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IAF wants full quota of 42 squadrons for combat edge
BANGALORE: The IAF wants 42 fighter squadrons to retain the declining combat edge against Pakistan as well as maintain a strong dissuasive posture
against China. The force, however, is not too perturbed about Pakistan's F-16 fleet because it still retains a clear air superiority edge over it.
IAF, in fact, is confident of evolving into a true expeditionary aerospace power, especially with the force slated to get its first dedicated satellite by mid-2010, even though the progress may be gradual.
India, of course, is not happy with the US move to give additional 18-20 F-16s to Pakistan, apart from helping upgrade its existing fleet of these fighters, all in the name of bolstering its counter-terrorism capabilities.
At present, IAF is down to just 32-33 squadrons (each having 14 to 18 jets), which will further dip with older MiG variants being phased out before it begins to climb again with fresh inductions.
"We will reach our sanctioned strength of 39.5 squadrons only by 2017, and then some more by 2020. The optimum squadron strength would be 42,'' said Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Thursday.
The progressive induction of new Sukhoi-30MKI squadrons -- 230 jets have been contracted from Russia in deals worth around $8.5 billion -- and upgrades of the MiG-21 `Bison', MiG-27ML and Jaguar fleets with new avionics and weapon systems has ensured that IAF continues to enjoy "a decisive combat edge'' over PAF.
India has also signed a Rs 3,840-crore deal with Russia to upgrade its 69 MiG-29s by 2011 and a similar contract is on the anvil with France for the 51 Mirage-2000s of the IAF.
Then, of course, the first lot of the new 126 multi-role aircraft to be ordered under the gigantic Rs 42,000 crore project as well as the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft should be operational by 2012.
"A balanced air force is geared to fight across the entire spectrum of conflict. My force structuring and weapon profile caters for it.
Our current force deployment caters for all our likely adversaries and low-intensity conflict,'' said ACM Major.
Asked whether IAF could carry out cross-border "surgical strikes'', which was on the table in the immediate aftermath of 26/11, the IAF chief replied in the affirmative. "A surgical strike is like carrying out a surgery at the right place at the right time with the right probe. It's a precision strike, without collateral damage,'' he said, adding it can prove "very effective'' against non-state actors like terrorists.
As earlier reported by TOI, IAF remains concerned about the security of hundreds of small airfields in India, which can conceivably be used by terror outfits to fly light aircraft or microlights and used by them for their nefarious designs.
"Yes, the airfields can pose a threat. They are the responsibility of respective state governments. They should be patrolled and kept under a security scan,'' said ACM Major.
BANGALORE: The IAF wants 42 fighter squadrons to retain the declining combat edge against Pakistan as well as maintain a strong dissuasive posture
against China. The force, however, is not too perturbed about Pakistan's F-16 fleet because it still retains a clear air superiority edge over it.
IAF, in fact, is confident of evolving into a true expeditionary aerospace power, especially with the force slated to get its first dedicated satellite by mid-2010, even though the progress may be gradual.
India, of course, is not happy with the US move to give additional 18-20 F-16s to Pakistan, apart from helping upgrade its existing fleet of these fighters, all in the name of bolstering its counter-terrorism capabilities.
At present, IAF is down to just 32-33 squadrons (each having 14 to 18 jets), which will further dip with older MiG variants being phased out before it begins to climb again with fresh inductions.
"We will reach our sanctioned strength of 39.5 squadrons only by 2017, and then some more by 2020. The optimum squadron strength would be 42,'' said Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major on Thursday.
The progressive induction of new Sukhoi-30MKI squadrons -- 230 jets have been contracted from Russia in deals worth around $8.5 billion -- and upgrades of the MiG-21 `Bison', MiG-27ML and Jaguar fleets with new avionics and weapon systems has ensured that IAF continues to enjoy "a decisive combat edge'' over PAF.
India has also signed a Rs 3,840-crore deal with Russia to upgrade its 69 MiG-29s by 2011 and a similar contract is on the anvil with France for the 51 Mirage-2000s of the IAF.
Then, of course, the first lot of the new 126 multi-role aircraft to be ordered under the gigantic Rs 42,000 crore project as well as the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft should be operational by 2012.
"A balanced air force is geared to fight across the entire spectrum of conflict. My force structuring and weapon profile caters for it.
Our current force deployment caters for all our likely adversaries and low-intensity conflict,'' said ACM Major.
Asked whether IAF could carry out cross-border "surgical strikes'', which was on the table in the immediate aftermath of 26/11, the IAF chief replied in the affirmative. "A surgical strike is like carrying out a surgery at the right place at the right time with the right probe. It's a precision strike, without collateral damage,'' he said, adding it can prove "very effective'' against non-state actors like terrorists.
As earlier reported by TOI, IAF remains concerned about the security of hundreds of small airfields in India, which can conceivably be used by terror outfits to fly light aircraft or microlights and used by them for their nefarious designs.
"Yes, the airfields can pose a threat. They are the responsibility of respective state governments. They should be patrolled and kept under a security scan,'' said ACM Major.
