In Fighter Mode

Atul Kumar

To boost its depleting fighter strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to add nine squadrons by 2025-26, comprising 36 Rafales, 21 MiG-29s, 18 Su-30MKIs, 24 LCA Mk.1 and 83 LCA Mk.1A. The Ambala-based ‘Golden Arrows’ squadron has been resuscitated to induct the first four Rafale fighters scheduled to arrive in India in October.

Su-30MKI, Jaguar IS DARIN 3 and Tejas flypast at DefExpo 2018

Dassault Aviation’s Rafale integrates a robust and reliable suite of sensors comprising RBE-2-AA AESA radar, long-range FSO (front sector optronics) optoelectronics IR system, internal Spectra EW suite and 3^rd-Gen Damocles targeting pod (can be replaced by new TALIOS) as well as AREOS recce pod. The entire sensor suite has been developed by Thales in collaboration with MBDA and Safran Defence and Electronics. The Indian Rafales will feature some 13 India-specific enhancements. There is speculation that contract for 36 more off-the-shelf Rafales could be signed by the next year taking the total numbers to 72.

The IAF is also in the process of adding an additional squadron (18 aircraft) of Su-30MKI, the order for which is likely to be concluded by 2022. “We have fully met our commitments on delivering all technological sets of Su-30MKI fighter jets and have received an additional bid for another 18 technological sets. The bid is being worked out,” deputy director of Russia’s FSMTC, Vladimir Drozhzhov was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency.

As of now, a total of 272 aircraft have been ordered, out of which 50 were directly imported and later upgraded to MKIs at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), while the rest are being manufactured at HAL under Transfer of Technology. Currently, over 250 Su-30MKIs are in active service with the IAF and rest being manufactured at HAL’s Nasik division and will be delivered by March 2020.

Su-30MKI was tailored especially for the IAF by HAL jointly with Sukhoi, the aircraft features exceptionally customised avionics and systems suite such as digital multi-mode N011M Bars hybrid PESA radar and OLS-30 LR/IRST system from Russia, Elbit Su 967 Head-Up display and EL/M-8222 EW Jammer pod as well as lightning targeting pod from Israel, primary cockpit in