IAF to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI fighter

[dee]

The IAF is all set to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI fighter in the near future as it prepares to induct the tenth unit of the aircraft in Punjab along the Pakistan border.

Codenamed 'Flying Lancers', the process to set up the new Number-15 squadron will be initiated in December and will be fully operational by middle of the next year, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said.

"By the end of this year, in December, and early next year, we will be inducting a new Su-30 squadron, based in Punjab. That will be the tenth squadron of Su-30 and the process will continue for at least six months from January to June," he said.

Addressing a press conference before the 80th anniversary of the IAF, Browne said the force will deploy more Sukhoi squadrons in Eastern and Southern sectors.

"We are raising three-four more squadrons of Sukhoi. Two extra squadrons are being raised in Eastern Sector. So far we have raised two squadrons there and two more are in process," he said, replying to a query on deployment of the fighter aircraft in the northeast.

On IAF's future plans to induct Su-30MKIs in the force, he said, "One more squadron will be based in Punjab and one will be in Southern Command in Thanjavur. Therefore, we will have 13-14 total squadrons of Sukhoi to add to our strength."

On development of infrastructure in the northeast, Browne said the force is focusing there in terms of infrastructure, radars and air defence systems. It will also deploy the Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) there after its induction in the force, he said.

IAF to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI fighter - Indian Express

 

[bhisma]

R they going to induct one squadron each year ?? looking at current speed, i think we will have 14 squads by 2017..

 

[janon]

Good that they are deploying one at Tanjavur, in addition to the one at Andaman. From there they can give cover to the IN's ships, as also perform maritime strike. So the jaguars aren't the only ones tasked for that.

 

[Bhai Zakir]

IAF to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI jets

New Delhi: The IAF is all set to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI fighter in the near future as it prepares to induct the tenth unit of the aircraft in Punjab along the Pakistan border.

Codenamed 'Flying Lancers', the process to set up the new Number-15 squadron will be initiated in December and will be fully operational by middle of the next year, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said.

"By the end of this year, in December, and early next year, we will be inducting a new Su-30 squadron, based in Punjab. That will be the tenth squadron of Su-30 and the process will continue for at least six months from January to June," he said. Addressing a press conference before the 80th anniversary of the IAF, Browne said the force will deploy more Sukhoi squadrons in Eastern and Southern sectors.

"We are raising three-four more squadrons of Sukhoi. Two extra squadrons are being raised in Eastern Sector. So far we have raised two squadrons there and two more are in process," he said, replying to a query on deployment of the fighter aircraft in the northeast.

On IAF's future plans to induct Su-30MKIs in the force, he said, "One more squadron will be based in Punjab and one will be in Southern Command in Thanjavur. Therefore, we will have 13-14 total squadrons of Sukhoi to add to our strength."

On development of infrastructure in the northeast, Browne said the force is focusing there in terms of infrastructure, radars and air defence systems. It will also deploy the Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) there after its induction in the force, he said.

IAF is also planning to induct additional C-130J transport aircraft, which will be based at Panagarh in northeast.

"These aircraft (C-130J) will be based at Panagarh in Eastern Air Command, close to Kalaikunda and Kolkata. These will be utilised for entire northeastern region and cover Car Nicobar Island," Browne said, adding that the planes will be used for logistics, transport, special operations support.

On induction and deployment of M-MRCA, he said, "Once the M-MRCA Rafale gets inducted, the first base which is planned is at Ambala. The first two bases will be in the Western Air Command and the other two will be in the Eastern Air Command."

ACM Browne said that total six squadrons of the M-MRCA fighter aircraft will be inducted in the IAF and hoped that the deal to procure them will be formally signed by the end of this financial year.

On future of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), he said the Mark-II version of the plane is still four or five years away.

"Air Force has looked at 40 of the LCA Mark-I variant on the condition that LCA Mark-II will have a more powerful engine and the contract has been signed between the DRDO and the GE Systems for this. That program is still four-five years away," he added.

On replacement of 56 Avro transport aircraft, he said, it will be a great opportunity for the Indian companies to prove their mettle by participating in the process.

On induction of Mi-17 V-5 choppers, he said four units of the aircraft have already been made operational and two more will join the force in December.

"In a record time of just about seven to eight months, we have operationalised four units. One each in Western and Northern sectors and two units in the Eastern Sectors. By December this year, two more units will be operationalised, one in the east and one in the South Western Air Command sector," he said.

Browne added that a contract of 59 additional helicopters will also be signed in next few months.


IAF to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI jets

 

[Doctor Death]

IAF to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI jets
as it prepares to induct the tenth unit of the aircraft in Punjab along the Pakistan border.

Codenamed 'Flying Lancers', the process to set up the new Number-15 squadron will be initiated in December and will be fully operational by middle of the next year, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said.

"By the end of this year, in December, and early next year, we will be inducting a new Su-30 squadron, based in Punjab. That will be the tenth squadron of Su-30 and the process will continue for at least six months from January to June," he said.
IAF to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI jets

So this proves my statement that IAF has 200+ Sukhois by now.
Remember an IAF squadron has 21 Sukhois.

 

[sancho]

Good that they are deploying one at Tanjavur, in addition to the one at Andaman. From there they can give cover to the IN's ships, as also perform maritime strike. So the jaguars aren't the only ones tasked for that.

Actually that statement is surprising, earlier reports suggested 1 squad in Tanjavur and 1 in Sulur next to the coming LCAs. The Andaman Island will not get MKIs, it was planned to cover that area by MKIs from Kalaikunda in West Bengal.

So this proves my statement that IAF has 200+ Sukhois by now.
Remember an IAF squadron has 21 Sukhois.

16, they don't need additional trainers, normal IAF squads include 18 fighters

 

[golmaal]

huh.. We need to station one squadron in Kerala for maritime strike purpose...

 

[Thorough Pro]

IAF seems to be planning a mjor offensive with crazy procurement of strike assets.

 

[Sergi]

IAF seems to be planning a mjor offensive with crazy procurement of strike assets.

Form where did you get this idea ??? You read 4 squd to raise and why not 4 Suad of Mi27 retiring ???

 

[notsuperstitious]

IAF seems to be planning a mjor offensive with crazy procurement of strike assets.

China is procuring much more than we are. Means they are the ones planning a major offensive as per your logic and we are only preparing to defend.

 

[Thorough Pro]

So this proves my statement that IAF has 200+ Sukhois by now.
Remember an IAF squadron has 21 Sukhois.

Is that 21 number only for Sukhoi squadron or standard squadron strength in IAF?

 

[Archie]

The IAF is all set to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI fighter in the near future as it prepares to induct the tenth unit of the aircraft in Punjab along the Pakistan border.

Codenamed 'Flying Lancers', the process to set up the new Number-15 squadron will be initiated in December and will be fully operational by middle of the next year, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said.

"By the end of this year, in December, and early next year, we will be inducting a new Su-30 squadron, based in Punjab. That will be the tenth squadron of Su-30 and the process will continue for at least six months from January to June," he said


From the Above info its clear that we have around 180-190 Su30MKI in service, with the 10th Sqd being raised by December 2012 ,
At current rate we can have 14 Sqds by 2016, Though the number wont be enough to replace 120+ Mig21Bisons and 80+ Mig27 that will retire by 2017
So we should be looking towards inducting more sqds apart from 2 Sqds each of Rafale and LCA MK1 during that period, to deal with fall in numbers , coz it looks like we will Fall short of 2 Sqds by 2017 from current strength

Is that 21 number only for Sukhoi squadron or standard squadron strength in IAF?

Normally a fighter Sqd includes 18 Fighters and 3 Fighter Trainers

But incase of Su30MKI , their are no trainers so 18 Fighters per Sqd

 

[sudhir007]

So this proves my statement that IAF has 200+ Sukhois by now.
Remember an IAF squadron has 21 Sukhois.

16 a/c per sqn. not 21

 

[arp2041]

16 a/c per sqn. not 21

are u sure about 16?? i think min. it should be 18. any links would help.

 

[Agent_47]

are u sure about 16?? i think min. it should be 18. any links would help.

look at sanchos post, normally it is 18 but in case of MKI it is 16 as it don't need trainer.(all are 2 seater)

That means by 2017 we will have 270/16 = 15 squadrons .
and 1 squadron of Rafale (from france) + 2 squadron of LCA mk 1
and we will be retiring all Mig 27 and 21s.

From 2017 onwards HAL will start productin of Rafale and by 2018 we can assume LCA mk2 will get operational clearance.

We will not induct any more MKIs as we don't need any heavy two engine fighters.(FGFA will be entering as early as 2020)
but only if LCA mk2 became another disaster.