Indian Defence Review

Various devices or techniques to enhance or intensify military force have existed perhaps from the earliest period of human conflict but the term “force multipliers” has become popular in military circles only in the last few decades. According to Wikipedia, “Force multiplication, refers to an attribute or a combination of attributes which make a given force more effective than that same force would be without it.” Hence a force multiplier is anything that substantially enhances the combat potential, impact and effectiveness of a given force. The commonly accepted force multipliers in the domain of air power include Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA), Precision Guided Munitions (PGM), Electronic Countermeasures (ECM), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), stealth capability and military satellites.

The cold reality, that the prospect of ever acquiring 42 combat squadrons is relentlessly receding, is beginning to dawn on the Indian Air Force (IAF). Although the target is formally scheduled to be achieved by 2022, this seems well-nigh impossible. Rather, a further drop from the existing 34 squadrons to 26 or lower is likely as older types, the Mikoyan MiG-21 variants and the MiG-27ML ground attack aircraft fleets retire from service over the next few years. Even the Sukhoi Su-30MKI twin-jet air superiority fighter, currently the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet, is plagued with poor serviceability and safety issues. At the same time, the air forces of China and Pakistan are growing and modernising. Despite bland official assurances, there are growing doubts over the IAF’s ability to successfully carry out its core missions, leave alone prosecute a two-front war.

Of the planned acquisitions by the IAF, it will take at least a decade to induct the first operational squadron of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) designed Tejas Mk II Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The fifth-generation HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is much further into the future. Even the joint Indo-Russian project to produce the fifth-generation fighter Sukhoi/HAL Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF) is mired in endless wrangling and red tape.

On a more positive note, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel in the epic saga of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). The proposed deal to acquire 36 Dassault Rafale jets off-the-shelf will hopefully bring these frontline fighters within two or three years and shore up the IAF’s rapidly dwindling combat fleet. But this is merely a stopgap measure that will still leave a large deficit. Clearly, the IAF will be forced to make do with fewer combat aircraft for many years. And the best way to get the most out of what it has may be to acquire “force multipliers” in adequate numbers.

Boeing AH-64D Apache

Multiplier Effect

Various devices or techniques to enhance or intensify military force have existed perhaps from the earliest period of human conflict but the term “force multipliers” has become popular in military circles only in the last few decades. According to Wikipedia, “Force multiplication, refers to an attribute or a combination of attributes which make a given force more effective than that same force would be without it.” Hence a force multiplier is anything that substantially enhances the combat potential, impact and effectiveness of a given force. The commonly accepted force multipliers in the domain of air power include Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA), Precision Guided Munitions (PGM), Electronic Countermeasures (ECM), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), stealth capability and military satellites.

Although the IAF’s quest for force multipliers is fairly old, it acquired added urgency when its potential opponents also began to deploy such devices. Further, the IAF doctrine of October 1995 gave renewed impetus to offensive operations in what had till then been a force characterised by a defensive mindset. Air defence was to be achieved through deterrence (“I carry a bigger stick than yours!”), as well as by upgrading the IAF’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capability and the entire air defence and communications network. The doctrine also placed emphasis on the induction and operational employment of force multipliers.

Awesome AWACS

In any contest to determine the most potent force multiplier, the AWACS would win hands down. It is a technology-packed aircraft that has radar, sensors and secure communications all rolled into one. Flying in the relative safety of friendly territory it can scan a vast volume of enemy airspace both for offensive and defensive operations. As the strike aircraft navigate towards their target the AWACS can provide target information and guidance to the strike pilots and target tracking to the weaponry. At the same time it can keep track of enemy aircraft that threaten to attack the strike force or friendly bases, right from the moment they get airborne and orchestrate the reaction of the defensive forces. It can thus function practically as an Air Defence Direction Centre (ADDC) and provide true area defence. Any nation that has this most coveted force multiplier will logically deploy it in every major military campaign.

The IAF too has enjoyed AWACS capability for over six years and it has swiftly become a mandatory component of air exercises and operations. It was on May 28, 2009, that the service inducted the first of three AWACS, consisting of the Israel Aerospace Industries’ Phalcon system built around the ELTA ELW-2090 AESA radar mounted on a Russian IL-76 A-50 four-engine jet. The third AWACS was received in 2011. The Phalcon is an exceedingly capable system with an electronically steered phased array radar, IFF, C3I, ESM, data link, as well as SIGINT, COMINT and ELINT capability. Although the procurement of two more AWACS was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in February 2014, the contract is yet to be finalised.

C-130J Super Hercules

The IAF would naturally like to be free of dependence on import of such a vital component of air power. However, efforts by the premier Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop a smaller indigenous AEW&C system have made progress only in fits and starts. There was also a fatal crash of the prototype aircraft in 1999. The programme was restarted in 2004, using the Embraer EMB-145i regional twin-jet. The radar, the most crucial component of the system, was developed by several DRDO labs including the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) and the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL).

The EMB-145i can fly continuously for five hours without refuelling. It can simultaneously track several hundred targets in the air and on the ground up to 350 km away, thus dramatically enhancing the strike capability of the IAF’s fighter jets. Although the programme is several years behind schedule which is understandable given its complexity, the IAF is expected to receive its first of three systems later this year. If the system proves its worth, a dozen or more may be acquired.

But the EMB-145i can only provide 270 degrees of coverage and is far less capable than a full-fledged AWACS with 360-degree coverage. That is why the DRDO has been doggedly pursuing its dream of making a large system. Accordingly in March, the DAC sanctioned $818 million (Rs 5,113 crore) to order two modified Airbus A330 wide-body twin-jets as the airborne platform (with four more aircraft to be purchased later). This is the first step in this challenging attempt to make an indigenous AWACS. The large radar, now under development, will have both physical rotation and electronic rotation of the radar waves. The system is planned to be ready in seven years, which seems rather optimistic. However, it augurs well for the ambitious programme that Dr S Christopher, Programme Director (AEW&C) & Director, CABS, was recently appointed Director General of DRDO.

A330 MRTT Refuelling F-18

While the A330 option is still far into the future, the current holdings of three Phalcon AWACS and expected three EMB-145i AEW&C systems would take the total to just six aircraft. However, to effectively cover the extensive land and maritime boundary of the country would need perhaps twenty aircraft, a suitable mix of AWACS and AEW&C systems. In addition about 30 fixed aerostats, including DRDO’s Akashdeep and the next generation Nakshatra, would need to be deployed along the most vulnerable borders.

Airborne Forever? Flight Refuelling Aircraft

Flight Refuelling Aircraft are another powerful means to enhance the capability of a combat fleet. The FRA enable strike aircraft to take off with limited fuel with full weapon load and then be refuelled one or more times en route to the target. This can extend their radius of action to a remarkable degree. An added advantage is that the precious strike squadrons can be based deep inside the country where they are far less vulnerable to strike by enemy aircraft than if located at an airfield close to the border.

The IAF acquired a batch of six four-engine IL-78MKI FRA from Uzbekistan in 2003 to equip the 78 Squadron based at Agra. The IL-78MKI has a total fuel capacity of about 110 tonnes and can refuel six to eight aircraft per mission. Within a short period, its force multiplier capability was proved and its potential for out-of-area contingencies and operations against China was appreciated. The IAF decided that all future aircraft must compulsorily have flight refuelling equipment installed and initiated plans to induct more tanker aircraft.