IAF’s long-term perspective plan, based on the perceived security challenges up to the end of the Fourteenth Five Year Plan indicates that it will progressively build its strength and capability to face a two-front war. Hopefully, adequate budgetary support would be available in the years to come through to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Plans for the programme to stay on track. The IAF may have its wish list, but the budget must provide for at least the next decade, if not more, for plans to transform into reality.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has come a long way from its humble beginnings to becoming a strategic force today with tremendous potential to deter adversaries. Currently, the IAF is embarked on a comprehensive modernisation drive to significantly enhance all facets of capability through a string of new acquisition and upgrades. Its long-term perspective plan (LTPP), based on the perceived security challenges up to the end of the Fourteenth Five Year Plan indicates that it will progressively build its strength and capability to face a two-front war. It aims to possess a credible airlift capability with extended reach and ability to deploy Special Forces. It will continue to maintain a combat fleet strength of 34 squadrons through the Twelfth Five Year Plan, reaching 42 squadrons by the Fourteenth Five Year Plan and hopefully touch 45 squadrons by the centenary year of 2032.

Combat Aircraft

As part of the modernisation programme for the combat fleet which is the sharp end of the IAF, the Mirage 2000, Jaguar and the Mig-29 fleets are being upgraded to meet the needs of the future. The IAF is also keen for a replacement for the fivesquadron fleet which has been overtaken by obsolescence. The choice for the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) has been narrowed down to the Dassault Rafale and is in the final stages of contract negotiations. The contract was to be signed in the current fiscal but with the cut in the budget announced recently, finalisation of the contract may be pushed to the next financial year. The first batch of aircraft would then be inducted in service with a slight delay from the initial schedule of late 2014, to remain flying for the next 40 years. Including in the list of multi-role platforms, the IAF has also decided to increase the size of the Su-30MKI fleet and build up to a strength of 15 squadrons.

With a view to induct fifth generation technology with stealth and swing role capability, India has entered into an agreement with Russia for the joint development of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), a twin-seat derivative of the PAK-FA T-50. The FGFA programme is progressing well and the first prototype is likely to be delivered in India next year followed by two more prototypes subsequently in 2017 or a little later. By the end of the Fifteenth Five Year Plan, it is expected that the IAF inventory would largely comprise fourth- and fifth-generation combat aircraft.

Phasing out of the MiG-21, which commenced some years ago, will continue and is likely to be completed by end 2013 barring a few MiG-21 Bison which will continue in service for a few more years. The indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas is yet to achieve final operational clearance (FOC), leading to a delay in its induction. This aircraft to be fitted with the GE-414 engine to exploit its full potential is expected to serve the IAF till its centenary year.

Transport Aircraft and Helicopters

Apart from the combat element of the IAF, there is a special focus on the strategic reach capability too. With the bulk of the transport fleet being almost three decades old, there was an urgent need for new acquisitions. The first step towards modernisation was taken by the induction of the state-of-the-art C-130J Super Hercules four-engine turboprop aircraft. Six of these were procured initially and a follow up order for another six have been placed. This fleet is meant to provide the reach and delivery capabilities of the Special Forces. These aircraft also fill the gap in the medium-heavy category, resulting from the phasing out of the An-12 fleet in the late 1990s.

The IL-76 strategic airlift aircraft has performed well since its induction in the IAF. It may still have a few years of service life but it cannot be ignored that the aircraft is ageing. IAF has done well to induct the C-17 Globemaster III, which as a 75-tonne payload capability and trans-continental range. Ten of these have been ordered with the first likely to be delivered sometimes this year and the delivery is to be completed in 2014. There is also likelihood of the IAF ordering additional six to ten aircraft, which if procured, would make it the largest C-17 operator outside of the US. The aircraft, with its capability of operating from high-altitude airfields in hot weather conditions, will provide the long required means to shorten the effective deployment timelines, both inter-theatre and intra-theatre, besides giving the flexibility of response at the national and international levels.

The more than 100-strong fleet of An-32 with five-tonne payload capability inducted in the mid-1980s has been the workhorse of the IAF. The fleet has been given a fresh lease of life with a mid-life upgrade and will see the IAF through to the centenary year of 2032. It is planned to be supplemented and in due course replaced by a 100-seater multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) that is being developed as a joint venture with Russia. This 15 to 20-tonne class aircraft is expected to meet the tactical requirements of the air forces of Russia and India. A civil version will also be produced for the domestic and export markets.

The Ministry of Defence has recently approved a replacement for the HS748 Avro aircraft procured in the mid-1960s from the UK. For the first time, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is not being involved as its order-books are already overflowing. The selected original equipment manufacturer will chose either a public or a private sector company as its partner and will provide a tremendous boost to the domestic aerospace sector. The light-weight Do228 Dornier produced by HAL is likely to continue in service as a communication and training aircraft, as the IAF has ordered an additional 14 of these.

The strength of the helicopter fleet is also slated for an increase. In the indigenous segment, induction in large numbers is under way of the advanced light helicopter Dhruv, its weaponised version, the Rudra, the newly designed light combat helicopter and the light utility helicopter. The IAF is also inducting the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, the CH47F Chinook heavy-lift machine and the Augusta AW101 for VIP use. In addition, 80 MI-17V5 medium-lift helicopters are also under procurement and the global tender for 197 light-utility helicopters is expected to be finalised soon. With the numbers being ordered and an option for “more of the same”, the fleet will have a varied inventory of Russian, American, European and indigenous helicopters to see it through to the centenary year.