(Photo: Phil Camp)
This year, the Indian Air Force will celebrate its 90th foundation year along with India’s 75th Independence year, which makes the celebration much more special. It shows that we came a long way. The Indian Air Force is just a decade short of being a century-old air power. Being this old with a glorious past, the future must remain equally promising and being an air power of a country, which is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a challenging neighbourhood is also a responsibility. Our direct competition in the economic battle can be our rival in an actual battle, considering the border disputes with China. It’s a known fact, that the Chinese military modernisation and expansion is going at a very rapid pace, we don’t need to catch up for sure, as China has a giant economy to support the modernisation and expansion, also due to large landmass and disputes their interests are different too, but we surely need to protect our interest, and we need to protect them from two nuclear power militaries which are becoming close allies and one of them is a Superpower. The challenge is big, keeping in mind that we are still a growing economy, we need to modernise our military as well as expand it in terms of power and effectiveness. And for a modern military to be a powerful and effective force, it should be technologically advanced and completely self-reliant. So, keeping this in mind, in this article we will discuss the modernisation and future of the Indian air force. From the glorious past till this date, the Indian Air Force remains a potent air power, which is a mixture of experience combined with modern machines. The aircraft in service may appear older, but they are heavily modified to match today’s combat demands. Even the older MiG-21 Bison, which is an upgraded MiG- 21 Bis based on the Russian MiG-21-93 upgrade is one of the best MiG-21s out there. Indian MiG-21 Bison is a BVR (Beyond Visual Range) capable fighter and uses the modern Russian R-77 for BVR combat. And not only that, the performance is even enhanced for WVR (Within Visual Range) combat, with the R-73 now supported by the Russian HMS (Helmet mounted sight) can take off bore shots, which is very lethal in close combat. Even the EW (Electronic Warfare) capability is enhanced using the Israeli Elta EL/L 8222 Jammer. And the same story goes on with the other platforms which are operated by the Indian Air Force, be it Mirage 2000 I/TI, MiG-29UPG, Jaguar DARIN III, Rafale EH/DH, or even the Su-30MKI, they all are modified to become one of the best variants of their platforms. So, everything appears fine, but the question is, are we powerful and effective enough to contain a superpower to protect our interests if needed? The answer is, that we are managing, and it requires more work. We can say we are technologically advanced, but we are not self-reliant, which holds us back, especially when we are a growing economy as well as a military power. This to change and fortunately, it’s changing.
Clockwise: MiG-29UPG, Jaguar, Rafale and LCA
MiG-21 (Photo: Simon Watson)
All thanks to the LCA project, we have a strong base to build a robust aerospace infrastructure in this country, with the support of the Armed Forces and the Government. The LCA project has led to multiple sister projects where the sophistication level is increasing project by project. First, we have a Tejas Mk.2 project or the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) project, which is an enhanced version of the LCA Tejas, and it is supposed to be better than Tejas in everything, be it avionics, weapon carrying capacity, maneuverability, networking capability, etc. The platform is being developed as a 4.5+ generation fighter and what’s more interesting here is, that it is in parallel development with a level-up 5th Generation fighter i.e., Advance Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Now, the benefit of the parallel development is, that both the aircraft are sharing technology here, some 5th Gen Technology from AMCA is also present in the Tejas Mk.2, this way we are saving the R&D cost and time for two different projects as well as getting a sophisticated 4.5 Gen machine, which will be very capable and will be much more economical to operate as in comparison with a 5th Gen platform. And things don’t end up here, we even have a project for the Indian Navy too, i.e., Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), which is again a parallel project and will share the development features from AMCA as well as Tejas Mk.2. IAF Rafale (Photo: MoD) The projected timeline for their service induction is 2028 for Tejas Mk.2 and 2030 for AMCA as of now. They are supposed to replace Mig-29UPGs, Mirage 2000 I/TI as well as Sepecat Jaguars from IAF service along with the induction of MRFA aircraft to increase IAF’s squadron strength.
MiG-29UPG (Photo: Simon Watson)
IAF Rafale (Photo: MoD)
LCA Tejas (Photo: Vayu)
HTT-40 (Photo: Phil Camp)
So, these sophisticated machines are in development here, but are they completely indigenous? The answer to that is a “No”, no they are not completely indigenous, and they are not supposed to be. No country makes everything on its own, we can try for maximum indigenous components, but reaching 100% is not economical. Also, reaching the maximum should be our goal, and with these projects, we are trying to achieve that, and with Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk.2 and finally AMCA, we are constantly increasing the percentage of indigenous components from 50% to 80% and to even 90%. And the biggest development here will be making a completely indigenous jet engine, which is going to be a 110 kN class engine, in the category of GE’s F414, Rolls Royce’s EJ200 and Snecma’s M88. For this, unlike the Kaveri project, we are looking for a partner with experience, also, we have gained experience too from the Kaveri project itself, so now we have a good chance of developing a successful jet engine in the given time, unlike before. And with the development of a jet engine, we will be able to increase the percentage of indigenisation on aircraft like Tejas, Tejas Mk.2 and even in AMCA Mk.1 in the future, thus making us more self-reliant for these platforms also. We are already developing advanced avionics including Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, next generation jammers, Infrared Search and Track (IRST), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), Countermeasure Dispensing System (CMDS), Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, etc, which are responsible for increasing the percentage of indigenisation in Tejas Mk1A, Mk.2 and even in AMCA, but the jet engine development will be a game changer. Along with the development of a 110 kN class jet engine, we are developing a small 25 kN thrust class jet engine too, that too completely indigenously. The name of the engine is HTFE 25, it is currently in its final development phase, and after its development, we will be able to use it, to power our made-in-India jet trainer, BAE HAWK, which is originally British, but under the project “HAWK i”, HAL is already making it mostly with indigenous components, thus almost ending the reliability on Britain for the aircraft, while making it a combat effective platform at the same time. And since we are talking about trainers, it is also very important to talk about other indigenous developments in this field. And this is a field where we can truly feel proud, as from basic trainer to even Lead in Flight Trainer (LIFT), we will be making all of them in India for the Indian Air force, and most of these projects are in the final phases of their development, whereas some are even close to induction. The basic trainer here is HTT-40, which has cleared most of its developmental trials, the Intermediate Jet Trainer or IJT is HJT-36 Sitara, which has again cleared its critical 6-turn spin trials, after some redesigning and now it’s in the final phase of its developmental trials, also the advance jet trainer is BAE Hawk, which is now being converted into an indigenous trainer as well as a light strike platform as discussed up there and finally, we are developing a LIFT which is based on LCA platform, which is going to be highly sophisticated machine forming the base of Indian manned-unmanned teaming system, known as Combat Air Teaming System (CATS). The CATS will include a mothership, which is going to be an LCA-based platform, teaming with unmanned drones, or the Loyal Wingman with swarm drones and smart weapons. So, at least, in the case of flying combat aircraft, it is safe to say, that in the coming 15-20 yrs. we will be mostly flying indigenous combat aircraft except for Su-30MKI, Rafale and MRFA (yet to be decided).
LCA Mk.2 and AMCA models on display (Photo: Vayu)
Also, even with the Su-30MKI, we are trying to increase the percentage of indigenisation, with future upgrades, and even with the licensed components including the engine, hence there also we are trying to be less reliant on Russia, and not only for the platform but also for the weapons the platform will carry. We are already developing next generation air to air missiles (Astra Mk1, Mk2, Mk3, and NGCCM), next-generation air-to-groundmissiles (Rudram 1,2,3 and Brahmos), and next-generation smart air-to-ground munition (SAAW, Gaurav, Gautham, TARA, etc.). The good thing here is, that these weapons are going to be compatible with all of our platforms, be they indigenous or foreign. Thus, even with world-class weapons, we will be self-reliant. Now, an Air force is not only a combat aircraft, it’s far more than that, it includes, support aircraft, transport aircraft, combat helicopters, air defence systems, surveillance systems, electronic warfare systems as well as a robust ground infrastructure. So, we will discuss each field one by one.
Support Aircraft
These are the platforms, which support missions of combat platforms. These are Advance Early Warning and Control systems (AEW&CS), air to air refuelers, as well as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) platforms. And this is the field where we are struggling the most and mostly because of budget issues leading to delays. It’s only now, that we can say, we are progressing on a practical path, to contain budget issues while fulfilling our requirements. Right now, we have 3 Phalcon AWACS, which are huge 360-degree coverage AWACS, with 3 Netra Mk1 AWACS, which are small 240-degree coverage AWACS, making a total of 6 platforms in service. Our requirement is projected to be 18 AWACS, that too for now. In the future when the squadron numbers will increase, the requirement will go further up. So, to bridge the gap economically, we went into an innovative direction, in which 6 pre-owned Air India’s Airbus A319 aircraft are acquired, modified, and right now, being converted into an advanced Netra platform, known as the Netra Mk2 for now which is going to have an enhanced range as well as capabilities over the existing Mk1s. Also, there is some news that IAF can go for a further 6 more Netra Mk1 for completing the requirement, but it is yet to be confirmed. Here also, if we exclude the main platform, the system is Indian in the case of Netra Mk1 & Mk2, which will be forming most of our AEW&CS capabilities. The platform is an exception, and it will remain an exception for a long time, as there are only a few companies around the globe that make these platforms, and since, our requirement is limited, making an entire platform for few numbers, doesn’t worth the expenses in R&D as well as time. So, we can say that we will be self-reliant in the case of AEW&CS too. Now, coming to air-to-air refuelers, again we struggle here also. As of today, the IAF operates 6 Il- 78MKIs, but the requirement is far beyond that, since, almost all of our combat aircraft are capable of air-to-air refueling, but we don’t have the required numbers to support a large-scale operation. So, to solve the issue, again we went for a similar innovative way, where HAL will develop a multirole transport tanker (MRTT) platform with Israel’s IAI, based on 6 pre-owned Boeing 767 platforms. The MoU is signed, and IAI has already converted one such platform for the Colombian Air Force, so not much is left here regarding the R&D work, hence we can expect results sooner. Coming to the ISTAR platform, again it is a long battle for us, and currently, we don’t even have a single ISTAR platform. But we are in a process of acquiring one and making more here in India, as a joint project with the United States. Most likely the platform will be based on Raytheon’s Sentinel.
Combat Air Teaming System CATS (Photo: Vayu)
Netra with a pair of Su-30MKIs (Photo: Phil Camp)
Phalcon AWACS (Photo: Pushpindar Singh)
Il-78MKI refueller (photo: Simon Watson)
Transport Aircraft
C-130J (Photo: Pushpindar Singh) and C-17 (Photo: Boeing)
IAF An-32 and Dornier Do-228 (Photo: Angad Singh)
The IAF’s transport fleet is made up heavy lift aircraft like Russian Il-76 and American C-17 Globemaster III, medium-lift aircraft like C-130J-30 Super Hercules, An-32s, HS748 Avro, light transport aircraft like Dornier Do228 and then in helicopters, we have Mi 17V1/5, CH-47F Chinook, ALH Dhruv, Cheetah and Chetak. Almost all of these platforms are imported with an exception of ALH Dhruv and Dornier Do 228, which are made in India. In the case of the rotatory wing, we are making good progress, ALH Dhruv is an Phalcon AWACS (Photo: Pushpindar Singh) Il-78MKI refueller (photo: Simon Watson) example of that, which is operated by the IAF in decent numbers. In the future, we will be replacing all the Mi 17 helicopters with an Indian helicopter, known as IMRH, which is currently under development. Cheetahs and Chetak will also be replaced by indigenous LUH. So, except Chinook, almost all the rotatory wing transport platforms of IAF are going to be indigenous. Coming to the fixed wing, this is an untouched territory for most countries, as the requirement here is limited, so putting R&D work for limited numbers is not economical, although India tried with a joint MTA project with Russia for medium lift transport aircraft which we need close to 100, but things didn’t work out and the programme stalled. Now, we are acquiring Airbus C295 aircraft as HS748’s replacement, the contract has been signed for 56 aircraft and these aircraft will be made in India under ToT, which will ensure, self-reliance for the platform, which is the next best thing. Similarly, there are some reports, that India can land in a similar arrangement with Brazil’s Embraer for C-390 Millennium aircraft, as An-32s replacement. Again, if this happens, we will have the next best thing to a completely indigenous platform, almost making us self-reliant in fixed-wing transport fleet too, as except the heavy lift category, in all the other categories we will have platforms, which will be completely made in India.
Combat Helicopters
Some IAF vertical lift assets: Chinook, Dhruv ALH, Apache and Mi 17V1/5 (Photo: Vayu)
Air Defence Systems
Akash SAM (Photo: Vayu)
Historically, IAF-operated air defence systems originated from mostly Russia and Israel, but this is changing very fast. We are replacing most of the legacy Russian air defence systems with completely indigenous systems like the Akash Family (Akash, Akash 1S, Akash Prime, and Akash NG) and the MR-SAM for medium-range engagements. And in the future, IAF will operate, QRSAM, VL-SR SAM for point defence and XR-SAM for long-range engagements. So, we can say that most of IAF’s air defence missiles are going to be indigenous with an exception of the Russian S-400 for longrange engagements.
Surveillance and Drones
If we look at IAF’s current drone inventory, we operate two types, IAI Searcher and IAI Heron and both of them are from Israel. Right now, they are only being used for surveillance, but Heron will be upgraded with a limited combat capability, under project Cheetah. In the future IAF can acquire around 10 American MQ-9 Predator B drones, which are MALE UAVs with combat capability. Also, in a period of 2-5 years, IAF will give orders for the indigenously developed TAPAS- BH-201 drone, which is under its final development phase, and in a time frame of 10-15 yrs, IAF will acquire DRDO’s Ghatak stealth UCAV which is currently under development and its SWIFT prototype has already conducted its first flight.
Electronic Warfare System
IAF operates a few EW platforms, but the information about them in the public domain is very limited and it is estimated that a total of 3 American-upgraded Gulfstream III platforms are used for the role. Although our fighter aircraft are also modified to perform limited EW roles, but for dedicated EW operations, we have no fighter squadrons. But some new reports suggest that a few Su-30MKIs might be converted into dedicated EW platforms in the future.
DE/DRDO SWIFT displayed as a model (Photo: Vayu)
Robust Ground Infrastructure
A robust ground infrastructure is also very important to support all-weather, day, and night operations. With the threat of electronic attack, it is also important to ensure proper connectivity and situational awareness. For this, IAF provided a contract to TATA power SED, for modernising 30 IAF’s airfields, while in parallel, upgrading the air bases with modern DRDO’s surveillance radar like DRDO Arudhra and ensuring proper connectivity with the installation of Software Defined Radios (BNET). Also, after the Jammu Drone attack, IAF upgraded its air bases with indigenous anti-drone capability, developed by DRDO itself. The system is very capable and can act in two operating modes, hard kill and soft kill. It can engage drones of any size up to a range of 4km. So, as we can see, the IAF is already on a path of being a completely ‘desi’ air force, and relying mostly on indigenous options for completing current and future requirements. These developments are leading the way to a completely indigenous and self-reliant Air Force. And hence we can say, the future is bright and strong.
Article by Durgesh Singh Twitter: @Defencematrix1