No Time to Lose | October 2021

Atul Chandra

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in the midst of one of its most challenging periods, with a free fall in its operational fighter aircraft squadron strength coupled with rapid obsolescence of existing technologies, rendering some of its weapon systems seemingly ineffective on the modern battlefield.

Rafale induction ceremony at Ambala

The IAF is now down to less than 30 combat squadrons and continues to face challenges related to acquisition of additional fighters, trainers, light helicopters and mid-air refuellers. The looming decline has been further exacerbated by delays, which are now ‘de rigueur’ with defence procurement in India with nearly every major military aircraft or helicopter procurement impeded, depriving the service of inducting the latest technology.

Speaking during a 2016 lecture in Bengaluru, then chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa had said that there was a stark difference between high-end and low-end technology in air combat and top of the line equipment is needed to win the depth battle. This makes it imperative for the IAF to have a healthy mix of state-of-the-art, modern and obsolete platforms, if it is to retain its combat edge.

Procurement Saga

The IAF envisioned the impending decline in its combat squadron strength, two decades ago, when it started looking at a replacement for its large MiG-21 fleet. About a decade ago, it appeared that the IAF was well on its way with its modernisation plans with the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender for 126 aircraft, along with what appeared to be a historic opportunity to jointly develop the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) with Russia.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) appeared po