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Indian Air Force
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The Indian Air Force(IAF; Devanagari: ?????? ???? ????, Bhartiya Vayu Sena) is the air arm of the armed forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace.
It was established in 1932 as the air force of the Indian Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during the World War II. After India achieved its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Union of India and after India became a republic in 1950, the prefix was dropped.
With a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel, 1,130 combat and 1,700 non-combat aircraft in active service, the Indian Air Force is the world's fourth largest.
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Encyclopedia
The Indian Air Force(IAF; Devanagari: ?????? ???? ????, Bhartiya Vayu Sena) is the air arm of the armed forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace.
It was established in 1932 as the air force of the Indian Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during the World War II. After India achieved its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Union of India and after India became a republic in 1950, the prefix was dropped.
With a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel, 1,130 combat and 1,700 non-combat aircraft in active service, the Indian Air Force is the world's fourth largest. In recent years, the IAF has undertaken an ambitious expansion and modernization program and is increasingly used for India's power projection beyond South Asia. Among the various expansion plans is the MRCA program under which the IAF plans to induct 126 fighter jets at a cost of US$12 billion.
History
Indian Air Force's No.1 Squadron came into being on 1 April 1933. The squadron consisted of five Indian pilots, one Royal Air Force Commanding officer and four Westland Wapiti biplanes.
World War II (1939–1945)
During World War II, the IAF played an instrumental role in thwarting the advance of the Japanese army in Burma, where its first air strike was on the Japanese military base in Arakan. It also carried out strike missions against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.
Partition of India (1947)
With the partition of the Indian sub-continent into two separate nations, the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan, the military forces were also partitioned. This gave a reduced Royal Indian Air Force and a new Royal Pakistan Air Force in 1947.
First Kashmir War (1947)
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, the IAF conducted a paratrooping operation from Safdarjang, then known as Willingdon Airfield, to Srinagar airfield at 09:30 hours IST on 27 October. This was the most instrumental action of the war as the paratroopers played a crucial role in blocking the advance of Pakistan militants and Pakistani regular soldiers in the disguise of tribal people.
Congo Operation (1961)
Belgium's 75-year colonial rule of the Congo ended abruptly on 30 June 1960. Unable to control the deteriorating situation in its former African colony, Belgium asked the United Nations for assistance. India was one of the first UN-members to respond to the initial appeal for help and sent IAF Canberra bomber aircraft as a part of the UN-led mission in Congo.
Sino-Indian War (1962)
In 1962, border disputes escalated into full-scale war between India and China. Indian military and civilian leadership failed to organise and co-ordinate the air assaults efficiently and eventually the Indian Air Force was never used during the conflict apart from occasional supply missions.
Second Kashmir War (1965)
Three years after the Sino-Indian conflict, India went to war with Pakistan again over Kashmir. Learning from the experiences of the Sino-Indian war, India decided to use its air force extensively during the war. This was the first time the IAF actively engaged an enemy air force. However, instead of providing close air support to the Indian Army, the IAF carried out independent raid missions against Pakistani Air Force (PAF) bases. These bases were situated deep inside the Pakistani territory, making IAF fighters vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire.conflict.
On September 1, 1965, the IAF fighters intervened in an on-going battle between Indian and Pakistani forces in Chhamb. The intervention proved crucial because even though some Indian tanks were destroyed in friendly fire.reinforce. Two days later, IAF Folland Gnat fighters shot down a PAF F-86 Sabre over Chhamb area. Despite being qualitatively inferior, the Gnats were extremely effective against the F-86, earning them the nickname Sabre Slayers. According to one Western source, the Gnats accounted for at least 6 Sabre kills.
During the course of the conflict, the PAF enjoyed qualitative superiority over the IAF because most of the jets in IAF's fleet were of World War II-vintage. Despite this, the IAF was able to prevent the PAF from gaining air superiority over conflict zones. By the time the conflict had ended, Pakistan claimed to have shot down 113 IAF aircraft while the Indians claimed that 73 PAF aircraft were downed. More than 60% of IAF's air combat losses took place during the disastrous battles over Kalaikunda and Pathankot. However, the IAF lost most of its aircraft on ground and the attrition rate (losses per 100 sorties) of the IAF stood at 1.49 while PAF's attrition rate was 2.16, indicating that the IAF fared better in air-to-air combat.
Growth and reorganization (1965–1972)
After the 1965 war, the IAF underwent a series of changes. In 1966, the Para Commandos regiment was created. With an intention of increasing its logistics supply and rescue operations ability, the IAF inducted 72 Avro 748s which were built by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) under license from Avro. The aircraft were modified to play a variety of roles and some were later (starting 1987) fitted with a large radome to act as an Airborne Early Warning (AEW&C) platform. India started to lay more stress on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft. A total of 147 HAL HF-24 Marut, designed by the famed German aerospace engineer Kurt Tank, were inducted into the air force. HAL also started working on a new improved version of the Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet.
During the late 1960s, the IAF also started inducting MiG-21s and Sukhoi Su-7s fighters which had a top speed of Mach 2. The induction of these advanced fighter jets was the beginning of close collaboration between India and the Soviet Union. With Soviet help, coupled with increasing role of Hindustan Aeronautics, the Indian Air Force was now rated as one of the most sophisticated air forces in Asia.
Bangladesh Liberation War (1971)
The professional standards, capability and flexibility of the newly re-organized Indian Air Force were soon put to test in December 1971 when India and Pakistan went to war over erstwhile East Pakistan. On 22 November, 10 days before the start of a full-scale war, four Pakistani Air Force (PAF) F-86 Sabre jets attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions near the international border. In what became the first ever dogfight over Bengal's skies, three of the 4 PAF Sabres were shot down by IAF's Folland Gnats. December 3rd saw the formal declaration of war between India and Pakistan following massive preemptive strikes by the PAF against Indian Air Force installations in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur. But the plan failed as the Indians had anticipated such a move and no major losses were suffered.
The Indian Air Force was quick to respond to Pakistani air-strikes, following which the PAF carried out mostly defensive sorties. Within the first two weeks, the IAF had carried out more than 4,000 sorties over East Pakistan and also provided close air support to the advancing Indian Army. IAF also assisted the Indian Navy in its operations against the Pakistani Navy and Maritime Security Agency in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. On the western front, the IAF destroyed 29 Pakistani tanks, 40 APCs and a railway train during the famed battle of Longewala. The IAF pursued strategic bombing of West Pakistan by destroying oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and a gas plant in Sindh. Similar strategy was also deployed in East Pakistan and as the IAF achieved complete air superiority on the eastern front, the ordnance factories, runways, and other vital areas of East Pakistan were severely damaged.
By the time Pakistani forces surrendered, the IAF claimed that 94 PAF aircraft, including 54 F-86 Sabres, were destroyed. A total of 45 IAF aircraft were destroyed during the conflict, of which 60-80% were lost due to ground fire. The IAF had flown over 7,000 combat sorties on both East and West fronts and its overall sortie rate numbered over 15,000. Comparatively, the PAF was flying fewer sorties by the day fearing loss of planes. Towards the end of the war, IAF's transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to surrender; East Pakistani sources note that as the leaflets floated down, the morale of the Pakistani troops sunk. The IAF had registered about 80% serviceability which helped it in attaining an edge over the PAF in air-to-air combat. The Indian Army too acknowledged the immense role which the IAF played towards a speedy, decisive and favorable end to the conflict.
Siachen conflict (1984-)
extensively to airlift Indian troops to Siachen.]]
Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the preemptive strike launched by the Indian Armed Forces to capture most of the Siachen Glacier, in the disputed Kashmir region. IAF's special helicopters, capable of flying in extremely thin air, airlifted hundreds of Indian troops to Siachen. Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was unique because of Siachen's inhospitable terrain and climate. The military action was quite successful as Indian forces managed to capture most of the heights in region and the entire 72 km glacier. The operation was hailed in India as strategically timely and significant.
Operation Cactus (1988)
In November 1988, the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), comprising of about 200 secessionists, invaded Maldives. At the request of the President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the Indian Armed Forces, with assistance from R&AW, launched a military campaign to restore government rule in Maldives. On the night of November 3rd 1988, the IAF airlifted a parachute battalion group from Agra and flew them non-stop over 2,000 kilometres (1,240 mi) to Maldives. The Indian paratroopers landed at Hulule and secured the airfield and restored government rule at Malé within hours. The brief, bloodless operation, labeled Operation Cactus, also involved the Indian Navy.
Kargil conflict (1999)
of the IAF delivers supplies to the Indian forces in Leh. The IAF runs an extensive air logistics operation to support Indian troops stationed in Kashmir.]]
On May 20, 1999 the Indian Air Force decided to intervene in the on-going Kargil conflict to provide close air support to the Indian Army. The Army was involved in a military operation to expel thousands of infiltrators, consisting of Pakistani Army and Pakistan-backed Islamist militants, who had illegally occupied Indian territory. Due to Kashmir's high altitude and rigid terrain, the IAF initially expressed its reservations to deploy the slow-moving Mil Mi-8/17 helicopters which had a service ceiling of 10,000 feet. These concerns materialized when the Pakistani forces shot down an IAF helicopter and two fighter jets, MiG-21 and -27, which had allegedly strayed into Pakistan's airspace.
After the initial setbacks, the IAF started deploying the Mirage 2000 fighter bombers which not only had better defense equipment compared to the MiGs, but also gave IAF the ability to carry out aerial raids at night. The Mirages successfully targeted Pakistani camps and logistic bases in Kargil and within days, the supply lines of the infiltrators were severely disrupted. The IAF also deployed its radars and the MiG-29 fighter jets in vast numbers to keep check on Pakistani military movements across the border. The MiG-29s were also used extensively to provide fighter escort to the Mirage 2000. The IAF MiG-29s, equipped with BVR ability, locked on to PAF F-16s numerous times during the conflict but didn't pursue them since India and Pakistan were not officially at war. At the height of the conflict, the IAF was carrying out over 40 sorties daily over the Kargil region alone. The IAF's operations in Kargil not only boosted the morale of the Indian Army, but also paved the way for the early recapture of Muntho Dhalo and Tiger Hill. By July 26, the Indian forces had successfully expelled all Pakistani and Islamist infiltrators from Kargil.
Atlantique incident (1999)
On 10 August 1999, a Pakistan Navy French-built naval Breguet Atlantic was flying over India's Rann of Kutch area and was shot down by an infrared homing R-60 air-to-air missile fired by an IAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 which was piloted by Squadron Leader P.K. Bundela. All 16 Pakistani Navy personnel aboard the Atlantique were killed in the incident.
IAF air staff
fighters following a Red Flag mission in Nevada.]]
With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force has a strength of 170,000 personnel and 1430 combat aircraft (2006 figure).
The Officers of the IAF are commissioned in one of the following branches:
- Flying
- Engineering
- Administration
- Logistics
- Accounts
- Education
- Meteorological
- Medical & Dental Branch
Rank structure
The highest rank attainable in the IAF is Marshal of the Indian Air Force conferred by the President of India only after exceptional service (Equivalent to Field Marshall in the Indian Army). MIAF Arjan Singh is the only officer to have achieved this rank. The head of the Indian Air Force is the Chief of the Air Staff. The Air Chief Marshal is Fali Homi Major.
Officer
ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.]]
The various ranks of personnel within the Indian Air Force are listed below in descending order:
Airmen
During its formation, the rank structure of airmen was based on the British model. Over the years the rank structure has seen significant changes.
Non Combatants Enrolled NCs(E)
Non Combatant Enrolled were established in British India as personal assistants to the officer class, and are equivalent to the orderly or sahayak of the Indian Army.
- NCs(H) ("H" stands for Head Tindal on further promotion)
- NCs(T) ("T" stands for Tindal supervisory post of all NC(E) as a promotion)
- NCs(E)
Civilian
Almost all the commands have some percentage of civilian strength which are Central Govt. Employees. These are regular ranks which are prevalent in ministries. They are usually not posted outside their stations and are helpful in administration and usual office and technical work. More than 250 different designations exists.
Most common designations of civil administration of Civilians are below:-
CGO (Civilian Gazetted Officer)
Structure of the IAF
The head of the Indian Air Force, Chief of the Air Staff, is assisted by six officers: the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Officer in Charge of Administration, the Air Officer in Charge of Personnel, the Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance, and the Inspector General of Flight Safety.
Commands
The Indian Air Force operates seven Commands. Each Command is headed by a Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Air Marshal.
Aerospace Command
The IAF is setting up an aerospace command. This command will have space technology including satellites available to them. This command is said to be utilised by all the three services of the Indian armed forces and also for civilian purposes by ISRO.
A specialized surveillance satellite for the IAF will be operational by the end of 2010. The satellite will enable the IAF to carry out precise strikes against targets like terrorist training camps.
Wings
Wing is a static formation below the level of the Commands and is an intermediate between Command and Squadron. A Wing generally consists of various IAF Squadrons and Helicopter Units and along with the Forward Base Support Units (FBSU), it is responsible for maintaining the installation. FBSUs do not have or host any Squadrons or Helicopter units but act as transit airbases for routine operations. In times of war, they can become full fledged air bases playing host to various Squadrons. In all, about 47 Wings and 19 FBSUs make up the IAF.
Squadrons
Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations. In other words, a Flying Squadron is a sub-unit of an air force station which carries out the primary task of the IAF. All fighter squadrons are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Wing Commander. Some Transport squadrons and Helicopter Units are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Group Captain.
IAF Bases
The IAF operates over 60 air bases, with more being built or planned. They are grouped under one of the five Regional Air Commands. In addition, the IAF also operates the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan.
The largest Air Command. It operates 16 Air bases from Punjab to Uttar Pradesh
Eastern Air Command
It operates 15 Air bases in Eastern and North-eastern India.
Central Air Command
Operates 7 Air Bases in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding states of central India.
Southern Air Command
A strategically important Air command, in line with India's latest doctrine of protecting the vital shipping routes. It operates 9 Air bases in Southern India and 2 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
South Western Air Command
The front line of defence against Pakistan, this important Command operates 12 Forward Air Bases in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
IAF Aircraft
The Indian Air Force has a strength of 1,130 combat aircraft.
Most of the IAF's fighter jets are of French, Soviet/Russian and British origin, with designs by the latter two countries being constructed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence.
Air superiority and multi-role combat aircraft
These are aircraft for strike, offensive support, air defence and superiority purposes. The IAF possesses several multi-role fighter jets that perform these functions. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI (MKI: 'Multifunctional Commercial - Indian') is the IAF's prime air superiority fighter. The Su-30K variant was first acquired in 1996. In 1996, the IAF signed a US$1.6 billion contract with Russia for the supply of 50 Su-30MKIs and the technology transfer and license to manufacture 140 Su-30MKIs by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The twin seater, multi-role fighter has a maximum speed of 2500 km/h (Mach 2.35) and has a service ceiling of 20,000 meters. The aircraft, with one mid-air refueling, can travel as far as 8000 km, making it an effective platform to deliver nuclear weapons. In 2007, US$700 million were spent to upgrade IAF's remaining 10 Su-30Ks & 8 SU -30MKs to MKI Std variant and another contract for the supply of 40 additional MKIs was signed with Russia.
Single-seater Mirage 2000s and MiG-29s serve in both strike and defence squadrons. The MiG-29 (NATO: Fulcrum) has a top speed of 2,445 km/h (Mach 2.3) and is armed with a 30 mm cannon along with R-60 & R-27 R missiles. The IAF was the second air force in the world to deploy the MiG-29. Since their induction, the IAF's MiG-29s have underwent a series of upgrades including more efficient and powerful radar (Zhuk-ME), weapons system and engine (upgraded RD-33).
Capable of flying at 2,500 km/h (Mach 2.3), the Mirage 2000-H is the IAF's prime ground-attack fighter jet while the double-seater Mirage 2000-TH can also play the role of an effective interceptor aircraft. This aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry including two 30 mm integral cannons, two Matra Super 530D medium-range missiles and two R550 Magic close combat missiles. The Air Force is planning to upgrade these 51 aircrafts to Mirage 2000-5 standards in deal worth US$2.1 billion.
Over 450 multi-role MiG-21 combat aircraft have been serving the IAF for the past two decades. Most of these MiGs have been upgraded since induction. In 1996, it signed a US$300 million deal with Russia to upgrade 125 MiG-21 Bis and a multi-million dollar deal was awarded to Israel's Elta for upgrading the avionics of the MiGs. As of 2007, about 250 MiG-21s remain in service with the Indian Air Force and are planned to be replaced by the indigenously-built HAL Tejas starting 2010.
Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft
Squadrons of Jaguar IS and MiG-27 aircraft serve as the IAF's primary ground strike force. The twin-engine Jaguar IB, with a top speed of Mach 1.3, is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The IAF has 100 Jaguar IS and 8 maritime strike Jaguar IM aircraft. The single-seater MiG-27 carries one GSh-6-30 six-barreled 30 mm cannon, 4000 kg of general-purpose ordnance, SPPU-22 and SPPU-6 gun pods, and various guided air-to-surface missiles. India has recently (January 2009) successfully completed the upgrade programs on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) MiG-27 ground attack fighter aircraft. DRDO carried out the avionics upgrades on the fighter aircraft. In the upgraded MiG-27s, the avionics system is built around a modular mission computer termed Core Avionics Computer (CAC). The upgraded ground attack fighters are equipped with Inertial Navigation and Global Positioning System (INGPS) providing accurate navigation during aircraft sorties. To provide more accuracy to the aircraft's weapon systems, accurate ranging sensors such as Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and Laser Ranger and Marked Target Seeker (LRMTS) have been integrated in it also. To improve situational awareness of the pilot during air combat, a digital map generator has been integrated along with a digital video recording system, which helps in mission analysis and debrief support.
Reconnaissance and Airborne Early Warning aircraft
Various unmanned aircraft are used for reconnaissance. In 2004, the IAF ordered 3 IAI Phalcon Airborne Early Warning radar system from Israel Aerospace Industries, which is considered to be the most advanced AEW&C system in the world, before the introduction of American-made Wedgetail. The air force will use 3 newly-acquired Ilyushin Il-76 Phalcon as a platform for these radar. In May 2008, India appears to have ordered an additional three Phalcon radar equipped IL-76 from Israel, pushing up the value of the deal from US$1.1 to 1.5 billion. An Indian defense delegation headed by Defense Secretary Vijay Singh, visited Israel in November 2008 to discuss the purchase of the planes and missiles from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It has been reported that India has placed a follow up order for 3 more Phalcon radar equipped IL-76 from Israel at a cost of $1.5 billion, pushing the total number to be acquired upto 6.
The first Phalcon AWACS from Israel quietly landed at Palam airport in New Delhi on Sunday, 11 January. Air Chief Marshal Fali Major and other senior air force brass inspected the aircraft before it flew off to Agra where it will be based. The second and third Phalcon AWACS shall be delivered in September 2009 and April 2010.
Additionally Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), is coordinating the Rs.1,800-crore effort to develop an indigenous airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS). The AEW&CS will comprise of an indigenous radar and control system mounted on a Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 regional jet. Under a US$210 million deal signed with Brazilian aviation company Embraer in summer 2008, Embraer will supply India 3 EMB-145s with the system mounted on them. The CABS is looking for an experienced partner who will be responsible for integrating the Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU), other antennas, trans receiver modules and various sub systems being developed by Indian defense laboratories onto the three Brazil manufactured EMB-145. It has sent a request for proposal to six vendors - Israel's Elta, the European consortium EADS, France's Thales, Sweden's SAAB Erikson and the United State's Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. The vendors have time till the third week of January 2009 to submit their proposals.
The first EMB-145 is scheduled to be delivered in 2011 and the complete system will be flight tested by the DRDO along with the Indian air force from 2012.
The IAF used to operate a fleet of MiG-25 (Foxbat) R, U reconnaissance aircraft until 2006. The high-speed interceptor aircraft carried four R-40 (AA-6 'Acrid') air-to-air missiles, two R-23 (AA-7 'Apex') and four R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') or R-73 (AA-11 'Archer'). The MiG-25, in service since the late 1980s, were decommissioned from service in 2006. The IAF also used the English Electric Canberra aircraft for reconnaissance and photo-reconnaissance missions during the Kargil war. The Canberras were originally used as Bombers, and served in that role in the 1965 and 1971 wars.
Transport aircraft
The IAF operates 25 Ilyushin Il-76 for military transport duties such as tactical and strategic airlift, at all operational levels. The Il-76 MD is a strategic air-lifter with a payload of 95,000 lb and a range of over 5,000 km (2,700 nm; 3,100 statute miles). In 2003, the IAF also purchased 6 IL-78MKI aircraft from Russia which were fitted with ARP-3 aerial refueling pods from Israel.
IAF has a fleet of 64 Avro 748 which has a payload of 5,136 kg (11,323 lb) and has a range of 1,715 km (926 nm; 1,066 mi). The air force also operates a fleet of 94 twin-engined turboprop Antonov An-32 and 73 Dornier Do 228 utility aircraft. In an effort to infuse fresh life into its transport fleet, the Indian Air Force will begin an upgrade programme for its Antonov An-32s and Dornier Do 228s in 2009.
Unmanned aerial vehicles
The primary role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. However, DRDO, ADA and HAL are also developing a range of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. The IAF operates IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and Heron UAVs. Israel Aircraft Industries and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), India's leading unmanned aerial vehicle research agency are also jointly developing three new UAVs.
UAVs can also be used as a pilot-less target aircraft. HAL Lakshya, indigenously-developed pilotless target aircraft, was inducted into the IAF in July 2005. Another UAV, the HAL Nishant Remote Piloted Vehicle (RPV) has also been developed, with an endurance of over 3 hours. The UAV can be used for carrying out ground attacks and aerial surveillance. It will be inducted into the Indian Army by 2007. Another smaller UAV, known as the Kapothaka is also being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency.
Support helicopters
An important objective of the IAF is to support ground troops by providing air-cover and by transporting men and essential commodities across the battlefield. Helicopters in service with the IAF are:
On 15 October 2006 India agreed to acquire 80 Mi-17 helicopters from the Russian Federation in a deal worth approximately US$662 million. The new and improved HAL Dhruv, complete with the more powerful Shakti engine and glass cockpit, came on stream in 2007.
Training aircraft
In 2004, the IAF placed an order for 66 BAE Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers in a deal worth over 1 billion GBP, with deliveries beginning in November, 2007 and induction in February, 2008. Another order for up to 40 more of the aircraft is expected to be placed with BAE Systems in 2008. Pilot instructors and engineers have already been trained in the UK, and the aircraft will go into 'Stage III training' service in mid-2008. The supply of these advanced trainer aircraft will bring to an end the use of the MiG-21 as a training jet. IAF suffered accidents as fighter pilots graduated from basic jet trainers to supersonic jets without intermediary training, and the Hawks were purchased to fill the slot. Of the 66 AJTs contracted, 24 are being acquired in flyaway condition. The rest will be manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). BAE Systems and HAL are scheduled to complete the delivery of all 66 aircraft by 2011.
India also manufactures less-sophisticated HAL HJT-16 Kiran and this aircraft will be replaced with the advanced HJT-36. IAF uses HPT-32 Deepak for basic training.
Future Aircraft
- Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft
The IAF plans to rise the strength of its combat fleet to 42 squadrons by 2022. The Air Force will reach the peak of strength with the induction of the planned Su-30 MKIs, Jaguars, Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA), Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)and medium combat aircraft(Medium Combat Aircraft).
, Typhoon, F-16C/D, F/A-18E/F, JAS 39 Gripen and MiG-35.]]
The Indian Air Force operates around 250 MiG-21 aircraft. Due to metal fatigue and outdated equipment, many MiG-21s used in training have crashed over the past six years, killing over 50 IAF pilots. Also, they are nearing the end of their service life having been in the IAF for many decades and are being decommissioned at an increasing pace. The IAF initially planned to replace the MiG-21 fleet with indigenously-built HAL Tejas aircraft by 2006. However, the target could not be met due to developmental delays and a US sanction, following the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which blocked the delivery of GE F404 engines - a crucial component of the LCA.
The Indian Air Force has a requirement for combat aircraft to replace the MiG-21 in service. The Mirage-2000 were considered as a replacement. However, Dassault announced that it has shut down the assembly line of the Mirage-2000. Hence the IAF included the Mig-29M/M2, Gripen and F-16 in its itinerary of consideration. This was the first time in the IAF's history that an American aircraft was being considered. Later the number of manufacturers was widened to include heavy-weight aircraft like the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and Dassault Rafale. In an interview, the then Air Chief of the IAF M. Shahindra Pal Tyagi admitted to allowing heavy-weight aircraft to compete, "to allow more competition".
The limited series production of the indigenous LCA Tejas aircraft is ongoing at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft is supposed to get full operational clearance by December 2010, as the Tejas' development has been accelerated. It is believed that the MRCA's procurement may take a much longer time than Tejas' induction in the IAF, and its subsequent mass production. The air force has issued an Intent (RoI) for procurement of MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft). The following aircraft are participating: Russian MiG-35, French Rafale, European Eurofighter Typhoon, Swedish Gripen and the US F-16IN. Besides the F-16s, the US has also offered the sale of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft. IAF pilots and technicians are familiar with earlier aircraft from MiG and Dassault and would need minimal retraining. Infrastructural and logistical support for maintenance and spares would also be easier for these aircraft compared to the unfamiliar Gripens, F-16s and F/A-18s.
Apart from the 126 multi-role combat aircraft(Option for another 74aircraft), 110 Su-30MKI air superiority fighters (out of the 230 Su-30MKI fighters ordered at cost of 8.4 billion US$, 120 are already in service with the IAF), 220 Light Combat Aircraft, 47 Jaguar combat aircraft, 4 Tu-22M3 bombers, the Indian Air Force has signed contracts for 66 BAE Hawk Mk.132 trainers (deliveries in the pipeline), 80+ combat helicopters, 3 new Long Range UAVs, 8 mid-air refueling planes, 225+ HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer aircraft and some additional medium-range transport aircraft. The Indian Air Force planned to upgrade its fleet of MiG-29 aircraft in 2007. India awarded Russia a $965 mn contract to upgrade its multi-role MiG-29 warplanes, on Monday 10 March 2008. The two post-Cold War allies signed the deal on Saturday 8 March 2008 to extend the life of India’s fleet of 70 MiG-29 jets another 15 years from their current 25 years. Russia will re-arm the twin-engined MiG-29s with air-to-air missiles, modern bombs, increased fuel capacity and the latest avionics, the contract said.
- Mirage 2000-5 :The Indian Air Force will soon conclude negotiations with Thales, and Dassault Aviation on offset package for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s to Mirage 2000-5 standard. The new capabilities include longer-range detection and weapon firing against multiple targets and an extended operating envelope that will allow a border-protection mission, for instance, with two upgraded Mirages instead of the current six, according to Thales. The contract is estimated to cost 1.5 billion Euros.
- Hawk AJT: Deliveries of the first order of 66 Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers began in November, 2007 with induction in February, 2008. An order for 57 (40 for IAF and 17 for Indian Navy) more was placed in 2008. The Hawk, along with the HJT-36, will serve the IAF's future fighter training needs.
- MiG-29:The IAF already operates 65 MiG-29s, and the Navy has ordered 16 MiG-29Ks for its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov).Since the IAF already has maintenance and upgrade facilities for the MiG-29, this would mean that the plane could be brought into service with a minimum of expenditure on infrastructure. Added to that is Russia's willingness to give full Transfer of Technology.
- C-130J Hercules: Indian Air force signed a deal to acquire 6 C-130J Super Hercules in early 2008 for US$1.06 billion. Lockheed Martin would deliver the planes on 2011.
- Light Helicopters: A tender for supply of 317 light helicopters will be floated by Ministry of Defence combining the requirements of Indian Air force (125) and Indian Army (197). The Navy is too likely to join this tender. The requirements of Indian Navy being 50–60 Helicopters and this is likely to increase the tender to 367. Unnamed Defense Ministry official stated that Letters of interest have been sent to Kamov, Bell, Augusta Westland and Eurocopter. Last week, Bell withdrew from the race, citing differences in offset clause with the Government of India. HAL has also recently joined the race with its Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). Although it is still on the drawing board, HAL officials seem to be confident to deliver in time.
- Medium Lift Helicopters: During Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to India in December 2008, the two countries inked a deal for the supply of 80 Mi-17V-5 (also known as Mi-171) medium lift helicopters at a cost of US$1.2 billion. The two countries had earlier negotiated a price of $650 million, but early in 2008 Russia asked for a revision of the contract price. Russia is expected to deliver the Mi-171 to the IAF in 2010. The deal also envisages a US$405 million "offset" obligation by Russia. The new choppers, which have an 18,000 ft operational ceiling, will replace 50 Mi-8s currently in service with the IAF, some of which are over 35 years old, and boost IAF's capability to support high-altitude posts in Siachen and Ladakh sectors. The helicopter will come with the circuitry and hard points to carry weapons.
- Attack Helicopters: Indian Air Force has plans to induct two more squadrons (22) of Attack Helicopters, capable of operating in high altitudes. The new purchase would give the force capability to operate helicopter gunships in both day and night as also in high altitude areas like Siachen, Jammu and Kashmir and North-East. It would give an option to armed forces as it can be deployed in fighting militants in insurgency-prone areas. The US aviation giant Boeing's world best seller AH-64A Apache helicopters, Russian Kamov and MI series and European consortium EADS would be bidding for the IAF's order, which could run up to more than a billion US dollars. A request for proposals has been issued to seven companies for the supply of 22 attack helicopters for the Indian Air Force. The new helicopters will replace IAF's aging fleet of Mi-35 helicopters. The contract is estimated to be worth US$500 million. The deal is expected to be finalized within two years and supply completed over the next three years. The qualitative requirements are as follows: Twin engine | High maneuverability|Anti armor capability|All weather capability|All terrain capability. The helicopters are likely to be equipped with an electronic warfare and self protection suite developed by EADS and India's Defense Avionics Research Establishment. Competing for the order will be: Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow|Eurocopter Tiger| AgustaWestland AW129| Bell AH-1Z SuperCobra| Kamov Ka-50| Mil Mi-28| HAL's Light Combat Aircraft. Boeing said in October 2008 that it won't bid for a contract to supply 22 helicopters due to time constraints. HAL's Light Combat Aircraft, which is still underdevelopment, is expected to take to the air sometime this year.
- Heavy Lift Helicopters: Indian Air Force has circulated the Request for Information for Heavy Lift Helicopters to the vendors. For this contract, the bidders could include Boeing's CH-47 Chinook, Sikorsky and Russian MI's. Indian Air Force has the requirement of 6 such helicopters. This information was provided by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F H Major on 6 February 2008.
- VIP Helicopters: Indian Air force had floated a tender in 2006 for supply of 12 VIP Helicopters and 4 Medium Lift Helicopters to replace Mi-8 Helicopters of VIP Squadron. IAF concluded the trials of competing helicopters, Augusta Westland EH-101 and Sikorsky S-92 in the period of 14–19 January 2008.The government is on the verge of clearing a US$300 million deal to purchase 12 advanced VIP helicopters from Italian armament major Augusta Westland EH-101. Owned by Finmeccanica, the Italian firm had fielded the EH101 — whose variant, US101, serves the US President — to compete for the Indian tender floated some two years ago.Based on the contract schedule, the first helicopter is likely to join the air force fleet around 2011.
Under Development
- HAL Tejas: The IAF will also buy 220 indigenously-built HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. It has already ordered a total of 28 Tejas aircraft. Weaponization is underway as an LCA Tejas successfully test-fired a Russian R-73 close-combat air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa in October, 2007. These aircraft are expected to enter service in 2010.As on February 3 2009, LCA has completed 1011 Test Flights successfully using these prototypes: TD1-233, TD2-298, PV1-182, PV2-107, PV3-120, LSP1-33, and LSP2-38.
- Medium Combat Aircraft: India is also planning to develop a fifth generation aircraft called Medium Combat Aircraft or MCA. Development(HAL & ADA) work on the MCA is awaiting government approval and design phase is in its early stages. The Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) is a twin-engined 5th generation stealth mutlirole fighter being developed by India. It will complement the HAL Tejas and the Sukhoi Su-30MKI in the Indian Air Force. The main purpose of this aircraft is to replace the aging SEPECAT Jaguar & MiG-27. Design work on the MCA has been started.
- Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft : In 2001, the Ministry of Defence signed a deal with Russia to jointly develop and fund the FGFA/PAK FA , Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi (Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces) program. The program was initiated to develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft to fill a role similar to that of Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor in all aspects. Initially, Mikoyan-Gurevich's Project 1.44 was expected to get the contract. However, Sukhoi Aviation Corporation came up with a more cost-effective aircraft and won. Design work has commenced on Sukhoi's experimental Su-47 Berkut aircraft. PAK FA proves to be a very ambitious program and the estimated costs for developing the aircraft vary between US$15-20 billion. However, it was announced in August, 2007 by Russian Air Force Commander Alexander Zelin that the development stage of the PAK FA project is complete without any Indian involvement and an Indo-Russian pact on building a fifth-generation fighter has only recently been agreed. The new project may effectively result in the development of an export version of the Russian PAK FA or very closely based on the PAK FA's final article. An official project name had not been assigned to this possible Indo-Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft development programme as of November, 2007. Sukhoi has already started construction of a prototype which is expected to feature super maneuverability, super cruise, stealth and precision in destroying ground and sea targets. Flight tests of the fighter are due to begin as early as 2009, and the aircraft may go into production by 2015. The Sukhoi and HAL will sign a formal contract to jointly develop the fighter at the beginning of 2009, the head of the United Aircraft Corporation said on Friday, 5 December 2008. "We are planning to conclude the contract at the beginning of next year," Alexei Fedorov said. According to the latest reports FGFA will have its first flight by 2015 or before 2015.
- Multirole Transport Aircraft: India's Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will form a joint-venture in mid-2009 for the the development of a Multirole Transport Aircraft, which will replace the IAF's ageing fleet of Antonov An-32s. Both HAL and UAC will invest US$300 million each on the program.
- HAL Light Combat Helicopter: India is also developing an Attack Helicopter based on HAL Dhruv. First flight of HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) is expected by March 2009.
- HAL HJT-36 Sitara: The HAL HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer carried out its maiden test flight in 2003 and is all set to enter service within the next 5 years. HAL recently signed a deal with Russian company Saturn DDB for supply of a specially designed engine for the trainer.
- Airawat (AEW&C): India has also revived the Airavat Project, which was India's first attempt in developing an indigenous AEW aircraft. According to various sources, Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), is coordinating the Rs.1,800-crore effort to develop an indigenous airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS), scheduled to be completed by 2012.The AEW&CS will comprise of an indigenous radar and control system mounted on a Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 regional jet. Under a $210 million deal signed with Brazilian aviation company Embraer in summer 2008, Embraer will supply India 3 EMB-145s with the system mounted on them. The CABS is looking for an experienced partner who will be responsible for integrating the Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU), other antennas, trans receiver modules and various sub systems being developed by Indian defense laboratories onto the three Brazil manufactured EMB-145. It has sent a request for proposal to six vendors - Israel's Elta, the European consortium EADS, France's Thales, Sweden's SAAB Erikson and the United State's Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. The vendors have time till the third week of January 2009 to submit their proposals. The first EMB-145 is scheduled to be delivered in 2011 and the complete system will be flight tested by the DRDO along with the Indian air force from 2012.
Weapons
Air to Air Missiles
Air to Surface Missiles
Surface to Air Missiles
- Akash: Indian Air force has approved the induction of Akash Missile System and had initiated the process of inducting the system. Akash has successfully demonstrated its performance through number of flight tests. DRDO and IAF jointly began a ten day intensive trial of Akash on 13 December 2007 aimed at making IAF familiar with the system.Defence News reports that IAF has already ordered two units (squadrons) of Akash which are likely to be inducted by 2009..
- Isayev SA-3 Goa: The Indian Air Force is considering upgrading its Pechora SA-3 missiles with Polish help whilst it waits for the Akash. According to Janes Missiles and Rockets (December 2005), the IAF would like to conduct the Newa-SCM upgrade package upgrade to 20 S-125M Pechora-CC systems, using primarily the Tatra 8x8 chassis, which is licence-built in India. Installation on specially adapted heavy equipment trailers or Tatra 8x8 vehicles was studied at the request of the Indian Air Force. It incorporates a new ZNO-X digital transmitter/receiver block developed by the Przemyslowy Instytut Telekomunikacji (PIT) to replace the original magnetron-based hardware. The unit uses digital technology, including digital frequency synthesis, and has automatic built-in test facilities. While the ZNO-X is an expensive upgrade, it significantly improves system performance. Most of the upgrade work would be done in India, although the core elements of the upgrade would be delivered from Poland.Pechora SAM will be phased out by 2012.
- SA-8 Gecko
- SA-16 Gimlet - MANPAD
- Almaz SA-10 Grumble
Future Surface to Air Missile Systems
- Trishul: Development of Trishul is complete. It has met the IAF requirements during its various developmental flight trials. DRDO is presently in dialogue with IAF for possible induction. Frontier India reports that Indian Air force is considering to induct small quantity to meet partial requirement of LLQRM (Low Level Quick Reaction Missile) System.. However it is not known if IAF has placed a formal order of Trishul SAM System.
- SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby): Indian Air force plans to acquire 18 Spyder SAM Systems at a cost of Rs. 1800 crore (approx. $395.4 million). A typical squadron consists of 1 Mobile Command and Control Unit and 4 Mobile Firing Units with missiles, each with their own built-in power supplies. SPYDER will reportedly replace India’s Russian-made OSA-AKM (SA-8 Gecko) and ZRK-BD Strela-10M (SA-13 Gopher) SAM systems. If the deal is approved RAFAEL would be the prime contractor, and Israel Aircraft Industries the major subcontractor. But recently Defence Ministry has ordered a probe into the deal following allegations of illegal influencing of the purchase process. Central Vigilance Commission is reviewing the deal. It was reported in February 2008 that Rafael is to sign Production Transfer Program (PTP) agreement with Tata Power for maintenance and production of the SAM System. Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the deal in January 2008. It was reported on 18 August 2008 that the Defence Acquisitions Council had approved the deal for 18 SpyDer systems at a cost of Rs. 1800 crore.. On 14 December, the Government of India informed the upper house that India has signed a deal with Rafeal for the supply of 18 SPYDER missile system.
- Maitri LLQRM (Low Level Quick Reaction Missile): DRDO is in talks with MBDA to develop Maitri LLQRM for Army, Air force and Navy. Sources said that DRDL is preparing feasibility report and is awaiting formal clearance from defence ministry.
Surface to Surface Missiles
- Prithvi II: 250km Prithvi-II Ballistic Missile is under IAF service which could be used to target airfields, command and control centers etc.
In Fiction
- Aradhana: a 1969 Bollywood film which features Rajesh Khanna as an IAF pilot who dies during conflict, leaving his wife and son behind. His son, also played by Khanna, goes on to become an ace pilot of the IAF.
- Vijeta: a 1983 Bollywood film based on the IAF. Amrish Puri played the role of a flamboyant officer who trains pilots.
- Sainyam: a 1993 Malayalam film about 2 IAF pilots, played by veteran actors Mammootty and Mukesh.
- Border: a 1997 Bollywood film which dramatizes the Battle of Longewala, including IAF's assault on a Pakistani tank column.
- Agnipankh: a Bollywood film about an IAF pilot, played by actor Jimmy Shergill, who leads his squadron during a fictional war between India and Pakistan.
- Rang De Basanti: critically-acclaimed 2006 Bollywood film about a group of youngsters who come to terms with the loss of their dear friend, an IAF pilot, who dies in an aircraft crash attributed to government corruption.
Gallery
Videos
External links
See also
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