IDR Interview “…IAF has to maintain its sharp edge.”

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  In an exclusive interview, Air Chief Marshal FH Major, PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM, ADC, shared his perception about the Indian Air Force with Bharat Verma, Editor, Indian Defence Review. 

As the CAS, what is your vision for the IAF vis-à-vis the emerging regional power status of India? What are your plans in broad terms to enable the IAF to match the aspirations of the nation?

The IAF has a clear vision of the direction it is heading in, based on the geo-political and security environment, national strategic aims and our analysis thereof. My vision is the same as that of the IAF – it can’t be very different. Yes, emphasis does vary with the dictates of times and stage of evolution, so there would be some fine-tuning as we go along. The IAF Vision is linked with the vision of the country as a whole. As India grows in stature and as an economic power, it is inevitable that the Air Force will grow along with it. Maintenance of peace along our borders is of prime importance. Our vital national interests increasingly encompass our trade and energy requirements.  Some of these interests lie far from our shores and the strategic boundaries are expanding. Since we have a predominant place in the Region, we have to play our part and ensure peace and harmony. There-fore, IAF has to maintain its sharp edge.

 

The Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina relief operations are some recent examples that highlighted the requirement of ‘strategic reach’ and ‘strategic platforms’. Therefore, it will be necessary to build up our strategic assets. The IAF must have the assets to discharge its multifarious responsibilities in peace-time and in conflict.  We have already made a beginning with induction of long-range aircraft, aerial refuellers and will shortly be inducting AWACS in our inventory. All our future aircraft acquisitions will be aerial-refuelling capable. Our weapon systems will also be capable of long and ‘beyond visual range’ precision engagements. Besides building up our strategic reach capability, we need greater utilisation of space, as that is essential to operate away from the homeland. We are already using space for communications, reconnaissance, navigation and many other things. Networking of all airborne and ground-based assets, all our institutions – down the entire chain of command is another key objective, for operational efficiency and ease of command and control.

After 1962, the Government decided that the IAF would comprise 45 squadrons. We have never come close to that figure. Aircraft now have tremendous capabilities and with the availability of force multipliers, that capability is enhanced manifold. Do we, therefore, still need to aspire to be a 45 squadrons Air Force?

I would like to emphasise that technological advancements and better capabilities cannot be a replacement for numbers. For example, even though one Su-30 can carry four times the weapon-load of a MiG-21, it does not mean that one squadron of Su-30 can perform the task of four MiG squadrons. The fact is that if one MiG squadron gets grounded, three would still be available. Moreover, a single Su-30 squadron cannot be deployed at three different places, or execute multiple tasks simultaneously in different sectors.  Our possible adversaries are also acquiring such capabilities, there is a need to keep ahead.  Therefore, advanced capabilities and force-multipliers can, in this scenario, only retain or achieve a winning advantage. In an asymmetric situation in our favour, it could be that the force-multipliers and technology are able to reduce numbers required. Therefore numbers are essential in keeping with our commitments, even as the capabilities improve. We are not at the stage vis-à-vis our possible adversaries, where we can think of reducing numbers. 

The IAF has been conducting exercises jointly with the air forces of friendly foreign countries. In what way have the lessons learnt in these joint exercises contributed to value addition considering the sizeable resources expended in this endeavour? Have these exercises in any way impacted the operational philosophy of the IAF, or these have merely been a PR exercise?

In today’s world of rapidly changing technology, tactics, doctrines and roles, international defence cooperation has a significant part to play in optimising and refining training needs and furthering military diplomacy. Participation in international exercises has given us tremendous exposure, especially when operating with advanced air forces, which operate with AWACS, FRA, data-link and advance BVR / weapons. These exercises have helped us greatly in absorbing technology, reviewing doctrines and organisational structures.  This is all the more pertinent when we are inducting such systems ourselves. These engagements also help us to take stock of our equipment, training and operational capabilities, while at the same time enable us to take a measure of the capabilities of others – their training, procedures and their equipment. These are invaluable learning opportunities.  Undoubtedly, our Air Warriors have performed very well professionally during the exercises conducted so far. Through them the IAF has earned critical peer acclaim and the outcome reaffirms our faith in our training and operational capability.

Have any of the air exercises conducted jointly with the air forces of foreign countries included any elements of the helicopter fleet of the IAF, or have they been only fighter-centric? If so, do you need to correct the imbalance?

There has been a limited participation of helicopters in joint training exercises at the Counter-Insurgency Warfare School, Wairangte. Air transport exercises have also been conducted. In addition, helicopter aircrew of the IAF are getting reasonable exposure to operating in an international environment while on deployment under UN peacekeeping forces in African nations.  A total of 67 helicopter pilots are currently on deputation to three different UN missions. These missions provide ample opportunities for a large number of aircrew to be exposed to operational philosophies and capabilities of the other countries.  They also have an opportunity to derive operational experience in war-like situation.

There has been much talk about trans-formation of the IAF into an Aerospace Power? There is some anxiety in the informed of citizens regarding the rapidly depleting combat power of the IAF and given the tardy pace of the bureaucratic machinery, they extrapolate the future scenario which to understate would be rather grim in the next five years or so? How long can the IAF continue to mask the ground realities by mere rhetoric?

The IAF is the nation’s primary repository of national airpower. Transformation to an aerospace power is an evolutionary process, and the IAF is in the midst of the same. The challenges attendant in such an enterprise are enormous and take time to address. As a matter of fact, it has taken even super powers like the US, the better of over four and half decades to transform into an aerospace power. We accordingly, are cautious and realistic in our approach and are attempting to create a judicious balance of capabilities in the best interests of our nation. Acquisition, induction and integration of future capabilities is undertaken in a well thought out manner for maximising operational gains. There is no scope for attempting to mask realities by rhetoric. Our national leadership is completely aware of our capabilities, of those around us and the nuances of ensuring national security.  They also have confidence in the IAF’s capabilities.

Strategic reach of a nation demands the capacity to sustain operations far away from its borders. This requires efficient logistic support capability for which the IAF would need bases in friendly countries. Has this aspect been factored into the strategic plans? 

India’s growth as a regional power means greater responsibilities within its area of influence. In tune with India’s aspirations, the Armed Forces also have been building up their resources to meet the new and emerging challenges effectively. The IAF is in the process of enhancing its strategic reach with the induction of suitable platforms. These aerial platforms can be used effectively only if they are complemented with an adequate logistic support arrangement. International co-operation and strategic alliances are inescapable realities and have been factored into various plans, at all levels.

Cadre management in respect of officers of the IAF has been in a state of turmoil since 2003. With regard to lateral separation, the pendulum of policy has swung from one extreme to the other leading to erosion of confidence in the leadership of the IAF and unrest amongst those who after having given the best years to the service are ruthlessly denied opportunity for better prospects. Do you feel the need to re-formulate policies to harmonise with the changing dynamics of society?

Cadre / personnel management is a dynamic subject and I think we are doing fine. The contention that the organisation is ruthlessly denying opportunities for better prospects is misplaced. The issue at hand is complex and needs to be understood in its entire perspective. Lateral separations through exits are a natural pheno-menon in any pyramidical organisation. Provisions do exist in the IAF for officers of all branches to proceed on premature retirement, on various personal grounds, as governed by the Government policy. We give due consideration to all such requests on the merit of each case and seek convergence of individual aspirations with Service interests. It has also been our constant endeavour to evolve the Human Resource Policies to suit the changing environment and needs of the organisation.

The existing air defences in peninsular India are comparatively light. Radar cover is limited, airfields capable of supporting fighter operations are few and other AD vectors are almost non-existent.  Another critical factor is the depletion of fighter squadrons. In view of acquisition of air power by the LTTE, and this could be shared with anti-national elements in our country, how does the IAF intend to respond to this emergent threat?

Radar deployment for AD purpose is based on threat perception and surveillance requirement. While radar surveillance cover is adequate in most areas, there are voids in certain pockets. To plug the void, the IAF has drawn out elaborate plans. We have started integrating the civil radars in our Air Defence network. Induction of Aerostats, AWACS and new radars, which are at various stages of procurement would revamp the AD system and achieve AD surveillance over the entire Indian airspace.

The threat posed by the air arm of the LTTE is a cause for concern but not of alarm. We are keeping a close watch and have our contingency plans in place.

The Indian Army is reportedly acquiring large numbers of helicopters. The IAF is responsible for all the air maintenance tasks in our forward areas. Will there be a change in the tasking after the Indian Army gets more helicopters?  What is your vision in respect of IAF’s helicopter force?

The Indian Army is in the process of acquiring new helicopters to replace their aging fleet of Chetak/Cheetah helicopters. These helicopters are primarily utilised towards tasks intrinsic to Army requirements. Therefore induction of new helicopters in the Army is not likely to necessitate any change in tasking of IAF helicopters.

The helicopter is a versatile machine and has multi-role capability during peace and war. The IAF has consistently projected its requirement for additional helicopters to meet operational requirements.  The current fleet is overstretched in terms of tasking – be it in support of the Army, civilian agencies, for UN commitments or during disaster-relief operations.  Requirements in these roles will only increase in the future. In addition, roles such as border-management, contingency-management, NBC and Electronic warfare also have to be factored in. IAF’s helicopter fleet will be enhanced with the induction of additional helicopters, for various roles, in a phased manner during the next few years. Delivery of additional helicopters will commence in the next financial year. Upgrades on the existing fleet are also underway and are being pursued vigorously.

Civil aviation is growing very rapidly in India.  Recently there have been demands for the military to free some of its protected airspace. Do you see any conflict between national security imperatives and an accelerating economy? Is joint control of airspace a viable option?

The ‘open sky policy’ is placing more and more demands on the usage of airspace. At the same time, the IAF is gradually progressing towards more intense and complex air operations. As far as sharing of airspace is concerned, it was the IAF that initiated the concept of ‘Flexible Use of Airspace’ and had taken up with civil aviation authorities for its consideration and implementation. The IAF has accorded its clearance for five international ATS routes to pass through its area of operations, so that they are shortened, with resultant savings of time and fuel. Keeping in line with the ‘open sky policy’, not only have all IAF airfields been offered for joint civil-military use, but watch hours at some have been extended beyond normal timings to meet the demands of scheduled civil flights.  Presently, there are 19 IAF airfields from where scheduled civil flights operate. We do understand that expansion of the Civil Aviation sector is a must for our nation’s progress and we are extending all assistance in this regard.