The overall airlift potential of the Indian Air Force stands substantially eroded and is in urgent need of infusion of capability. India’s capability in playing a meaningful role as a regional power also depends on its strategic and tactical airlift capability

The induction of the first of the six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin of USA into the Indian Air Force (IAF) to make its debut at Aero India 2011 in February flagged a turning point in the history of its transport fleet. Other than the induction of three Boeing Business Jets in 2009 for VVIP use and the recent order for eight P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Indian Navy, the last time that India received aircraft of US origin in large numbers was by way of the C-119 Fairchild Packet after the Sino-Indian conflict in the early 1960s. This fleet remained in service with the IAF for over two and a half decades after which it was consigned to the museum or the scrap yard. However, quite like the rest of the armed forces, since the mid-1960s the IAF leaned heavily on the Soviet Union for military aircraft. Initially, the IAF inducted the 20-tonne payload capacity AN12 and subsequently the 6-tonne class AN-32 medium tactical transport aircraft followed by the 43-tonne payload capacity IL76 Strategic Airlifter. The fleet of AN-12 was phased out two decades ago but the remaining transport aircraft of Soviet origin continue to be in service with the IAF till today. However, what remains of it are only its remnants that for a variety of reasons are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. The overall airlift potential of the IAF today stands substantially eroded and is in urgent need of infusion of capability.

Westward Tilt

The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft with a maximum payload capacity of approximately 20 tonnes or 92 fully equipped troops. It has a range of over 5,000 km and is capable of short field operations. Developed over half a century ago, the C-130 Hercules has evolved continuously and is perhaps the most widely used transport aircraft by the armed and paramilitary forces of the world. Apart from all routine tasks, the version acquired by the IAF is customised and is equipped to give it the capability for special operations such as executing highspeed precision air drops on unmarked dropping zones in the darkness of night, landing by night on unlit runways and inserting Special Forces in counter-insurgency scenarios or for clandestine work.

The C-130J has excellent night vision capability and can operate effectively in all types of weather and requires minimal ground support. Depending on the experience with the first batch of six aircraft, the IAF may acquire another six to build up to full squadron strength.

Beyond the Super Hercules, as a replacement for the ageing fleet of IL 76 heavy-lift aircraft, the IAF has identified the four-engine Boeing C-17 Globemaster III that is currently touted as the most advanced strategic military transport aircraft in service in the world. Developed in the 1980s, it can carry a payload of over 75 tonnes or 134 fully equipped troops and despite its enormous size, it has an amazing capability to operate from runways as short as 3,500 ft. Proposed to be acquired under the Foreign Military Sales programme of the US Government, the deal for the first batch of 10 aircraft currently hinges on agreement over the quoted price, which, in the opinion of the Indian Government, is somewhat high. If acquired, the C-17 would significantly enhance the strategic airlift capability of the IAF.

Medium Tactical Transport Aircraft

But an equally pressing need is to find a suitable replacement for the 100-odd AN-32 aircraft that were inducted two and a half decades ago. A midlife upgrade programme currently underway would give the AN-32 fleet a lease of life at best for 10 to 12 years. In the meantime, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has entered into a joint venture with United Aircraft Corporation of Russia to co-develop a multi-role transport aircraft (MTA). With a payload capacity between 15 and 20 tonnes or 80 fully equipped troops, the aircraft will have a range of 2,500 km which presumably would be extendable through in-flight refuelling capability. This aircraft, which is expected to be ready for induction by the end of the current decade, is expected to compensate for the erosion in airlift capability of the IAF. However, the MTA being an entirely new machine, the stated timeframe for its induction appears unduly optimistic. Given the complexities of programmes related to the development of new generation aircraft, the timeframe for its induction cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty. It may, therefore, be prudent to explore alternatives not only to cater for unforeseen glitches or delays that are not unknown in new aircraft development programmes but also to diversify options, which in the context of labile international equations, is perhaps equally critical.

Currently, there are three aircraft either recently developed or are under development that warrant closer examination. These are the C-27J Spartan from Alenia Aeronautica of Italy, the Airbus A400M from Airbus Military and the KC-390 from Embraer of Brazil.

Alenia C-27J Spartan

The Alenia C-27J Spartan, an advanced derivative of Alenia Aeronautica’s G222, is a twin-engine medium-size turboprop military transport aircraft, which was inducted into the Italian Air Force in October 2006. It shares a high degree of commonality with the C-130J Super Hercules in respect of power plant and systems and is similar to the C-130 in appearance. It is in service with the armed forces of the US, Italy, Greece, Lithuania and Afghanistan. The aircraft has been ordered by Bulgaria, Morocco and Romania. With a payload capability of around 11.5 tonnes or 60 fully equipped troops, the aircraft has a range of approximately 1,800 km with maximum payload and over 4,000 km when carrying six tonnes. The aircraft can operate from unprepared surfaces and has impressive short-field capability. Its experience in Afghanistan validates the versatility of the aircraft in high mountainous terrain.