India’s Fighter Jet Conundrum
Context
This is expected to remain the same or even decrease by 2029
IAF informed that the shortfall may not be accomplished anytime soon
Against the sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons, the IAF has only 31 squadrons today
Evolution of the IAF
1962-1980 Phase
1947-1962 Phase
1980-Present Phase
Pre-Independence Phase
Played a crucial role in World War II and the 1947-48 Kashmir War
Expansion and modernization of the IAF
Small organization with only six officers and 19 airmen
Involvement in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars
Acquisition of new aircraft and weapons systems
Modernization with the induction of new aircraft and missiles
Further modernization with the acquisition of new aircraft, missiles, and weapons systems
Focus on enhancing operational readiness
Current Status
of the IAF
Sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons
1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars and the Kargil conflict in 1999
IAF has around 1,500 aircraft and 140,000 personnel
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations
Challenges faced
Selective modernization
Diverse threat
Arsenal shortages
Logistic fallouts
Decommissioning aircrafts
Maintenance and overhaul challenges
Opportunities
for the IAF
UAV induction
Joint cooperation
Indigenization
Modernization
Challenges
R&D, Infra bottlenecks
Lack of skilled labour, limited funding, and the need for technology transfer
Procurement delay
Way forward
Effective collaboration between industry, government, and the armed forces
Need to form a National Aeronautic Commission
Invest in own industry to achieve self-reliance in the long term
Private companies are doing well as thus the government needs to encourage them
Prioritize the acquisition of MRFA, focus on increasing availability rates of Su-30