Indian Defence Review

Formally established on 08 October 1932, the IAF will be celebrating its centenary of extraordinary service to the nation, in 2032. Beginning with just four Wapiti aircraft and six pilots, the IAF is transforming into a formidable aerospace force. The process was initiated from the turn of the century, or maybe even a little earlier, and by its centenary year, it will have assets and capabilities, which would be the envy of any air force of the world. The expectations of the country, from the IAF, are high; as it marches with confidence towards its centenary, the IAF is ever ready to live up to the expectations.

Air power, in its short history as compared to the other fighting arms, has seen more technological innovations than the others, thus affecting the very concept of force projection and conduct of war. From the first instance of using the medium of air in 1911, during WW I, to becoming the cutting edge of an invasion in WW II, air power has matured into a notable fighting arm; it can be said that the use of the third dimension to enhance military capabilities had developed and settled during WW II. General Eisenhower put emphasis in his words when he stated, “The Normandy landings were based on a deep-seated faith in the power of the Air Force in overwhelming numbers to intervene in the land battle.” Ever since that era, aviators, over the world, have been putting forth their case that airpower should hold centre-stage in any war and have proven it on many occasions in recent conflicts.

Over time, the use of air combat power has gained prominence in military operations. Today, we have to factor the use of space as well. Space power has incrementally demonstrated its huge potential for military planners to perforce combine its employment with the conventional means. Operation Desert Storm (also known as the Gulf War of 1991) first demonstrated the true contribution of air and space power. Air power took a quantum leap in reliability and importance after the initial days of the conflict, with a legacy to follow. Aerospace power had come to stay!

The Legacy of Desert Storm

With the passage of time, analysts tend to grow wiser and so has been the case in the analysis of the Gulf War of 1991. The war, as one has always been led to believe, was not as much of a towering strategic success as claimed by the US-led coalition. Many of the goals articulated by the military leaders before the commencement of the war were not realised. General Colin Powell had asserted in respect of the Iraqi Army, “…first we are going to cut it off, and then we are going to kill it…” CENTCOM had declared its objective of destroying Iraq’s capability of manufacturing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Neither was achieved; if the success had been as claimed, where then was the need for a second war of Iraq?

Notwithstanding the debates and continuing analysis, the use of aerospace power was without doubt, decisive. The successes in the air and against the ground forces are sure to keep Desert Storm in the list of winning campaigns for some time to come, with studies by armchair analysts all over the world. Interestingly, some of the most insightful comments on the use of airpower, made possible by new technologies and hence, a changed concept of operations, have come not from the US or its partners, but from Russian defence professionals. Russia, being the main supplier of military hardware and doctrine to Iraq, was closely following the progress of Desert Storm!

While historians, analysts, and observers, will have the last word, it is an accepted fact that the coalition’s technological edge over Iraq made an important difference in shaping the outcome of the war. High technology not just contributed, but was the sole reason of the victory; superior training, motivation, proficiency, leadership and boldness in execution assisted in shaping victory.

Transition in Roles of Air Power

The primary role of air power has generally been accepted to gain and maintain air superiority. Having achieved air superiority, it was then pushed in to a support role, providing fire-power and other sustaining functions to land and maritime forces. If air power is to genuinely create effects, as is being demanded from it, the current roles will also have to be given a boost to conform to this paradigm. Until some years ago, air power did not have the capability of precision with an acceptable assurance, leading to unacceptable collateral damage in surface attack missions. It did not have much loiter-time over target areas, nor was it able to provide the rapidity that is so essential today. Proficient use of cutting-edge technology has almost eliminated these gaps to an extent that air power today has become the primary instrument of choice in waging any type of war.

While air power may be the first choice of military planners to wage war, it cannot be effective without enabling operations. All operations that facilitate and shore up the effective employment of air power come under this generalised caption. This would include Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) missions, which provide the focus on reach and time-over-target, early warning and control activities, be they air or surface-based; information operations, including collection, collation and dissemination of relevant information and reconnaissance. To the last, one can add the dependency on space-based information, which has increasingly displayed its import. All force projection capabilities are becoming increasingly dependent on space operations and the trend is only likely to amplify in the decades to come.

One, however, must not get carried away and ask for the moon, for resource limitations will force the prioritisation of various factors to determine the asset availability for a particular enabling operation. There, hence, is a need to balance the force projection capability with force protection and enabling operations. The balance cannot be specified since requirements would vary as per situation, the most influential being in the context and theatre of operations.

Geo-Politics

Crystal ball gazing in geo-politics is an extremely difficult task. At the time of Desert Storm, who could have predicted the events that have followed it, would have an intense effect not just on India, but the entire world? The end of the Cold War was supposed to herald an era of peace. The world, however, has been witness to more conflicts than ever before, with current threats of a re-emergence of the Cold War. The unification of Germany created a strong nation in Europe, which assumed the leadership to pull the European Union (EU) out of the many economic upheavals that it has been facing, the Brexit and the refugee crisis being the latest!

The proliferation of Islamic terror has assumed horrific proportions after 9/11. It was expected to reduce, if not end, with the killing of Osama bin Laden. Yet just as the Greek mythological monster “Hydra” when one head is cut-off, another two sprout in its place. India going nuclear, closely followed by Pakistan and the continuing support to terrorism by Pakistan, under the threat of use tactical nukes, has affected military planning in India, with consequential effects on the economy and development of the nation. These events and more had their genesis in the 20th century, but continue to have an intense effect on the world and in particular, our region. India is located in a dynamic region. It is difficult to keep up with the changes and policies therefore, the need for utmost care in planning and manoeuvering, to avoid constant corrections.

If, for the moment, we disregard the debate on whether India has a strategic culture or not, it can be said with some degree of assurance that, over the decades after independence, India has developed an attitude that is based not on soft power but on realpolitik and geopolitical issues. Numerous examples highlight this fact, where India has taken some difficult decisions, be they in bi-lateral meetings or in international forums to balance its relations with immediate neighbours or other friendly nations. The vote on Sri Lanka in the UN Human Rights Commission, the continuing engagement with Myanmar and Iran, notwithstanding the pressures from USA, India’s oil exploration treaties with Vietnam and ‘expeditions’ in the South China Sea, the abstention in the United Nations on the vote on Russia’s annexation of Crimea, are just a few to name.

An effective foreign policy of any nation needs to be aptly supported by a strong military. The blitzkrieg in the country’s foreign policy, initiated by the Prime Minister, in translating good relations into strategic relations, hence, requires an adequate military support. Not to deride the role and capabilities of other Services, but the strike-power of any nation today, rides on air power, as has been amply demonstrated in the recent conflicts. And so is the case with India. The Army is essential to control territory with boots on ground; the Navy for securing the Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) and other assets on the sea, so essential for trade and commerce but the IAF, with the primary task of guarding the Indian skies and its national interests and other assets, is the important tool for air power projection.

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The Current Status of the IAF

Combat aircraft are the ‘Brahmastra’ of any air force and the IAF is no exception. Modernisation and upgrade which are ongoing processes, help maintain the combat edge at all times. The fleet of Mirage 2000, Jaguar and the Mig-29 are being upgraded to meet the needs of the future, while the acquisition of SU-30 MKI has become the muscle of the combat fleet. Some of the older fleets, such as the MiG 21 and MiG 27, are on the verge of being phased out. The established strength of 42 combat squadrons hence, is likely to reduce to 30 squadrons in the next three years or so. To arrest the depleting force levels and the resultant erosion of the fighting potential, the IAF has embarked on the mid-life upgrade/modernisation of some of the other fleets. These upgrades would help the fleet to render cutting-edge service for another two to three decades, if not more.

•  The upgrade of the MiG 29 fleet commenced in 2007 and is likely to be completed this year. The aircraft, once upgraded, will have an increased fuel capacity, new airborne radar in combination with other avionics and an upgraded engine.

•  The modernisation of 50 Mirage-2000 aircraft of the IAF, was contracted in 2011 and the task to be completed by mid-2021. The Indian fleet will then meet the standards of the Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2, which includes a new radar system, weapon suite, missiles, Electronic Warfare (EW) systems and much more. In this process, the airframe is also being stripped to the bare skeleton, which would give it a new lease of life. Along with the upgrade of the Mirage fleet, a separate contract for the supply of 450 MICA missiles for the upgraded fleet would add teeth to the already special platform.

•  The Jaguar twin-engine aircraft, manufactured under licence by HAL, has rendered yeoman service to the IAF since 1979. It has a proven record of reliability and is operated in five squadrons of the IAF. With the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) being accorded on 22 November 2016, the deadline for the upgrade of the aircraft in 2017 is sure to be met. The aircraft will then have multi-mode radar, glass cockpit, an upgraded navigation and attack avionics system, Hands-on-Throttle-and-Stick (HOTAS) controls, an Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) and increased power from the Honeywell engines.

•  Notwithstanding these upgrades, the strength of the combat fleet lies in the SU-30 MKI fleet, which is deployed over the country in 15 plus squadrons. The SU-30 aircraft, a fourth-generation platform, is an all-weather, heavyweight, long-range air dominance fighter, manufactured as per Indian specifications, a key feature of which is the integration of Indian systems, with Israeli and French sub-systems. The fleet has provided the IAF with the strategic reach and capability to counter any threat, both within the country’s airspace, over the high seas and in the region. The aircraft, though not initially designed to carry strategic weapons, can now carry, after the necessary modifications, the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile. It is also reported that the aircraft will soon be adapted to carry the nuclear-capable Nirbhay missile too. Negotiations with Russia are on to upgrade the fleet to fifth-generation standards, which, if culminated successfully, would get this fleet to be in service for at least three decades.

The IAF is not just concentrating on modernising its combat fleet, it is also in the process of building on its impressive strategic airlift capability with the operationalisation of the C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The tactical airlift ability and heavy-lift helicopters suitably complement these fleets. The landing of the C-130J aircraft at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), a high-altitude airfield in the Ladakh sector, along the Chinese border and that of the C-17 at Mechuka, an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) just about 25 km from the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh, has surprised many of the experts in the IAF. The large, robust, and responsive mobility displayed by the IAF, is a window to its military deployment capabilities, which has not been lost to military observers over the world.

The IAF has, perhaps, the finest skills in the world in transport and helicopter operations, in some of the most difficult and hostile terrains. With new acquisitions in both fleet, the capabilities have been significantly enhanced. The strength of the aircraft and helicopters is now being further increased to meet the demands of sub-conventional and low-intensity operations. The newly acquired C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft and Mi-17 1V/V5 helicopters, combined with the planned acquisitions for the Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and the Apache gunships will, with time, replace the ageing IL-76 and AN-32 aircraft and the Mi-17/26/35 helicopters.

The IAF has been concerned about not just the deterrence and war waging capability or the strategic and tactical airlift potential; it has looked beyond its geographical frontiers to safeguard national security interests through the acquisition of force multipliers. Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA), ‘eyes in the skies’ Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS and AEW&C) aircraft, which are so necessary not just to enhance the capabilities of the strike aircraft but also provide safety in the air to the entire fleet of the IAF, have been procured and are fully operational, with more in the pipeline.

Success in modern warfare will primarily depend on correct and timely information – an important requirement that has not been lost on the IAF. Due importance has been given to this facet in the IAF Doctrine. To achieve the desired results, Information Superiority (IS) is extremely vital to the ability of quick response with the precision combat strike assets. The purchase of new long-range-multi-functional radars, quick-reaction ground missile systems, networking and modern communication systems, high performance mission computers with data link capabilities, to disseminate real-time information with an effective man-machine interface, would ensure a gap-free surveillance and reduced ‘sensor-to-shooter’ time. The IAF is continuing its efforts to amalgamate the sensors, platforms and systems into its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) along with space assets, Airborne Early Warning and Control systems (AWACS) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), to achieve high levels of net-centricity and combat situational awareness. Along with the modern, high-performance aircraft comes the need for modern ground infrastructure. All airfields and Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG) are being upgraded to cater for the new fighter and transport aircraft. It is work-in-progress and is likely to be completed by 2017.

2020 and Beyond

It was made known to the Government of India as far back as in February 2001, during the Aero India at Bangalore, by none other than the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis, that the reduction in numbers of the combat fleet, below 39.5 squadrons for too long, can have ominous consequences. The general lethargy and indifference at times, in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unfortunately, done just that. A sluggish rate of inductions as against the phasing out due to ageing/ obsolescence/ losses, is steadily depleting the squadron strength, now standing at 34 with the possibility of further reduction to below 30! Since May 2014, with the sanctioning of new inductions, it was expected that the IAF would once again, achieve the peak of its combat potential but the delay in acquisitions is not allowing the IAF to build up the required combat potential.

• The contract for the acquisition of Rafale jets has recently been concluded after an inordinate delay. The first aircraft would join service after two years.
• The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been inducted with much fanfare, again after much delay, though the process of Final Operational Clearance (FOC) is yet to be completed! The IAF has two aircraft on its inventory in Bengaluru, and the squadron is expected to be operational in Sulur, by 2018. Work has already commenced on an improved version, Tejas Mk II, with a more powerful engine, better avionics, and overcoming other shortfalls of the present version. The IAF is expected to induct 200 aircraft of both versions by 2022.
• The IAF also wishes to possess the latest in technology by co-developing a ‘true-blood’ Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) with Russia. HAL is in a 50:50 design and production collaboration with Russia for the project. While the single-seat prototype has flown in Russia, series production for the Indian twin-seat version is likely to commence only in 2019. The induction would then commence by 2020. With such timelines, the IAF can only hope to have the entire order operational by 2028 or thereabouts. Reportedly, differences have arisen between HAL and the Russians on the cost, work share and other such issues, which were to be addressed in the recent meetings between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin.

Augmentation of the transport fleet with another six C-130J aircraft will bring the strategic and tactical airlift capability to a respectable level. Notwithstanding the upgrade of AN-32, this fleet would have to be replaced by around 2022. HAL has entered into an agreement with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia for a joint venture project dubbed as the UAC/HAL IL-214 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA). Similarly, there is search for an appropriate aircraft to replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft for which the Airbus C295 has been identified as the preferred platform. When and if these aircraft would be inducted, is anybody’s guess!

The rotary wing fleet is to be further augmented by the acquisition of 200 Kamov Ka 226T Light Utility Helicopters, 15 CH 47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters and 22 AH 64E Apache gunships. The latter two are to be procured from USA while the Kamov Ka 226T would be made in India. This would be a boost for the fleet, which fights a ‘war’ on a daily basis, even during peacetime, in the high reaches of the Himalayas. With its fleet of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters, the gunships and the heavy-lift Chinooks, the IAF appears well settled for celebrating its centenary in 2032.

The man behind the machine has not been forgotten. Training, both in the air and on the ground, is as important to the IAF, as is the procurement of aircraft and other systems. Professional skills of personnel are being enhanced in total synchronisation with the modernisation plans. As and when any new equipment is operationalised, the crew manning it, be it an aircraft or a support system, is fully operational too.

Concluding Thoughts

Comprehensive combat potential, emphasised by flexibility, quick response and mobility, is a must-have for any nation. Aerospace power, with its additional ability to reach all parts within and outside the borders, fits the bill. This competence has been aptly demonstrated in the many ongoing and recent conflicts in various parts of the world. The need for such a capability is therefore, inescapable for India.

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Formally established on 08 October 1932, the IAF will be celebrating its centenary of extraordinary service to the nation, in 2032. Beginning with just four Wapiti aircraft and six pilots, the IAF is transforming into a formidable aerospace force. The process was initiated at the turn of the century or maybe even a little earlier and by its centenary year, it will have assets and capabilities which would be the envy of any air force of the world. The expectations of the country, from the IAF are high. As it marches with confidence towards its centenary, the IAF is ever ready to live up to expectations.