“The inherent characteristics of airpower like flexibility, responsiveness and speed would be vital in ensuring that we are able to swing forces quickly and effectively in a two-front scenario. IAF would, therefore, be a critical element in fighting against a collusive threat. Surveillance becomes a very important aspect in such a contingency as it permits us to continuously monitor the deployment, movements and the intentions of our adversaries. We undertake surveillance through a mix of resources including space based, aerial and terrestrial assets. The strategy is to maintain persistent surveillance, securely and quickly communicate the inputs from various resources and minimize the sensor to shooter time to cater to any misadventure by the adversary,” said Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhary in an exclusive interview to Deepak Kumar Rath, Editor, Uday India. Excerpts:
What is the IAF plan to maintain its combat numbers?
The current strength of fighter squadrons in the IAF is 31 against the envisaged 42 that are required to meet the challenges from our adversaries. However, we are working on it and plans are in place to improve the numbers quickly. Induction of LCA Mk IA and development of LCA Mk II and AMCA will enable us to move towards the required strength. Considering the time required in development of new platforms, IAF is pushing for 114 MRFA in the interim, to meet the requirement of having adequate 4.5 gen ac. In addition, the shortages in numbers are being mitigated through innovative tactics, realistic training and effective operational deployment. We are also working towards additional force multipliers that will allow optimum exploitation of our available assets and permit us to do ‘more’ with ‘less’ until we reach our required strength.
Under the concept of “theaterisation” how does the IAF envisage the optimal effectiveness of its overall resources for the larger objectives?
The purpose of armed forces is to deter war and if forced, to fight and win it. War requires the entire nation’s effort, including the armed forces, to work in unison towards achieving national objectives. Any restructuring of organisation is done with the purpose of enabling optimum utilisation and effectiveness of the available resources. It is therefore important that any reorganisation that is done, contributes to that effort and permits each service to retain its specific capability and permit integrated application of our combined combat potential. Intense discussions and deliberations are being carried out to achieve a model of integration that suits our nation’s specific security needs and all resources are effectively utilized towards achievement of the larger objectives.
From the IAF’s perspective, what is the future of drone warfare? What anti-drone and counter-drone capabilities are being acquired, both through indigenisation and imports?
Drones like every other platform have their own advantages and limitations. Currently they have a great utility in certain roles like ISR etc. Their utility in offensive roles especially in contested airspace is yet to be fully proven. However, as technology improves, the drones or UAVs are going to play a more and more important role in the future along with the manned platforms. Newer platforms are likely to be designed ‘optionally manned’ from the word go. There would be missions for which we would be able to employ purely unmanned platforms and others where only manned platforms must be employed. As we progress, missions would however, require an optimum ‘mix’, either in coordination, or independently. RPAs, with additional air to air capability, possibly working in tandem with manned aircraft in the Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) role are likely to see the light of day very soon. IAF is also pursuing a similar project with HAL with satisfactory progress. IAF is working on a roadmap for acquisition of RPAs to meet both the short-term and long-term operational requirements. The plan includes the procurement of various types of RPA systems ranging from Small Drones and Counter Drone systems to the MALE and HALE class of RPAs along with the combat capability. DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) is currently working on various Made in India UAV programs. The Tapas BH-201 or Rustom-1 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) is one such program with capability to operate up to 28,000 feet, with an 18 hour endurance. Another armed UAV under development is capable of operating up to an altitude of 30,000 feet with similar endurance and is capable of carrying 300 kg of payload. The MQ-9 Sky Guardian, is a turboprop-powered, multi-mission RPA developed by General Atomics with a 27-hour endurance and ceiling of 50,000 feet. It has a payload capacity of 3,850 pounds, including 3,000 pounds of external stores. In addition, we have recently signed contract for Swarm Unmanned Munition Systems which was the outcome of an extremely successful Mehar Baba Swarm Drones competition launched by the IAF to encourage and support indigenised development of niche technologies with high operational utilities. Cases for procurement of Counter UAS are also at various stages of procurement.
Is IAF prepared for a two-front war from China and Pakistan? What is the air surveillance strategy that the IAF pursues?
Collusion between our northern and western adversary is a possibility and we are prepared for it. A two-front war would definitely test our resources and capability given the shortfall in required combat capability across all domains to fight a two-front war. However, we have our operational plans ready to cater to this contingency and IAF remains always prepared to foil the nefarious designs of our adversaries. The inherent characteristics of airpower like flexibility, responsiveness and speed would be vital in ensuring that we are able to swing forces quickly and effectively in a two front scenario. IAF would, therefore, be a critical element in fighting against a collusive threat. Surveillance becomes a very important aspect in such a contingency as it permits us to continuously monitor the deployment, movements and the intentions of our adversaries. We undertake surveillance through a mix of resources including space based, aerial and terrestrial assets. The strategy is to maintain persistent surveillance, securely and quickly communicate the inputs from various resources and minimize the sensor to shooter time to cater to any misadventure by the adversary.
What has been achieved until now in the domain of network-centricity and data linking, especially across domains, for instance ground, air, and space? Additionally, with cyber and electronic warfare emerging as new war domains, what steps are being taken to ensure the security of all assets and networks?
Network centricity is the future of operations across the domains with data linking and secured communication as its main pillars. The IAF has procured SDRs as the backbone of secure voice and data communication for Network Centric Operations (NCO). The same is being integrated into fighter ac, HVAA and IRON sites. Procurement of additional SDRs is in process for integrating transport ac and helicopters into the network in future. Further, to ensure joint operations, a common waveform is being developed by DEAL, DRDO for interoperability between SDR sets of three services. The newer domains of warfare like cyber and electronic warfare will be critical to success in any future operations. Based on the lessons learnt from the recent and past conflicts, IAF too in last two to three years has made major stride in electronic warfare, wherein it has signed five contracts towards EW and inducted multiple soft skill systems against drone/ UAS. Further using AI/ ML, IAF has developed unique automated ELINT and EW programming system for information dominance and shortening of EW cycle. Adequate and proactive measures are adopted by IAF in Cyber and EW domains to ensure freedom of operations and their effectiveness during operations in a dense electronic warfare and highly active cyber environment. Effective utilisation of ECM and ECCM systems and implementation of adequate security controls from the network perimeter to the systems are in place to defend the Net Centric Warfare Infrastructure and operate them uninterrupted in a very dense EW and cyber threat environment.
The new Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) has recommended leasing as an option. And there is speculation that the IAF may opt for this to meet its trainer and FRA requirements. Is this being considered? What are the pros and cons of leasing vis a vis ownership?
Yes wet leasing of platforms as per the provisions of DAP 2020 is being considered. The RFP for wet lease of FRA was issued on 13 March 2023 and bid submission was to be done by 03 July 2023. Bids have been submitted by two vendors and the technical evaluation is under progress by TEC. Wet leasing of trainer aircraft is also being pursued to meet the flying training requirements of the IAF. As far as pros and cons of leasing are concerned, leasing provides means to possess and operate the asset without owning them and is useful to substitute huge initial capital outlays with periodical rental payment. The lease also helps in mitigating the effect of equipment obsolescence, faster acquisition of capability, and reduced administrative costs. While for certain equipment, ownership may be mandatory considering long term operational requirements, in some cases when the procurement is not feasible due to time constraints or the asset is required for a specific time or even to gain experience for operational exploitation of the equipment, leasing works out as a better option. IAF exploits both the options on case to case basis to ensure that the allocated budget is optimally utilised keeping long term capability development plans in mind.
Owing to various factors, like the Pandemic and the economy, budgetary allocations are not at the desired level. Under these circumstances, how is the IAF balancing its existing commitments with the new challenges, especially since the Ladakh 2020 crisis?
In a developing country like India, the defence budget has to understandably compete with other pressing national requirements like education, health and welfare of citizens. The government has been making all efforts to ensure that the IAF requirements get adequate priority in budget allocation owing to its criticality in combat preparedness of the country. Based on the allocated budget, IAF prioritises requirements in relation to the resource availability. Whenever required additional allocations are sought at various review stages and the government has been providing funds on as required basis. Long-term capability development plans are made, keeping in mind the budget availability, committed liabilities and the operational requirements for the future. Adequate foresight and deliberations are carried out while making these long-term plans to ensure that at every stage, a balance is maintained between the existing commitments and fresh procurements required to counter new challenges.
Leave Your Comment