Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force in a dialoguewith Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia, Editor, SP’s Aviation, spoke in detail about IAF’s capacity enhancement plans to meet future security challenges. In the first instalment of the interview, read through what the Air Chief has to say on IAF’s MMRCA, FGFA, LCA and Jaguar programmes.

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): Having completed more than a year now at the helm of one of the largest and battle-tested air forces in the world, what do you reckon are the major challenges facing the Indian Air Force? How have you planned to cope with these?

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS): The IAF’s vision envisages a modern force capable of addressing multi-dimensional and multifront threats. The wars of the future would be short and intense wherein the application of aerospace power would prove to be the decisive factor in winning. Hence, one of the major challenges for us is to ensure that the IAF continues to remain a contemporary aerospace power, capable of meeting all security challenges of the future and therefore, our capability enhancement plans cater to this requirement. Due importance is also being given to training and preparing our air warriors to absorb new technology in the shortest possible time so that we remain technologically at par with the leading air forces of the world. Additionally, emphasis is also being given to synthetic training aids, simulators and acquiring modern training aircraft. As you are aware, the Hawk aircraft has already been operationalised fully in the training role and this will be followed by the induction of Pilatus basic trainer in February 2013.

SP’s: “The IAF in metamorphic transformation” is an oftrepeated statement which continues to emanate from different quarters, within and outside the ‘establishment’. Do you agree? If so, could you elaborate, especially with regard to its ideology, concepts and doctrines, etc?

CAS: We have embarked on a comprehensive modernisation programme which will transform the IAF into a strategic force, capable of addressing diverse security challenges of the future. Our modernisation programme includes new inductions as well as upgrades of the existing weapon platforms and systems. Induction of additional Su-30 MKI, light combat aircraft (LCA), medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) and fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) are planned to enhance our overall combat potential. Upgrades of Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 aircraft are also being undertaken to extend their operational life. In addition, induction of C-17, C-130J, attack helicopters, medium-lift and heavy-lift helicopters will also enhance our operational capability. Our air defence network is being made more robust with induction of radars and missiles of various classes. We are also progressing well towards having full network-centric operations. To my mind, no other air force of our size has embarked on such a modernisation drive and that too within such a short period of time. To enable optimum exploitation of these platforms and networks, we are concurrently evolving our concept of operations (CONOPS) and relevant operational doctrines.

SP’s: What are the key ingredients of the IAF’s latest revised doctrine? Does it mesh well with the Joint Sea-Air-Land Doctrine (if there is any such thing in the true sense of it, in the Indian context)? Please elucidate.

CAS: The basic doctrine of the IAF has been revised and declassified. In keeping with the evolutionary nature of warfare and the need to stay relevant across the spectrum of conflict, the revised doctrine addresses all the contemporary challenges and war-fighting concepts. It also includes the aspects of air, land and maritime operations.

SP’s: What impressions did you form after your recent visit to Russia? Would you like to share these especially with regard to the vital Indo-Russian joint fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and medium multi-role transport aircraft (MMTA) programmes?

CAS: The FGFA programme is progressing well. Negotiations are in progress to sign the research and development (R&D) Phase contract by the end of this year. The first prototype is likely to be delivered in India in 2014 followed by two more prototypes to follow later in 2017 and 2019. These three prototypes will be the development aircraft for the project and the series production will only be ordered based on the final configuration and performance of the third prototype. The medium transport aircraft (MTA) of 15-20 tonne (payload) category is being jointly developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and UAC, Russia. The general contract was signed in May 2012. The Preliminary Design Phase contract is being finalised and is likely to be signed shortly. A total of 45 MTAs are proposed to be inducted from 2018 onwards.

SP’s: Could you give an update on the current status of the IAF’s combat squadrons’ strength? What steps are being undertaken to reach a figure of 42 Squadrons by the end of the Thirteenth Five Year Plan (2022) as promised by Defence Minister A.K. Antony a couple of years ago?

CAS: At present the IAF has 34 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. The number of fighter squadrons is likely to remain at 34 squadrons during the Twelfth Five Year Plan period. The phasing out of certain legacy aircraft in beginning of Thirteenth Five Year Plan period would be offset by raising of the new Su-30 Squadrons, therefore, the overall combat potential will remain high. The drawdown in the number of combat squadrons is being addressed through upgradation of some of the existing aircraft like the Mirage 2000, Jaguar and MiG-29 and new acquisitions like additional Su-30 MKI, MMRCA, LCA and FGFA in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Five Year Plan periods.

SP’s: You flew the Rafale during your last visit to France and the French Air Force? What are your personal impressions of the aircraft? Would it be a worthy fourth generation plus jet fighter for the IAF? What capability accretion do you envisage for the IAF with the acquisition of Rafale? Most importantly, when is the contract likely to be inked and when would the Rafale be inducted into the IAF?

CAS: The Rafale is a combat proven fourth generation+ swing role aircraft equipped with high technology sensors and electronic warfare (EW) suite, including a state-of-the-art airborne electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The robust system architecture capable of data fusion, along with an outstanding weapon carrying capability gives the Rafale true versatility to undertake a wide range of operational missions. The combat capabilities of Rafale were adequately proven in the recent air operations in Libya. The induction of Rafale in the IAF along with associated weaponry will indeed prove to be a game changer in the IAF’s combat capability. Commercial negotiations are currently in progress, and we intend to sign the contract during the current financial year. The first batch of aircraft is likely to be inducted three years after the signing of the contract.

SP’s: Could you give a detailed update on the indigenous LCA (Tejas) programme? When would the aircraft be in a position to achieve full-fledged final operational clearance (FOC)? How will the issue of the first 40 aircraft fitted with the underpowered GE 404 IN engines be sorted out in the long run? How many squadrons of Tejas Mark II are envisaged for induction in the IAF? Lastly, what would be the IAF’s employment philosophy for Tejas?

CAS: The IAF has placed an order for the procurement of 40 LCA (Tejas) aircraft with HAL. The programme is running behind schedule with the revised initial operational clearance (IOC II) now planned in 2013. The final operational clearance (FOC) is expected to be achieved two years after IOC II. As far as the power plant is concerned, the thrust available from the engine fitted on the LCA is as per the desired specifications. The IAF plans to raise a total of six squadrons of the LCA by 2021-22. However, the configuration of the balance aircraft would be with the new GE 414 engine, for which the request for proposal (RFP) has already been issued to GE.

SP’s: Could you give an update on the stalled re-engining programme for the jaguar aircraft? What are the chances of its revival and which way is it likely to head?

CAS: Contrary to common perceptions, let me reiterate that the re-engining programme on the Jaguar aircraft is not stalled. It is a complex programme with many associated technological challenges that the IAF is minutely looking into. The programme is being actively pursued and we have already obtained the government approval for the programme. The RFP is being issued shortly.

(To be Continued)