Analyzing Indian Air Force Capability

[Atif Ali]

Jaguar IM: IAF has The SEPECAT/HAL Jaguar maritime attack squadron (No.6) operates the IM variant. In 1996, a contract was signed with Elta to upgrade the maritime attack variant with the EL/M-2032 multimode fire control radar. Ten EL/M-2032 radars are to be supplied. The IM aircraft will also be installed with integraJaguar IB : IAF has only a single squadron of it.

.
IAF has an upgrade plan known as DARIN – II program 4 the upgrade of jaguar IM/IS/IB and an acquisition plan of more jaguars other then HAWKS(Jaguar IB) like the acquisition plan of M2K-9(unknown 2 people) n they have choosen jaguar IB as Advance intermediate trainer known as BAE HAWKS . From DARIN-II program at least 17+ trainer have been delivered so far or more , as you read it in the pic .









LCA: You people have now read it in above statement(Picture) about LCA but you have heard that IAF wants to induct 250-300+ LCA but unofficial reports says that when production start it reach upto 1000+ . It is just like the case of JF-17 THUNDER
when its final prototype was not flown the PAF said that " it will procure about 150+"
but now it said that " The improved version with full fly by wire and IRST is being pursue , more than 300+ for fighter role as well as for the Advance jet trainer ". I know you are thinking that they were looking towards Hondgu L-15 and perhaps even the KAI/Lockheed Martin T-50 A/C Wikipedia but PAF has choosen twin seater JF-17 THUNDER for its Adavance jet trainer .













HJT-36 (IJT):More over IAF HAL's indeginious program of intermediate jet trainer (IJT) HJT-36 is also expected 2 get intermediate operational certificate (IOC) BY 2008 with two prototypes flying and initial production of 12 trainer but in may be next year they would start manufacturing as well as exports .



PAK CHINA join project of K-8 doesn't seem to be successful as PAF has currently 12 new generation K-8 intermediate jet trainer aircraft, with another 27 or so on order. The K-8 will replace the PAF's aging Lockheed T-37 aircraft in the intermediate jet trainer role; another order of at least 11++ K-8s may be placed in the near future to reach up the target upto 60+ K-8s , but it doesn't seem to be successful as PAF don't manufacture any of the K-8s like it do with JF-17 THUNDER and don't have to many in number as Egypt has about more than 80+ along with some other countries check it out through Wikipedia .I have read in some global forum that PAF has a requirement of about 100+ K-8s and it can't keep up with those 20+ T-37 and 12 K-8s which doesn't fulfill its training requirements .They should order for about 61+ K-8s other then those 27+ K-8s to fulfill its training requirements .
ted electronic warfare pods.

 

[fatman17]

Atif Ali - u may be right. the JF-17 will be the back-bone of the PAF just like the F-86 sabre, the F-6 Farmer and the Mirages but 300+ JF-17s seems a bit high. 200 seems a more realistic figure (10 sqds + 1 OCU).
on the K-8 not being successful i have not heard anything -ve about the a/c. just because PAF decided against local production (for all to-gether different reasons) dosnt imply that the K-8 is not up to par. my assessment is that PAF will need upto 80 K-8s for its basic jet trainer needs.

 

[su-47]

Slightly more boring than fighters and combat aircraft but what goes on with support Aircraft and helicopters with IAF.

I know of IL76 Gajraj and that IAF controls more transport helicopters than the Indian Army. I have seen a picture of an An 32 with a large radar for AEW as a project.

Also what about future prospects

IAF is planning a MTA (Medium Transport Aircraft) project with Russia to replace the An-32s. The contract hasnt been signed yet, but its very likely to be signed in the near future.

As for heli fleet, this article might help.

Indian Air Force To Acquire Eurocopter Fennec AS 550 C3 Helicopters

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will buy a large number of Eurocopter Fennec AS 550 C3 helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters.

This was indicated by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major in an interview here with India Strategic. He did not name the make of the helicopter, but as the Indian Army has already chosen the Eurocopter over Bell 407 this year it is apparently going to be the same machine for the IAF as well as the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

It may be noted that former defence secretary Shekhar Dutt, who introduced the offsets concept in defence procurement, has also ensured that the three services and Coast Guard go in for the same system if their required specifications are the same or nearly the same.

Earlier, each service could buy a system from the same manufacturer individually under different contracts. Now, the overall requirement is negotiated and options are kept.

The air chief said the IAF was working on acquiring various types of helicopters for different roles, from combat to light to medium and heavy lift machines, and that it would take about 10 years to complete their acquisition programme.

Like the combat jets, most of the helicopters with IAF are also nearly 20 or more than 20 years old, and need upgradation or replacement.

'IAF's requirement of helicopters will be met by induction of additional helicopters for various roles in a phased manner during the next two five-year plan periods. This will offset the force-depletion due to phase-outs,' he said.

Air Chief Marshal Major indicated that the Request for Proposals (RfP or tender) for the heavy lift machines would be floated in the next fiscal year beginning April to 'who ever makes them'.

There is an initial, and immediate, requirement of about a dozen heavy lift helicopters and the machines should be inducted after thorough technical trials and examination of financial details as per the DPP 2006, possibly within three years after that.

Boeing's Chinook CH 47 is the only 20-tonne helicopter available today. The US company had displayed this massive twin-rotor machine at the Aero India 2007 at Bangalore to demonstrate its capabilities. A formal presentation was also made recently at the Air Headquarters, which does periodic exercises to update its international information base as a matter of routine.

IAF has executed major relief missions admirably during calamities like tsunami and snowstorms but it is hampered badly by the lack of heavy lift helicopters that can carry substantial load on the one hand and withstand the mountain drafts on the other.

It had acquired a small number of Mi 26 heavy lift helicopters from the Soviet Union in the 1980s, but their manufacture was stopped in the disintegration process of that country. There is a big problem now in their maintenance as no spares are available.

IAF pilots swear by the reliability of the eight-rotor Mi 26 helicopters though, the biggest ever in the world but, of course, Russia does not make them any more, times have changed and technology has improved towards digital systems for optimised performance.

The air chief said that 'as the helicopter is a versatile machine and has multi-role capability during peace and war', IAF's operational philosophy gives due emphasis on what is required and in how many numbers.

IAF also needs combat helicopters to replace and augment its fleet of Mi 25s and the air chief said that due attention was being given to this aspect also.

IAF is very keen to acquire helicopters with high-altitude (25,000 feet-plus) capability but they are not available in the global market. India's requirements are typical due to the tough terrain in the Himalayan heights and HAL has promised to design and deliver them within 10 years.

But for routine combat operations, Boeing has offered its famed Apache AH 64 and Eurocopter, its Tigre (Tiger in English) EC 665. The Apache offer was disclosed only last week in New Delhi by Boeing's visiting Vice President and General Manager for Rotorcraft Systems Chuck Allen.

Both these helicopters make extensive use of reinforced carbon composite materials, kevlar and titanium. Their service ceiling is around 16,000 feet.

As for the Eurocopter Fennec, it would replace the nearly 400 Alouettes and Lamas (designated Chetak and Cheetah) currently in operation with the Indian armed forces as well as private organisations. But eventually, as the assembly and progressive manufacture of the aircraft is done at HAL, around 600 of these machines could be made in India, depending upon the price and required rate of production.

Fennec also makes substantial use of composite materials, in body, rotor and rotor blades and tail rotor. These materials are described by the company as 'rugged, low cost, efficient and corrosion-free.'

Indications at the recent Paris Air Show were that Safran, which makes the helicopter's Turbomeca Arrius engine, will further fine-tune the system for better performance. The engine has Full-Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) for optimised performance.

Indian Air Force To Acquire Eurocopter Fennec AS 550 C3 Helicopters | India Defence

 

[JK!]

Many thanks Su 47.

It annoys me when the less glamorous side of an air force is ignored.

Do you know if the IAF has anything similar to the UKs RAF regiment?

Also is the IAF responsible for any other services like Ballistic missiles or air defence?

 

[Atif Ali]

MIG - 29 : The MiG-29 forms three operational squadrons (No.28, No.47 and No.223) in the IAF. A fourth squadron was expected to be raised, however plans for that have been scrapped. IAF MiG-29s have had their share of technical problems, since its induction in 1986 against the PAF''s F-16s to counter it effectively . In 1994, a joint aviation venture, the Indo-Russian Aviation Private Ltd., in maintenance & support was set up by HAL and MiG-MAPO and the technical problems were rectified to a satisfactory level. SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) reports that eight MiG-29S Fulcrum-Cs were ordered in 1994 and were delivered by 1996. Also from a SIPRI report is a 1995 order of two MiG-29UB Fulcrum-Bs, which were delivered by 1996, so it makes the number near to 66+. Now you people have heared about the attrition of MIG – 29s since 2004 may be they lost about 3 – 5 of them due to technical problems and some ( 1 or 2 ) due to fire accident . This is amazing because when I was watching discovery they talk about MIG-29 that it is one of the world class jets superior in performance and HAL Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has been upgrading and rebuilding it since 1998 but unable to stop attrition . They have choosen MIG-35 or MiG-29OVT as 126 MRCA which is very superior in performance it can also take off from carrier and carryout long range missions very easily and effectively can do maneuvers with its TVC engines which other jets can't do and has tandem seats so pilot job can easily be separated from weapons operator to make mission successful .

 

[ied_blast]

good work atif ....my contribution

Hawk 132 Trainer / Light Combat Aircraft

total no 6 (total 66)
24 direct-42 by HAL

basic role trainer
Range: 2,500 km
weapon: around 1000 kg
power: Adour 871 turbofan engine (Rolls-Royce)

The pilot has a Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) control system and a wide-field-of-view Head-Up Display (HUD). The pilot can select the weapons and release mode prior to initiating an attack by using the weapon control panel, which controls the stores management system.

The cockpit has a colour display, with a dedicated processor and 15-colour graphics symbology generator. 27 display formats provide flight and aircraft data.

 

[su-47]

India wants to buy 8 more Phalcons

India Wants More AWACS To Spot Missiles
April 7, 2007: India wants to buy five more Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft. This system is basically an Israeli radar mounted in a Russian Il-76 transport. India already has three on order, for $367 million each (radar, aircraft and other electronics.) More Phalcon AWACS are wanted to provide better warning of nuclear missile attack from Pakistan.


Phalcon uses a phased array radar (thousands of small radar transmitters are fitted underneath the aircraft). The phased array radar, in combination with the latest, most powerful computers, and other antennas for picking up a variety of signals, enables Phalcon to be more aware of what electronic equipment (airborne or on the ground) is operating up to 400 kilometers away. The phased array radar allows positions of aircraft on operator screens to be updated every 2-4 seconds, rather than every 20-40 seconds as is the case on the United States AWACS (which uses a rotating radar in a radome atop the aircraft.) The first Phalcon system was fitted on a Boeing 707, although somewhat limited versions could be put onto a smaller C-130. On a larger aircraft, you can have more computers, and other electronics, as well as more human operators. But the major advantage of the Phalcon is that it is a more modern design. The latest improvements enable it to spot distant ballistic missiles rising up into the air, or cruise missiles coming in low and slow.



The Phalcon AWACS can stay in the air for about 14 hours per sortie, so three would not be able to provide anything like 24/7 coverage (given the need for maintenance). Eight Phalcons could provide constant coverage, during a crises situation. The government is inclined to buy the additional AWACS, because it's common knowledge that such aircraft are very useful in any kind of conflict involving warplanes.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/hticbm/articles/20070407.aspx
http://img524.imageshack.us/my.php?image=phalconiai904js6.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/my.php?image=phalconik3.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=phalconc5cs0.jpg

 

[su-47]

Here are the specs on Phalcon

Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) developed its Phalcon system for Israeli defence forces and for export. Airborne Early Warning, Command and Control (AEWC&C) systems play a major role on the modern battlefield by providing real-time intelligence and command and control needed to achieve and maintain air superiority over the combat area and to enable surveillance of borders in peacetime. The world's most advanced AEWC&C system, the PHALCON, was developed and produced by ELTA using Active Phased Array Electronic Scanning Technology rather than a mechanically rotating antenna (rotodome) used by current AWACS systems, giving PHALCON greater operational flexibility and performance by several orders of magnitude. The Phalcon AEW&C aircraft is based on four sensors: phased-array radar, phased-array IFF, ESM/ELINT and CSM/COMINT. A unique fusion technology continuously cross-relates the data gathered by all sensors. When one of the sensors reports a detection, the system automatically initiates an active search of the complementary sensors.
The aircraft communicates, via its data link, with Air Defense HQ. Data from additional air defense sensors are fused to create a complete spatial picture.

The PHALCON systems can be installed on a variety of platforms, such as the Boeing 707, Boeing 767, Boeing 747, Airbus and C-130. This system has already been sold to Chile, where it is designated "Condor". Under the aegis of Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai and Defense Ministry Director General Ilan Biran, six agreements for cooperation between Israeli, American and European defense firms were signed on 15 October 1998. Under one of these agreements, IAI/ELTA Electronics Industries Ltd. and Raytheon Systems Company will cooperate on the development, production and marketing of AEWC&C systems on a world wide basis. The new project will be based on PHALCON. The two companies have already teamed up to compete for tenders for AEWC&C systems for Australia, South Korea and Turkey.

The AWE&C phased array radar replaces the conventional rotodome radar. It is mounted either on the aircraft fuselage or on top of the aircraft inside a stationary dome, providing full 360° coverage. This electronically steered beam radar delivers a tremendous advantage over mechanical rotating antenna, as it supports the tracking a high maneuvering targets. The radar can detect even low flying objects from distances of hundreds of kilometers, day and night, under all weather conditions. Verification beams sent at specific, individual, newly detected targets eliminate false alarms. Moreover, track initiation is achieved in 2 to 4 seconds as compared to 20 to 40 seconds with a rotodome radar
The IFF system employs solid state phased array technology to perform interrogation, decoding, target detection and tracking. A monopulse technique is used to implement azimuth measurement. The IFF data is automatically correlated with the phased array radar.

The ESM/ELINT system receives, analyzes and locates radar signals, covering 360o. It combines high sensitivity with high probability of intercept, and achieves excellent accuracy in bearing measurement. The system uses narrow-band super-heterodyne receivers and wide-band instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) techniques to provide very high accuracy and probability of intercept of airborne and surface emitters. Very high bearing accuracy for all received signals is achieved through Differential Time of Arrival (DTOA) measurements. The system also collects and analyzes ELINT data.

The PHALCON's CSM/COMINT receives in UHF, VHF and HF, rapidly searching for airborne, shipborne or ground communications signals of interest. Selected radio nets can be monitored for signal activity. A DF capability locates targets. Detected signals can be assigned to monitoring receivers instantaneously. The system makes extensive use of computers to reduce the load on operators.

Phalcon

 

[Tang0]

First of all let me say I am an engineer, so I really do love all the roter-head nuts and bolts details about fighter aircraft. Furthermore let me state that the capability of an Air Force is much more than just the technical specs of its aircraft. I think a bit to much time is spent on the details and "Is this fighter better than this one?" posts.
How many of the IAF's craft can be operational with a trained piolit behind the stick in under a week?
How many of them are in active service Vs. Reserve?
What are the physical fitness standards of the IAF?
How many AWACS can be up and on within a week, and can IAF fighters remain on station long enough to provide constant cover for them, how long can the AWACS remain on station?
Is there still an issue with replacement parts?
How many flight hours do the aircraft get before they are overhauled?
Is the C&C system resistant to jamming and can it actually handel having several hundred aircraft in the air at once?
....
And dozens of equally important questions come to mind. Think of an Air Force as a footsoldier in an anchient army. The aircraft is his wepon. Sure, a good wepon is important, sometimes it is the most important single factor, but it would not tell you much about his ability to win battles in general.

 

[KENT]

I would also like to add, what are the prospect of longer and medium range UAV and UCAV in IAF?

 

[su-47]

First of all let me say I am an engineer, so I really do love all the roter-head nuts and bolts details about fighter aircraft. Furthermore let me state that the capability of an Air Force is much more than just the technical specs of its aircraft. I think a bit to much time is spent on the details and "Is this fighter better than this one?" posts.
How many of the IAF's craft can be operational with a trained piolit behind the stick in under a week?
How many of them are in active service Vs. Reserve?
What are the physical fitness standards of the IAF?
How many AWACS can be up and on within a week, and can IAF fighters remain on station long enough to provide constant cover for them, how long can the AWACS remain on station?
Is there still an issue with replacement parts?
How many flight hours do the aircraft get before they are overhauled?
Is the C&C system resistant to jamming and can it actually handel having several hundred aircraft in the air at once?
....
And dozens of equally important questions come to mind. Think of an Air Force as a footsoldier in an anchient army. The aircraft is his wepon. Sure, a good wepon is important, sometimes it is the most important single factor, but it would not tell you much about his ability to win battles in general.

These are definitely very important questions, and do deserve a lot of consideration. and i thank you for bringing it to our attention.

But the problem is that these questions are very hard to answer. these facts are usually classified, since no airfroce wants to disclose its true operational effectiveness or combat readiness, since an enemy maybe capable of exploiting weaknesses revealed. also, all these facts are unique to each airforce, and are clear only during the time of war. As such, it is very hard for us to discuss these facts here. all we can do is speculate.

On the other hand, specification of fighter aircraft are easier to obtain from the net and the manufacturer's sites. Though the true capabilities of a plane are not revealed, we can put evaluate the performance of a plane based on combat performance, video footages, expert testimony etc. also, aircraft are not unique to every airforce. many airforces operate the same kind of aircraft, and we can compare evaluations of the aircraft by different airfroces to piece together a review or preview of an aircraft. This makes it easier for dscussion. and this is the major reason why a lot of time is spent discussing aircraft capabilities than airforce capabilities.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

On paper Indian Airforce is a very potent combat force and has diversity in Aircrafts

SU-30
MIRAGE 2K5
MIG-29
MIG-27
MIG-21

Much can be said for these fighters........ But the real issue is combat readiness of these jets,maintenance issues...... Training etc...

Idian Airforce is a threat to South ASIA

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

But is Indian Airforce cable of Air - Defence ?.

I would say its more an offensive force than defensive......... You can see that only Interceptors available to them are Bisons, Mirages in AD role and MiG 29 in AD role...

Indian Airforce lacks a true Interceptor.......

 

[Goodperson]

See the roles of Aircrafts with IAF, They fulfill all requirements

Mig21 various upgraded versions (eg Bison) - Interceptor
Sukhoi Su-30MKI - Multi Role Air Dominance
Dassault Mirage 2000H- Multi Role Air Superiority
MiG-29 - Multi Role Air Superiority
Jaguar - Ground Attack/Maritime strike
MiG-27 - Ground Attack

 

[Energon]

At least the material posted on the web suggests that the IAF has copious numbers of fit and skilled pilots and an impressive array of strike fighters in the form of Su30 MKIs and Mirage2000s. What they seem to lack are sheer numbers of air worthy second line fillers, a role for many years being fulfilled by vintage Mig21s.

Up until the last decade and a half, the IAF's doctrine was based around numerical superiority to accomodate technological inferiority. This seems to have drastically changed and now the IAF is spending a lot of time and money to radically transform themselves into a network centric air force with sophisticated technology similar to western nations and Israel. I don't know what their skill level in this form of air combat is; but they sure seem to be involved in a lot of training exercises with other air forces who have already adopted the new doctrine.

The problem however is that with the new advanced technology based doctrine, it will be difficult to amass a large number of air crafts given the astronomical costs.