1,900 fighter jets.

“The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aviation together constitute the largest aviation forces in the region and the third largest in the world,” added the report.

Conversely, in India, despite the mandate of having 42 squadron, the IAF has never had those many numbers in its fleet. The IAF hit a peak of 41 squadrons in 1996 and the numbers have been on a steady decline ever since.

On September 26, the IAF will formally retire its last two squadrons of MiG-21 fighter jet, plunging to its lowest combat strength in the past six decades.

The IAF at present has 31 squadrons and the phase out of MiG-21 would mean the IAF would be down to 29 squadrons, lower than its strength during the 1965 war with Pakistan.

The induction of the Tejas Mark- 1A fighter jet – which was aimed at bolstering these numbers -- has also been delayed. Deliveries of the jet were to start in March 2024 with at least 16 planes to be delivered to IAF every year. So far, not a single Tejas Mark-1A has been delivered by the manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The IAF had planned to have a replacement for MiG-21 ready by 1994. The last variant of the MiG-21 Bis was produced in 1985.