Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (?????? ???? ???? : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. It was established on October 8, 1932 as the Royal Indian Air Force. The prefix Royal was dropped after India became a Republic in 1950. It is the fourth largest airforce in the world and operates 1100+ combat and 1500+ non-combat aircraft.

Future aircraft

The Indian Air Force currently operates more than 175 MiG-21 aircraft. Due to its ageing equipment, several MiG-21s have crashed over the past 6 years killing over 50 IAF pilots, and earning the nickname flying coffins. The IAF initially planned to replace its ageing MiG-21 fleet with indegeniously-built HAL Tejas aircraft by 2006. However, the target could not be met due to developmental delays and a US sanction, following the Pokhran tests, which blocked the delivery of GE F404 engines- a crucial component of the aircraft. Eager to end its dependence on the MiG-21s, the IAF announced that it intends to purchase 126 aircraft worth over US$ 6 billion in 2004. The air force sent a Request of Information (RoI) to the following manufacturers: French Mirage 2000-5Mk2, Swedish Gripen, US F 16C and the Russian MiG-29 M2. Besides the F-16s, the US has also offered the sale of F/A-18 Hornet 18E/F combat aircraft. However, the IAF seems to inclined towards purchasing the Mirage 2000-5. It recently purchased 12 of these from Qatar and has also placed an order for 29 upgraded versions of indegeniously-manufactured Jaguar IM strike aircraft.

Related Topics:
MiG-21 - HAL Tejas - 2006 - US - Pokhran tests - GE F404 - French Mirage 2000-5Mk2 - Swedish Gripen - US F 16C - Russian MiG-29 M2 - F/A-18 Hornet 18E/F - Qatar - Jaguar IM

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Experts estimate that for India to exert influence over South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, it would require at least 60 squadrons of aircraft performing multi-role combat, deep penetration strike, air superiority, air defence, reconnaissance and electronic warfare tasks. However, the IAF presently operates only 42 squadrons, making the acquisition of these, and other aircraft all the more vital. It is reported that most IAF officers favour the Mirage 2000-5 and the MiG-29 M2 over the F-16s and F/A-18 Hornets. Dassault and MiG have historically been reliable suppliers in terms of transfers of technology, licensed production in India, personnel training, supply of spare parts, maintenance and upgradation. IAF pilots and technicians are familiar with earlier aircraft from Dassault and MiG and would need minimal retraining. Infrastructural and logistical support for maintenance and spares would also be easier for these aircraft compared to the unfamiliar Gripens, F-16s and F/A-18s.

Related Topics:
India - South Asia - Indian Ocean - Squadrons - Mirage 2000-5 - MiG-29 M2 - Dassault - MiG - F-16

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Besides 126 multi-role combat aircraft, the IAF will also buy 40 indigenously-built HAL Tejas light combat aircraft in a deal worth US$ 1.5 billion. These aircraft are expected to enter service by 2010. The HAL HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer carried out its maiden test flight in 2003 and is all set to enter service within the next 5 years. HAL recently signed a deal with the Russian Saturn DDB for supply of a specially designed engine for the trainer. The 66 Hawk T.1s will begin arriving in India from 2007. The Hawk, alongwith the HAL HJT-36, will serve the IAF's future fighter training needs. Apart from combat and training aircraft, India is also developing un-manned surveillance aircraft in collaboration with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).

Related Topics:
HAL Tejas - Light combat aircraft - 2010 - HAL HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer - 2003 - Hawk T.1 - 2007 - Un-manned - Surveillance aircraft - Israel Aircraft Industries

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In 2001, the Ministry of Defence signed a deal with Russia to jointly develop and fund the Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi (Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces) program. The program was initiated to develop 5th generation fighter aircraft to fill a role similar to that of Lockheed Martin's F/A-22 Raptor in all aspects. Initially, Mikoyan-Gurevich's Project 1.44 was expected to get the contract to construct the 5th generation aircraft. However, Sukhoi Aviation Corporation came up with a more cost-effective aircraft and bagged the contract. Design work has commenced on Sukhoi's experimental Su-47 Berkut aircraft. PAK FA proves to be a very ambitious program and the estimated costs for developing the 5th generation aircraft varies between 15 to 20 billion US$. The aircraft is set to go into production for the Russian and Indian Air Force in 2009. India is also planning to construct a 4th generation aircraft named as the Medium Combat Aircraft or MCA. The MCA is presently in early stages of development and production is expected to commence in 2015.

Related Topics:
2001 - Ministry of Defence - Russia - Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi - F/A-22 Raptor - Mikoyan-Gurevich - Project 1.44 - Sukhoi Aviation Corporation - 2009 - 2015

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