“Fewer Squadrons, Bigger Risks”-Can the Indian Air Force maintain air superiority with far fewer fighter jets than sanctioned?
Indian Air Force (IAF) cannot maintain air superiority with a fighter jet fleet far below its sanctioned strength.
The IAF is authorized to have 42.5 squadrons to effectively counter a two-front threat from China and Pakistan, but it currently operates with a significantly smaller number. This shortfall creates critical vulnerabilities, particularly as its aging fleet of jets is phased out.
The Dangerous Shortfall-
The IAF's squadron strength has plummeted to around 29-31 squadrons, the lowest it has been in decades.
This is primarily due to the retirement of old, Soviet-era aircraft like the MiG-21 and MiG-27 without timely replacements. The IAF is set to retire its last two MiG-21 squadrons, a move that will further reduce its strength to near parity with the Pakistan Air Force, which has around 25 squadrons. This numerical disadvantage is a major concern.
Ageing Fleet: The IAF's fleet is a mix of modern and aging aircraft. The backbone of its fleet, the Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI, is a capable platform, but many of its other jets, including the Mirage 2000s and Jaguars, are due for retirement in the coming decade.
Slow Replacements: India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program has been plagued by delays, and the slow pace of production means it can't replace the retiring aircraft fast enough.
The more advanced Tejas Mk1A, designed to be the backbone of the IAF, has also faced delays in production and delivery.
Modernization and the Way Forward-
Despite the challenges, the IAF has a clear roadmap for modernization and is investing heavily in a future-ready force.
Next-Generation Aircraft: To address the immediate shortfall, India has acquired the Rafale from France, a highly advanced multirole fighter jet that provides a crucial technological edge. The IAF is also pursuing the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program to acquire 114 new fighter jets to bridge the gap.
Force Multipliers: The IAF is also focusing on acquiring and developing "force multipliers," such as new mid-air refuelers and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, to enhance the combat effectiveness and range of its existing fleet.
Indigenous Programs: For the long term, the IAF is banking on indigenous programs like the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter, to ensure long-term self-reliance and bridge the squadron gap.
The IAF's ability to maintain air superiority will depend on its capacity to accelerate the induction of new jets.
The current situation, with fewer squadrons and bigger risks, is unsustainable for a nation that faces a two-front threat. While the IAF's professionalism and training are top-notch, bravery alone cannot overcome a significant numerical disadvantage.
“Fewer Squadrons, Bigger Risks”-Can the Indian Air Force maintain air superiority with far fewer fighter jets than sanctioned?
Indian Air Force (IAF) cannot maintain air superiority with a fighter jet fleet far below its sanctioned strength.
The IAF is authorized to have 42.5 squadrons to effectively counter a two-front threat from China and Pakistan, but it currently operates with a significantly smaller number. This shortfall creates critical vulnerabilities, particularly as its aging fleet of jets is phased out.
The Dangerous Shortfall-
The IAF's squadron strength has plummeted to around 29-31 squadrons, the lowest it has been in decades.
This is primarily due to the retirement of old, Soviet-era aircraft like the MiG-21 and MiG-27 without timely replacements. The IAF is set to retire its last two MiG-21 squadrons, a move that will further reduce its strength to near parity with the Pakistan Air Force, which has around 25 squadrons. This numerical disadvantage is a major concern.
Ageing Fleet: The IAF's fleet is a mix of modern and aging aircraft. The backbone of its fleet, the Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI, is a capable platform, but many of its other jets, including the Mirage 2000s and Jaguars, are due for retirement in the coming decade.
Slow Replacements: India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program has been plagued by delays, and the slow pace of production means it can't replace the retiring aircraft fast enough.
The more advanced Tejas Mk1A, designed to be the backbone of the IAF, has also faced delays in production and delivery.
Modernization and the Way Forward-
Despite the challenges, the IAF has a clear roadmap for modernization and is investing heavily in a future-ready force.
Next-Generation Aircraft: To address the immediate shortfall, India has acquired the Rafale from France, a highly advanced multirole fighter jet that provides a crucial technological edge. The IAF is also pursuing the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program to acquire 114 new fighter jets to bridge the gap.
Force Multipliers: The IAF is also focusing on acquiring and developing "force multipliers," such as new mid-air refuelers and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, to enhance the combat effectiveness and range of its existing fleet.
Indigenous Programs: For the long term, the IAF is banking on indigenous programs like the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter, to ensure long-term self-reliance and bridge the squadron gap.
The IAF's ability to maintain air superiority will depend on its capacity to accelerate the induction of new jets.
The current situation, with fewer squadrons and bigger risks, is unsustainable for a nation that faces a two-front threat. While the IAF's professionalism and training are top-notch, bravery alone cannot overcome a significant numerical disadvantage.
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