Jaison Deepak

The induction of new generation aircraft like the Rafale, C-130J and C-17 into the Indian Air Force (IAF) mandates improved infrastructure and networking in airfields to maximise their utility and effectiveness for everyday operation and wartime purposes. Older aircraft like the MiG-21, MiG-27 do not possess the onboard equipment to take advantage of a modern airfield. A contemporary airfield is equipped to handle air operations and traffic management in all weather conditions. It has smooth logistics, protection against threats with air defence systems, passive protection to parked aircraft when under attack, and is able to reduce the threat of Foreign Object Damage (FOD) and bird hits while emergency units handle other unforeseen incidents.

Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules at Srinagar Air Force station

Airfield Infrastructure

The need for Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) was felt more than a decade ago by the Indian Air Force (IAF) but progress was made in 2011 when the ministry of defence (MoD) signed a Rs 1,100 crore contract with TATA Power SED for m