The IAF would surely work out its actual and recurring requirements of different types of weapons, but it is certain that a market worth billions of dollars awaits the weapon manufacturers across the globe

As the IAF gradually sheds its legacy fighters (MiG-21 being the archetypical example) the replacements will comprise fourth plus generation fighters. With induction of 270 Su-30 MKI, 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) and about 80 Tejas by 2020, it will be a new look Air Force with a vastly enhanced potential. All new aircraft would be multirole capable and therefore fighter assets which qualified exclusively for air defence or which had to be put aside for EW support and would be a matter of yore. In terms of strike potential, the air arm will really come into its own.

However, the platforms provide just the potential for effectiveness. It is the quality and quantity of weapons that really makes the difference. Increasingly lethal air defence environment makes it necessary to reduce exposure of expensive platforms to the very least while maximising mission effectiveness. Therefore, precision has to be a key feature of all air-to-surface ordnance. Precision also makes it possible to miniaturise weapons, which in turn offers an opportunity to put aloft many more shots in every mission, and place just the right amount of ordnance at the right place to achieve a measured result.

The surface targets list being long, characteristics and environment of each being different from the other, a variety of precision weapons would be necessary to undertake the entire spectrum of missions. Engagement of targets lying behind light terminal defences could be undertaken with smart bombs—their guidance, explosive power and fusing being determined by target characteristics. Targets in depth or heavily defended by strong multi-layered defences, would call for attacks with missiles of appropriate range and warheads. Dictated by some air defence environments, supersonic, stealth cruise missiles of the BrahMos variety may have to be weapons of choice.

Considering the likely operational environment and target density at different depths in our area of interest, IAF could consider 50 per cent of its explosive ordnance (approximately 25,000 pieces) to comprise smart bombs with varying types of guidance (viz. laser, LLTV, thermal, INS/GPS) explosive power and penetration capability, etc. Specialised capability to engage very high value and strategic targets i.e. shipping, heavily defended airfields, radar and missile sites, etc could reside in the air-to-surface missiles of different ranges and capacities.

Costs of even similar weapons could vary substantially depending on the version, source, quantities in question and a variety of other factors. Therefore, estimating expenditure required to equip an Air Force for large-scale employment of smart munitions can be hazardous. However, some ball park figures may be used to arrive at rough estimates.