Reports

Authoritative, credible and fact-based reports on defense and aerospace affairs

Daily Alerts

Latest defense and aerospace alerts from India and other major regions delivered daily to your inbox

Focus

In-depth coverage with filtering of relevant and focused subject reports

Business Networking

Connect and expand your reach with aerospace and defense industry specific business networking

Database

Search database containing thousands of reports using proprietary relevance search

Opportunities

Post and browse aerospace and defense business and career opportunities

Free subscription Join! Twitter @IndiaDefense

Indian Air Force looks for newer fighters, more AWACs: Chief

13 reports on DRDO AWACS Programme
» DRDO AWACS First Batch Delivery by 2015; Embraer EMB 145 May Not be Base Platform for Second Batch 2010-11-01
» Boeing Offers B737-700 AWACS Platform; Remains Undecided on Mid Air Refuelers Deal 2010-10-21
» AWACS Developed by DRDO to Roll Out in January 2011; Flight Tests in 2011 2010-09-12

Get a free subscription Subscribe Login
Follow us Email Feeds Twitter LinkedIn

2006-02-17 New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to acquire more advanced fighters, sophisticated defence systems and smart long-range weapons as the country's "strategic boundaries have been redefined" by its growing energy needs and participation in disaster management operations, the air chief has said.

The IAF is looking for more top of the line fighters, airborne warning and control aircraft (AWAC) and mid-air refuellers as well as smart long-range weapons "to maximise effect and minimise the force required", Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi said in an interview published in the inaugural issue of India Strategic magazine.

Tyagi said the current scenario "necessitated a strategic reach to safeguard our national interests".

The IAF has "plans to acquire more AWACs and multi-mission combat jets as well as other futuristic machines and equipment" to build up a surgical strike capability to neutralise a threat without collateral damage.

The IAF currently has six refuellers and has ordered three AWACs from Israel.

Tyagi was asked if the IAF's combat squadrons had come down to 29 from the publicly acknowledged figure of 39 a few years ago. He gave no figures but acknowledged that IAF's combat strength was progressively depleting and by 2007, a large number of MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 jets would be phased out.

Tyagi said "despite efforts, there have been delays in the procurement of modern combat aircraft and also of the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)".

However, "the problem is being compensated to some extent" by compressing the delivery schedule of the powerful Su-30 jets being built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and by the induction of force multipliers like mid-air refuellers and precision weapons.

Tyagi also pointed out that his force "has not expressed interest" in the US-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which American forces will begin inducting from 2011.

"For the present, the (126) Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCAs) we are seeking meet the current qualitative force requirements," he said.

He said IAF had sought increased production of various aircraft from HAL and also ordered an additional squadron of upgraded MiG-21 jets, all of which would be fitted with the latest "beyond visual range" (BVR) missiles and electronic warfare suites.

According to published information, the IAF was to retain only about 125 of its 300 MiG-21s in its inventory. With the creation of an additional squadron, their figure should go up to around 145.

Tyagi said of the three variants of MiG-21, the older T77 is already being phased out, the T96 used in training and operational roles will be used till 2012 and the upgraded MiG-21bis will "remain in service till 2022-25".

As for the 126 jets that the IAF plans to buy, Tyagi said a "request for proposals" (RFP) to suppliers was likely to be issued "very soon" and they would be given six months to supply information. Once the choice is finalised, the first lot of about 20 jets would be acquired within 42 to 54 months and the rest would be made in India.

IAF is considering Lockheed Martin F-16, Boeing's F-18, Sweden's Gripen, Russia's MiG-29 and France's Mirage 2005 for this deal.

Tyagi also said his force needed a "sizeable fleet of multi-mission, aerial refuelling capable fighters, helicopters, transport aircraft and a strong air defence network" as well as "space and reconnaissance assets to obtain real-time and accurate battle space pictures and data".

The IAF was acquiring smart, long-range precision weapons while its upgraded its combat jets for "real-time network centric warfare".

Tyagi praised IAF pilots and other personnel for doing well both in exercises with foreign air forces and the massive disaster relief operations since the December 2004 tsunami.