The Indian Air Force (IAF) has set its sights on becoming a true strategic force. Consequently, apart from increasing the strength and capability of its combat squadrons, it needs various assets to further enhance its operational potential, power and reach. These are covered by the umbrella term “force multipliers”. According to Wikipedia, “Force multiplication refers to an attribute or a combination of attributes which make a given force more effective than that same force would be without it.” And the avenues the IAF has embarked on to multiply its effectiveness 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.

Multiplying Reach

FRA systems are a good example. If advanced jets like the IAF’s Su-30MKI can be refuelled whilst in flight, they can take-off with greater payload, remain airborne longer, and fly farther. Since 2003, the IAF has enjoyed this major multiplier of its combat effectiveness, especially considering out-of-area contingencies and potential operations against China. The 78 Valorous MARS (MARS stands for Mid-Air Refuelling Squadron) based at Agra has six IL-78MKI and each can refuel six to eight combat aircraft in a mission. But since only four tanker aircraft may be operational at any given time (perhaps less considering the dismal serviceability of most Russia-sourced IAF assets) they are grossly inadequate to meet the needs of the IAF’s front line squadrons.

However, all efforts to induct more FRA have failed to fructify. In August, the government decided to scrap for the second time, a $2-billion tender to induct six Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft. The highly capable MRTT has a fuel capacity of 1,11,000 kg, plus space for the carriage of 45,000 kg of cargo and can refuel a variety of aircraft. It was selected following a lengthy process, including demonstrated aerial refuelling of several types of IAF fighters. There is some hope that the direct foreign military sales procurement route may be employed to obtain these urgently needed FRA.

Multiplying Power and Punch

The number of combat squadrons in the IAF is dwindling and although remedial steps are underway, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. The IAF can mitigate the shortfall to some extent by enhancing its offensive capability against high-value targets.

Most IAF combat jets have advanced ECM systems to help them penetrate the formidable Chinese and Pakistani air defence environment. Further, the IAF would like to induct stealthy platforms like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Another way to avoid running the gauntlet of lethal terminal defences is to use long-range stand-off missiles. Not only do such PGMs enhance the punch and survivability of the strike force, but also reduce the enemy’s defensive options.

The IAF may soon have a deadly weapon that its adversaries neither possess nor can adequately counter. The Indo-Russian BrahMos is a highly-destructive, stealthy Mach 2.8 cruise missile that is hard to defend against. It is supersonic even while skimming the surface of the earth and can slice a small warship in half. Although its range is restricted to 300 km in compliance with Missile Technology Control Regime restrictions, there is no technical reason why it cannot be enhanced. The 2,550-kg airlaunched BrahMos-A variant can be used against land targets like command and control centres, missile batteries and radar stations. The Su-30MKI is currently under testing to carry the missile and about 40 Sukhoi aircraft will be modified for the purpose. The under-development BrahMos-NG is smaller and faster and may be carried by smaller fighters like the Mirage 2000 and the Tejas. A scramjet-powered hypersonic Mach 7 BrahMos II missile is also under development.

Multiplying Early Warning

So long as the IAF had only ground-based radars, it was difficult to obtain adequate early warning against intruding aircraft, cruise missiles and UAVs. All that changed in 2004 when the Indian Government signed a $1.1-billion deal with Russia and Israel for three Phalcon AWACS. The A-50EI system consists of the Israeli EL/M-2075 Phalcon radar mounted on an upgraded Russian Ilyushin Il-76TD jet. It has 360-degree coverage and over 400-km range.

However, these three AWACS are inadequate, considering the country’s vast size and long land or sea frontiers that are vulnerable to hostile activity. China has 20 AWACS of varying capability and is increasing their number. Even Pakistan has four Chinese ZDK-03 (KJ-200) AWACS and four Swedish Saab-2000 AEW&C aircraft. In March 2016, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the $1.1-billion purchase of two more Phalcon AWACS and four radar-equipped aerostats for low-level surveillance. Early warning will be further enhanced with the September 2015 approval of the IAF’s Rs. 8,000-crore Integrated Air Command, Control and Communications System (IACCCS). It will integrate data and images from all surveillance platforms and resources across the country.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been struggling for over two decades to develop indigenous airborne surveillance systems, without much success. DRDO is currently working on three airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems using the Embraer EMB-145i regional twinjet and they are now undergoing final trials. This platform will provide 240-degree coverage and the IAF could eventually acquire a dozen or more such systems.

Of far greater significance is the Rs. 5,113-crore indigenous large AWACS project in which two Airbus A330 jets will be equipped with 360-degree coverage AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars. Though the project was cleared in March 2015, it still remains on the drawing board and is unlikely to reach fruition for almost a decade.

Multiplying Unmanned Capability

Militaries around the world and not a few non-state actors and terrorist outfits like ISIS, Hezbollah and Hamas are enthusiastically inducting UAVs. The advantages are well-known: lower cost, greater flexibility, ease of deployment, as well as enhanced situational awareness, improved targeting and superior command and control capability. It is only a question of time before terror groups begin deploying UAVs by the hundred and even start arming them.

The three defence services reportedly plan to purchase 5,000 UAVs over the next ten years. At present they have small numbers of Israeli Searcher and Heron surveillance UAVs. The IAF also has a few Harpy anti-radar armed UAVs that self-destruct on impact. The most heartening prospect for the IAF is the possibility of acquiring US Predator unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) following India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime in June 2016 and the signing of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with Washington in August. UCAVs would help the IAF engage high-value targets with minimum collateral damage and without risking pilots’ lives.

The IAF’s long-term hopes are pinned on the indigenous Rustom-2 UAV which could later acquire UCAV capability. After missing many deadlines, Rustom-2’s first flight is due any day at the Chitradurga test range in Karnataka. However, making it operational may take months if not years. It is a large UAV with a range of 250 km and DRDO scientists are still struggling to reduce its weight so that it may carry all the planned sensors. Of particular worry for India is China’s very large and ambitious UAV/UCAV programme that encompasses dozens of systems of all sizes, roles and capabilities. And, as has been seen with so many other weapon systems, Pakistan will probably succeed in wangling most or all of its unmanned system needs from China.

Multiplying Multipliers

Force multiplication basically means getting more from less. Since the IAF’s combat strength cannot be increased in a hurry, it is pulling out all the stops to boost its force multipliers. Ultimately, its operational effectiveness will depend on them. It is also pursuing tri-Service cooperation and networking to further exploit the capabilities of force multipliers like UAVs and satellites. The next military satellite GSAT-7A is earmarked for the IAF. When launched by 2017, it will give India a significant edge over Pakistan in the military exploitation of space. China is already streets ahead with perhaps 25 military satellites in orbit.

However, a force multiplier is most effective when one side has it and its adversaries don’t. That is why the IAF needs to start planning for emerging force multipliers such as Directed-Energy Weapons (DEW) including high power lasers (HPL) and high power microwaves (HPM). Furthermore, the effectiveness of force multipliers may be considerably reduced if the adversary adopts countermeasures. Systems to detect stealth aircraft and small UAVs are already becoming available. Therefore, the IAF needs to constantly strive to remain ahead or at least abreast of the competition.