 |
| Source: Official Website of the Indian Air Force (http://indianairforce.nic.in/) |
The above image is a screen grab of the website of the Indian Air Force. The Air Force currently has 6 types of fighter aircraft in active service which are all listed above. With the introduction of the Tejas and the Rafale, for about 3-4 years, the Indian Air Force will be flying 8 different weapons platforms. 8. Not to mention the number of variants, upgraded and non-upgraded types of each.
Contrast this with the Israeli Air Force which flies only two main types - The F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Fighting Falcon albeit in multiple variants. Not the Israelis? Then lets look at the US Air Force - 5 types comprising the F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35 and the A-10. For the picky ones lets say six including the ground pounding version of the Eagle, the F-15E Strike Eagle.
In fact, the only real competition to the IAF in this case is the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). They currently operate no less than 9 types currently and maybe up to 11 when the J-20 and J-31.
When the Indian Air Force went all in on the MiG-21 in the 1960's, it invested heavily into the training, maintenance, repairs and upgrade programs for the aircraft. The Air Force reaped the benefits throughout the life of the MiG-21. The planes may fly till 2021-2022 in their upgraded Bison form. These planes were used to maximum effect in the Indo-US Cope India 2004 war games. For a aircraft designed about 40 years prior, it fared exceedingly well against the USAF's F-15s. This was a direct result of a massive knowledge base - from pilots to technicians to engineers upgrading the aircraft from it's original interceptor only roots. It can be argued that the war games are not quite even but it still gives something to think about.
The Indian Air Force is now ordering the LCA on behest of our Prime Minister and Defence Minister. Imagine the future upgrade path of this airframe. Something that has been concieved and built within this country. We still have only about 30-35% indigenisation for the Tejas. The potential to further this airframe is vast and at this time seems almost unlimited what with the myth of stealth being broken by S and L Band radars, IRST systems and counter stealth tactics. While some amount of stealth shaping and Radar Absorbent Materials (RAM) can be added to the LCA for a degree of stealth capability, the more exciting additions are in the form of upgraded radars, the capability to carry and use a larger array of weapons and more capable engines for sustained supercruise and range.
Similarly, with the amount of time and investment in the Su-30MKIs, the addition of upgraded electronics and refit into the Super-30 standard is an exciting upgrade aimed at keeping these fabulous machines up to date for a long time.
The Mirage 2000s and the Jaguars are now being refitted - the Mirages to the 2000 I configuration and the Jaguars to the DARIN-III standard. The engine upgrade program on the Jaguars is still waitlisted. The replacement of the Roll Royce engines by new Honeywell powerplants will increase speed, range and warload capacity. This should be finalised soon.
The MiG-29 in Indian Air Force service is also getting a mid-life rejuvenation to bring it close to the MiG-29K standard of the Indian Navy. The MiG-29UPG is amongst the most advanced MiG-29 variants flying anywhere in the world (the only better one would probably be the MiG-35 and the MiG-29K because of its RD-33 MKs).
The only ones now remaining are the MiG-21 and the MiG-27. These will be eventually replaced by the Tejas. This would leave the Indian Air Force with 7 types including the Rafale by the mid 2020s.
My thought on this is simple - replace the Mirages and the Jaguars with a multirole aircraft that can successfully carry out deep penetration strike missions. A single platform. Tailor the AMCA to replace these fabulous aircraft. To make good on their shortcomings and to enhance their strengths. Better warload capability, enhanced electronics, supercruise, superior avionics. We have partnerships to make all these happen. Snecma for engines, IAI for avionics and radars and the Russians for weaponry where DRDO isn't enough. Further spur local industry's interest. Challenge them to develop what is required. L&T, Bharat Forge, Tatas - they've all risen to the occasion in the past and continue to do so. These companies have helped design and produce advanced components for planes and helicopters worldwide so there is no reason why they couldn't engineer components for Indian requirements.
Instead of flying 30-80 fighters of different makes, make the number of platforms smaller. Drop it to 4-5. See the cost savings emerge. And more than that, see the platforms themselves achieve their ultimate capabilities.
-ArmchairMilEnthusiast
P.S. A hat tip to Shashank Mantri for his ideas.
Disclaimer: The photograph is from the official website of the Indian Air Force and does not belong to me. Please do inform me if I am violating any copyright and I shall remove the same immediately.
No comments:
Post a Comment