According to Wikipedia, “Force multiplication refers to an attribute or a combination of attributes which make a given force more effective than it would be without it.” The Indian Air Force (IAF) must enhance the effectiveness of its combat squadrons, because not only is their 34-strong figure much less than the planned 42, the number is relentlessly reducing. A further drop to 26 squadrons is likely as obsolescent MiG-21 variants and MiG-27ML aircraft are withdrawn from service by 2022.

For starters, there’s the deal to acquire 36 Dassault Rafale jets in flyaway condition. Later, Rafale or other medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) may also be manufactured indigenously. Although a couple of squadrons of the Tejas Mk I light combat aircraft (LCA) are likely to be in service within the next few years, the first squadron of the more capable Tejas Mk II may take a decade or more for induction. Meanwhile the futuristic fifth-generation HAL advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) is expected only much later. Since the Sukhoi/HAL fifth-generation fighter aircraft project is considerably delayed, the IAF may also opt for a reduced number of these stealth jets off-the-shelf. Since all these inductions are beset with uncertainty, the IAF is pursuing force multipliers with renewed vigour in order to enhance its combat potential. These include Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA), Precision Guided Munitions (PGM), Electronic Countermeasures (ECM), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), stealth technology and military satellites.

Survival Stratagems

IAF strike missions against targets in China or Pakistan are likely to encounter formidable defences in the vicinity of highvalue targets. However, stealth technology can prevent radars and other sensors from detecting and intercepting strike aircraft. This acts as a significant force multiplier. ECM too can significantly degrade the effectiveness of hostile sensors/weapons and frontline jets like the Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguars are well endowed in this respect.

Additionally, standoff PGMs make it unnecessary for strike aircraft to get close to the target. PGMs multiply strike effectiveness by ensuring high accuracy despite possible imprecision of distance, height and speed during weapon release. They enable a target to be attacked with fewer or smaller bombs. The IAF has accurate missiles as well as laser-guided bombs, but these specialist weapons may run out within the first few days of conflict. Therefore, at least 50 per cent of the IAF’s weaponry needs to have some form of terminal guidance. A powerful force multiplier soon to be available is the 290-km-range Indo-Russian BrahMos air-launched supersonic cruise missile integrated on the Su-30MKI. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also taking steps to indigenise next-generation laser guided bombs with standoff ranges of 50 to 100 km, guided by their onboard navigation system.

AWACS – Miles High

The high-flying long-range AWACS uses radar surveillance and secure communications to function as an airborne control centre for air defence. Onboard systems assess the threat and use secure communications to direct strike aircraft on strike missions and control fighters on interception missions.

In May 2009, the IAF inducted the first of its three Phalcon AWACS aircraft. The Israel Aerospace Industries Phalcon system consists of the ELTA ELW-2090 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar mounted on a Russian IL-76 A-50 four-engine jet. It has command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I), a secure data-link and adequate electronic warfare (EW) capability. It can detect, identify and track hundreds of aircraft at any altitude over ranges of several hundred kilometres and respond appropriately. It can also track maritime traffic and ground movements. Although the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the purchase of two more Phalcon AWACS aircraft in February 2014, the proposal may be shelved in favour of indigenous options.

DRDO is developing a smaller indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system using the Embraer EMB-145i regional twinjet. This platform will supplement the more capable Phalcon AWACS. The aircraft has an AESA primary radar, IFF and a secure data-link. The IAF is expected to receive its first system later this year and may induct a dozen or more eventually.

The early conclusion of Airbus A330 MRTT would provide a boost to the IAF’s combat potential

In March 2015, the DAC also sanctioned $818 million for two modified Airbus A-330 wide-body twinjets as the airborne platform for a larger indigenous AWACS. A suitable radar is being developed that will feature both physical and electronic rotation of the radar waves. The system has an ambitious seven-year schedule till readiness. At least 20 AWACS and AEW&C systems plus about 30 fixed aerostats may be required to adequately cover the country’s borders.

Flying till Eternity

The inability of combat aircraft to remain airborne for long used to be a major limitation in their operational employment. For instance, the average duration of a sortie of a MiG-21 aircraft without external fuel tanks is under 30 minutes. Therefore, the introduction of flight refuelling capability in 2003 was a major fillip to the IAF’s combat fleet. Strike aircraft can now takeoff with full weapon load and be refuelled one or more times enroute to the target, deliver weapons and return. The IL-78MKI FRA platforms, purchased from Uzbekistan, can refuel six to eight aircraft per mission. In view of the force multiplier effect of in-flight refuelling, especially for operations against China, all future aircraft acquisitions will have this capability.

Another DAC approved proposal to purchase six twin-engine Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft has been under “final negotiations” for about two years. Its early conclusion would provide a boost to the IAF’s combat potential. The MRTT carries 111 tonnes of fuel and 45 tonnes of payload or up to 380 passengers. Its latest version has advanced avionics, a higher maximum takeoff weight, improved aerodynamics and reduced fuel consumption.

Multiplication – the Unmanned Way

UAVs enjoy well-known advantages over manned aircraft, including lower costs, ease of deployment and greater flexibility. Most importantly, they give commanders exceptional situational awareness and the freedom to engage targets that might otherwise be unviable or too risky. Their forte is ‘dull, dirty and dangerous’ missions. The US military has a head start in the utilisation of UAVs and the number of its unmanned platforms already exceeds manned aircraft. Other major air forces around the world are acquiring UAVs in large numbers.

China too is building a formidable UAV capability. A recent report states that China’s military plans to produce nearly 42,000 land-based and sea-based unmanned weapons and sensor platforms. Although many are probably small, low-capability systems, others like the Xianglong, Yilong, Sky Sabre and Lijian are unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) and can carry precision weapons. Lijian and other UAVs under development have stealth features so they will be more difficult to detect and counteract. Pakistan may either acquire enough UAVs for its needs from China or obtain Chinese expertise to produce its own systems.

From around the turn of the century, the IAF has operated Israeli Searcher Mk II and Heron UAVs for surveillance and reconnaissance. It is reportedly inducting the Harop UCAV and may acquire ten Heron TP UAVs that can also attack targets on the ground. However, against the IAF’s estimated needs of over 300 UAVs of various types, roles and capability, its current holdings are perhaps a fourth of the number. DRDO has produced the Rustom-I, an all-weather, medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV and is trying to give it rudimentary weapons capability. Rustom-II, a more advanced version, may be similar to the US General Atomics MQ-1 Predator UCAV. Its first flight is expected this year. DRDO also has ambitious plans to build its Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA), a stealthy flying-wing UCAV armed with laser-guided internal weapons.

The Final Frontier

Military commanders always endeavour to seize the high ground. In an air power context, that means space. Although India is a capable space power, it is no match for China which already has perhaps 25 military satellites in operation. India has just one, GSAT-7, which was launched in 2013 for use by the Indian Navy. The IAF is eagerly awaiting the long-overdue launch of its own satellite, GSAT-7A, which will enable it to interlink ground radar stations, airbases, and AWACS, thus greatly multiplying its command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and network centric warfare (NCW) capabilities. Other planned satellite-based military projects include a multi-object tracking radar (MOTR) and a dedicated defence communications network (DCN) that will provide secure and reliable inter-service communications. The seven-satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) that should be operational early next year, will provide military-grade accuracy to the navigation and targeting capabilities of all Indian military aircraft, thus multiplying their effectiveness.

Challenges Ahead

Force multipliers obviously work best in a situation of asymmetry – where one side has certain systems and the adversary either lacks them or has less advanced ones. And any force multiplier can be matched, countered or exceeded. Therefore, with China and Pakistan determined to obtain a range of force multipliers, the IAF’s quest for them acquires added urgency. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has all types of force multipliers in large numbers and is surging further ahead. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) too is assured of a steady supply of Chinese systems to meet its needs.