IAF’s ‘Vision 2030’
Vayu : At a recent IAF Commanders’ conference, IAF’s ‘Vision 2030’ was articulated upon. Your concluding remarks were on the “need for rapid capacity building, increase in the serviceability of all assets and dedicated work towards effective integration of new technologies in the shortest time frame”. Could you give us an overview on the timelines for these critical objectives to be met?
CAS: Modernisation is an ongoing process to enhance operational potential in keeping with the desired combat capability. This includes induction of state-of-the-art modern equipment as well as upgrading existing systems to boost their capabilities and ensure operational relevance. Timeframes for such activity and effort run parallel to the induction and upgradation cycles and are met to ensure an operational edge over the adversary at all times. In the next five years we will induct the first of 83 Tejas Mk.1A and will put in place a rapid modernisation programme of our existing fighter fleets to integrate latest weapons, avionics and EW capabilities. We will also be inducting the HTT-40 and LCH to meet our training and attack helicopter needs. In the same timeframe we also plan to digitise our older Air Defence systems and seamlessly integrate them along with our latest acquisitions. We have already achieved a major milestone in net-centric operations through IACCS. Building on that, we are further upgrading and hardening our networks to ensure robust and redundant unified Command and Control of the air battle. The second half of the decade ahead will see us leapfrog to the induction of next generation platforms, be it the AMCA or unmanned combat enablers. We should also be able to significantly boost our AWACS, ISR and aerial refuelling capability in this time.
MiG-29UPG of the IAF (Photo: Angad Singh)
Tejas LCA Mk.1 (Photo: Angad Singh)
Three Rafale two-seaters of the IAF (Photo: Vincent Genevay)
HAL HTT-40 basic turboprop trainer (Photo: Phil Camp)
HAL light combat helicopter LCH (Photo: Phil Camp)
A model of the proposed advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) (Photo: Vayu)
Vayu : Congratulations on the induction of first Rafales in India! It will take some time for rest of these aircraft to arrive in-country and according to public information, these will operate from two widely distant airbases. Where would their 4th line maintenance facilities be established?
CAS: The Rafale squadrons at the Main Operating Bases of Ambala and Hashimara are likely to operate with full strength of 18 aircraft each by mid-2021 and 2022 respectively. We have our infrastructure in place for all necessary technical support of these aircraft. In tune with the flexible use of airpower, we will be able to deploy these assets for extended periods to Forward Operating Bases and have the wherewithal in place to support them at their operational locations. The aircraft come with a warranty of two years followed by a performance based logistics (PBL) programme which will ensure availability of the assets at high serviceability rates.
Vayu : The IAF have placed an intent to order 83 LCA Mk1As on HAL but it is uncertain as to when this variant will be developed, tested and certifi ed for series production. Could you kindly give us the probable time lines for induction of the first LCA Mk1A into IAF service?
CAS: The contract for 83 LCA Mk.1A is likely to be signed in this calendar year. It is currently at the CFA stage. The deliveries are planned to commence three years from the date of signing the contract and HAL has assured us that they will meet this timeline. The complete delivery of 83 aircraft is likely to be completed by 2027-28 subject to signing of contract this FY. HAL will have to ramp up their current production rate in order to meet the target timelines.
Vayu : Meanwhile, there are some disparate reports on progress of the IAF’s requirement for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft, the process having begun some years back. Could you please update us on the status in context of the IAF’s ‘Vision 2030’?
CAS: Procurement of 114 MRFA will be under Make in India plan. The RFI has been issued and we are currently evaluating the response received and the way ahead.
Vayu : The IAF’s transport and helicopter fleet have carried out Herculean efforts in flying reinforcements, equipment and supplies to the Ladakh region over the past three months. With the ‘face off ’ against aggressive Chinese moves showing no sign of easing, the IAF’s task for logistic air support will only increase. Are there any plans for short term leasing of additional transport aircraft/helicopters to meet the challenge?
CAS: At this point, the IAF transport fleet has adequate capacity and numbers to meet our strategic and tactical airlift requirements.
LCA Mk.1 of No.45 Squadron at AFS Sulur (Photo: IAF)
IAF C-17 Globemaster III coming into land at Leh (Photo: IAF)
IAF Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules (Photo: Simon Watson)
Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (Photo: Phil Camp)
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria after flight in Tejas LCA Mk.1 at AFS Sulur (Photo: IAF)
Vayu : The MoD have released a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP2020) for public consultation and comments. The emphasis is to significantly enhance defence production capability which also requires India’s aerospace/defence industry to more than double in size over the coming five years. With the IAF leaning on HAL to produce some 300 LCAs of all variants in the next decade, would this require major outsourcing of production to include the private sector?
CAS: We have placed our trust in the LCA project and are committed to development of the LCA versions in parallel to fi fth generation AMCA which will be the mainstay of the IAF fighter fleet in the coming decades. While we are supportive of DRDO and HAL’s efforts, the numbers involved indicate that involvement of the private sector in manufacturing is essential to ensure timely delivery of indigenous platforms. We are already low in squadron numbers, and cannot afford to lose our operational potential if our numbers continue to fall. Involvement of the private sector in both design and development and manufacture of military aerospace platforms is critical for development of a sustainable, cost effective and efficient aerospace industry within the country.