Aero India 2023 | All Eyes in the Sky

Atul Chandra

The Indian Air Force (IAF) remains in a state of flux with regard to the modernisation of its airborne assets and is now entering a critical period which will dictate its future combat capability. The service is faced with a continued draw down in its combat assets, with its fighter strength having depleted to 31 operational squadrons comprising Rafale F3-R, Mirage 2000 I/TI, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 UPG, Jaguar, MiG-21 ‘Bison’ and Tejas Mk-1 aircraft. The two squadrons of Rafale F3-R fighter jets are the newest aircraft in service and the last of the 36 aircraft was inducted in December 2022.

Lockheed Martin’s F-21 fighter aircraft

Along with its stablemate the Mirage 2000 I/TI, the Rafale comprises the tip of the IAF spear, ably supported by its Su-30 MKIs, MiG-29s, followed by the Jaguar, Tejas and MiG-21 fleets. The Rafales, which are equipped with the MBDA’s game-changing long-range Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM), the SCALP deep strike cruise missile and the MICA air combat are the most advanced combat aircraft in the region. The Meteor BVRAAM presents a potent threat against advanced enemy fighters and AWACS aircraft.

Homegrown Solution

The homegrown Tejas is being inducted as a replacement for the long serving MiG-21, of which four squadrons remain. The Tejas will also undertake some of the missions performed by the MiG-27 fleet, which was retired a few years back. The air force ordered 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighters and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft in February 2021 in a contract valued at ap