IAF’s 3-pronged plan for neighbourhood challenges

[sudhir007]

IAF’s 3-pronged plan for neighbourhood challenges | idrw.org

Over the next decade, the Indian Air Force has big plans to acquire capabilities across the entire spectrum of war fighting, top sources have told rediff.com According to a long-term perspective plan, the air force wants to be ready for every contingency that may arise in the neighbourhood.

The plan envisages the IAF’s transformation into a potent and networked aerospace power through three aspects.

First, induction and integration of new technology weapon platforms and upgradation of the existing inventory. Second, induction and training of manpower to handle this new inventory while retaining core competency in maintaining the existing ones. And, finally, the revision of concepts and doctrines.

The upgradation of the existing weapon platforms, where viable, will be undertaken to keep abreast with the advancement in technologies. All these platforms are being integrated through Air Force Network, to attain net-centric capabilities in order to conduct effect based operations.

After a careful analysis, the Air Force has drawn up a plan to induct brand new 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, upgrades of several existing fighter and transport aircraft, purchase of new air defence systems, radars and air-borne early warning systems.

Top sources told rediff.com that over the next nine to 10 years, the Air Force shopping list includes:



* 126 new medium combat jets.
* Over 200 5th generation fighters co-developed with Russia
* At least two additional AWACS.
* 10-15 C-17 heavy lift transport aircraft.
* 140 medium lift helicopters.
* 22 attack helicopters.

In the aspect of air defence too, India has big acquisition plans. Apart from ordering eight Akaash missiles indigenously developed by the Defence Research And Development Organisation, the Air Force is planning to induct 18 firing units of MRSAM (medium range surface to air missiles) and 49 SR-SAM (short range surface to air missiles), jointly developed with Israel.

Not surprisingly, in the last three financial years the IAF has been allocated more money for capital acquisition than the other two services and is likely to get more funds than the Army and the Navy in the next few years.

Acquiring the hardware is, of course, one aspect. The Air Force is now looking to recruit highly qualified technical manpower both in the officer cadre as well as in other ranks so that all the latest state-of-the-art equipment can be utilised optimally.

 

[Jon Snow]

how many hours a year do iaf pilots train??? Heard it was 300- but could never get anyone to confirm it

 

[Omega007]

Good that IAF,IA and IN all three services are beefing up their air defence network substancially because in this area we are behind.It's good that IAF is thinking of inducting 18 squadrons of 80 km range Barak 2 but I think they also should raise atleast 40 squads of AAD indipendent from the bmd because it is actually a very potent long range sam with a range of 200 km,altitude of 34 km and top speed of mach 5.It is comparable to S 300PMU2.
REGARDS....

 

[Abingdonboy]

Additionally by this time the IA/IN should have a potent marine expeditionary force able to tale anywhere in the world- project powerful image and conduct war/peacetime operations.

No doubt about it- by 2020 India will be a force to be reckoned with- globally!

 

[aanshu001]

Sounds good, the only thing is pace. Even snail can beet them at present speed of taking decisions and implementing them.

 

[Omega007]

Sounds good, the only thing is pace. Even snail can beet them at present speed of taking decisions and implementing them.

Wrong mate.Actually the navy is pretty fast in decision making,faster than IAF and IA.But the shipyards are really very slow mostly due to lack of modular ship building technology which is much faster method(An exception is Kochi).The navy has stated that they need atleast 6-7 warships per year but local shipyards can not deliver more than 3-4 which seriously hamper IN's ambitious modernisation programme.Hopefully the situation will change in very near future becuse the upgrdation of older shipyeards with modular construction technology and entry of private majors like L&T,ABG etc in the area of defence ship building.
REGARDS....

 

[Urbanized Greyhound]

Areas that the IAF need to work on are longer strategic reach and extended maritime roles in the Indian Ocean region. For this they need a larger number of bases in countries in the IOR . They must have the ability to station MKI's and Refuelers/Tankers in IOR countries etc . A few naval and air force bases of our own in countries like Maldives , Sri Lanka etc should be pursued. Again interoperatibility between the IN with its Carriers , and ASW etc and IAF with its maritime strike Aircraft should be perfected in joint exercises.Such a kind of synergy will further cement our role as the pre-dominant power in Indian Ocean .

The other front which we have to ramp up in terms of capability is the Eastern Border. Activate a number of airfields , bases --ramp up infrastructure in the remote areas. Here we need interoperatibility with the Indian Army. With its medium range missiles , SAM batteries and strike forces. Increase in our offensive capabilities should be looked into to take the fight to adversarial territory . With increase in the number of mountain strike corps , tremendous airlift capability, and creating a significant silos of increased range Shourya missiles , we should also carry out joint exercises between IAF and IA to create a formidable battle unit in which we synergise strikes by the IAF , in tandem with strikes by the IA.

And lastly , in general we require long Range strategic weapons , as a last resort measure. IAF has little to do with it , but our strategic long range retaliation capability should be significant ( in the form of SLBMs Sagarika etc and ICBM --Agni 5 ).

The IAF 's role should be two fold, focused at handling a short or prolonged , border war/conflict and coping with a naval stand-off in the Indian Ocean. By 2020 , we will no longer be limited to the south Asian region and with our increasing areas of interests , no one can rule out conflict with other powers. Good to initiate the process of preparation from now.