Tag: aircraft

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378: Q & A ON INDIA-CHINA STAND OFF

 

Pic courtesy: internet

 

Gist of replies to questions by a researcher on the subject.

 

Q1. How is the IAF acting as a force multiplier in the India-China military standoff in Ladakh?

 

  • The question needs rephrasing. IAF is an active participant and contributor towards dealing with the situation.

 

  • It is a national situation, requiring a whole of nation (i.e. all tools of statecraft) approach.

 

  • The defence services (Indian Air Force included) are doing the needful jointly and synergistically.

 

  • IAF undertakes missions to accomplish its roles and tasks (like any other defence force), including:-

 

    • Political and strategic signalling. By deploying and operating aircraft, weapons and systems at appropriate places. Also by carrying out exercises in these areas.

 

    • Rapid mobility, troop induction, and transfer. Rapid troop mobilisation undertaken by the IAF surprised everyone.

 

    • Sustenance and supply (equipment, ammunition, weapons, rations, etc.). All IAF resources including heavy-lift aircraft, medium-lift aircraft, and helicopters are used for this task.

 

    • Saving valuable lives by casualty evacuation and medical support as and when required.

 

    • Enhancement of situational awareness by reconnaissance and information sharing by using all the reconnaissance assets and sharing information rapidly through its networked communication systems.

 

    • Joint planning and monitoring by working synergistically with sister surface services.

 

    • Training and equipping to meet challenges by periodic review of immediate, mid-term, and long-term plans.

 

  • All the assets of IAF are always available and are used to deal with prevailing or emerging situations.

 

Q2. How will you assess the IAF’s preparedness in case there’s a hot war between India and China at the LAC?

 

  • IAF is always prepared for any eventuality. It is a capable, motivated and battle-hardened force.

 

  • Please refer to the Global Air Powers Ranking (2023) by WDMMA (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft, which provides the current ranking of the various air forces of the world. (https://www.wdmma.org/ranking.php)

 

  • It does not base its assessment purely on numerical strength but carries out a holistic analysis of numerous factors to ascertain warfighting capability.

 

  • According to the latest report, the IAF is a few points ahead in its war-waging capabilities, despite being short numerically.

 

  • Moreover, IAF always works on two plans. First plan to fight immediately with whatever it has. The second one is to enhance its potential (capability and capacity) in the short, mid and long term.

 

  • These plans are periodically reviewed, revised and activated.

 

  • This edge needs to be maintained. The warfighting capabilities have built up over the years however, it is the capacity (war endurance) that needs enhancement on priority. Appropriate actions have been initiated and they need to be executed speedily.

 

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Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

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377: EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR 2023

 

 

Interacted with Journalists on military exercises in general and Ex Bright Star  in particular, and provided the necessary inputs, views and clarifications.

 

Gist of inputs:

 

  • India and Egypt Defence cooperation has been progressing well with mutual high-level visits, exercises, training etc.

 

  • The Indian Air Force has been participating in bilateral exercises with the Egyptian Air Force.

 

 

  • The exercises are carried out as part of defence diplomacy due to reasons like learning best practices from each other, maintaining good military relations, increasing interoperability, political signalling, and showcasing of indigenous defence equipment etc.

 

  • The Indian Air Force is moving from bilateral to multilateral exercises.

 

  • It has already participated in them but now it is hosting one in a few months.

 

  • In future the defence exercises will become multilateral, multiservice and multidomain.

 

Military Exercises

 

IAF conducts regular exercises with friendly foreign  countries. These exercises involve lot of detailed planning and preparation. The preparations start almost six months prior or earlier.

 

These exercises are bilateral or multilateral, single service or multi service. The trend is changing from bilateral single service exercises earlier to multilateral multi service exercises now.

 

IAF has carried out exercises with Air Forces of many countries including USA, Russia, UK, France, Australia, South Africa, UAE, Singapore, Oman and Thailand etc.

 

The level of exercise (i.e. number of aerial assets,  duration of exercise  and type of  air combat missions) depends from country to country. These vary from short duration exercises with few assets on themes like HADR to full fledged combat exercises with large number and variety of platforms carrying out complex LFE (large scale engagement) missions.

 

The frequency of carrying out exercises also varies from country to country. With some countries it is regular once every two or three years. With others it is less often, once in 3 to 5 years. Generally during transit for bigger exercises, some smaller exercises are carried out during the stop overs en route (Out bound or inbound leg).  These are called hop exercises.

 

There are many advantages of these exercises. These exercises are part of defence diplomacy and political signaling in the larger scheme of international relations and engagements. At operating level, the participants learn about the best practices from each other and It broadens their horizon and prepares them for their future assignments. Further it improves interoperability between the participating forces. The advantages accrued out of these exercises far outweigh the effort and money spent on them.

 

Link to one of the article on Ex Bright Star 23

https://news.abplive.com/india-at-2047/india-egypt-ties-tri-services-exercise-bright-star-in-cairo-indian-air-force-brahmos-missile-systems-defence-ministry-india-at-2047-1626061/amp

 

Link to another article

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-army-to-participate-in-largest-ever-joint-military-exercise-in-middle-east-says-mod/articleshow/103176080.cms

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Pics courtesy internet

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368: INTERACTION WITH AN INTERNATIONAL NEWS CHANNEL

 

(It was clarified that the views expressed are my own and have nothing to do with IAF or GOI)

 

The questions addressed and the essence of communicated opinions are as follows:-

 

Q1. What’s your take on the IAF’s modernization plan? Is it going as per schedule?

 

  • Instead of modernisation, I would call it a capability development plan.

 

  • IAF is quite modern.

 

  • Over the years its capabilities have increased manifold (e.g. – capabilities like precision, standoff, airlift, high altitude operations, all-weather 24 X 7 ops, network centricity, etc).

 

  • However, the capacity in terms of quantity (war endurance) needs enhancement.

 

  • The capability and capacity combined determine the deterrence value.

 

  • The deterrence value required depends on threat perception (number of enemies, their capabilities, and their attitude and intentions).

 

  • India faces a collusive threat with aggressive behaviour.

 

  • Capability development and capacity enhancement is a continuous process.

 

  • The process was a bit slow earlier but now has picked up pace.

 

Q2. How do depleting squadron numbers pose a challenge to the IAF?

 

  • Yes, it definitely is a challenge, considering the threats and prevailing environment.

 

  • The drawdown has taken place to about 30 odd squadrons much below the authorised strength.

 

  • The actual numbers needed in order to have the requisite deterrence value would be much higher.

 

  • A drawdown mitigation plan exists and is reviewed periodically.

 

  • Self-reliance is one of the important factors in the plan (also a major lesson learned from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war).

 

  • India is trying the “Leap Frog” method.

 

  • There have been slippages and delays in the past.

 

  • The pace has picked up in the last few years due to the recent initiatives and the multi-pronged approach.

 

  • IAF has always supported self-reliance and would continue to do so.

 

  • However, the minimum deterrence value and a balance between quality and quantity need to be maintained at all times.

 

Q3. The IAF plans to acquire more jets under its ambitious plan to purchase 114 foreign fighter planes – will India go for Sukhois or stick to Rafales?

 

  • First of all, I would replace the word ambitious with needed, urgent, or crucial in the question.

 

  • Keeping in mind what I said earlier about self-reliance, minimum deterrence value, and maintaining of balance between quantity and quality.

 

  • The Indigenous fighter aircraft development plan consists of Tejas MK IA, 4.5 generation Tejas MK II, and 5th generation AMCA.

 

  • The project was slow earlier but has picked up pace now. However, newer versions are some time away and the existing gap needs to be filled up on priority.

 

  • The acquisition of 114 fighter jets is crucial.

 

  • In view of India’s priorities and focus, the deal needs to be “make in India” with a high content of technology transfer.

 

  • As far as which one to buy, would depend on the selection process, which is quite exhaustive and transparent.

 

  • Some of the factors for consideration would be:-
    • Capabilities Vis-à-vis Qualitative requirements.
    • Price – maximum “bang for the buck”.
    • Support to “Make in India”.
    • Transfer of technology.
    • Ability to deliver and sustain.
    • Geo-Political and Geo-Strategic aspects (Including past and present relations).

 

Q4. How the IAF is helping the Indian Army in its current stand-off with China?

 

  • The question needs rephrasing.

 

  • It is a national situation, requiring a whole of nation (all tools of statecraft) approach.

 

  • The defence services are doing the needful jointly and synergistically.

 

  • IAF undertakes missions to accomplish its roles and tasks (like any other defence force), including:-
    • Political and strategic signaling.
    • Rapid mobility, troop induction, and transfer.
    • Sustenance and supply (equipment, ammunition, weapons, rations, etc).
    • Casualty evacuation and medical support.
    • Enhancement of situational awareness by reconnaissance and information sharing.
    • Joint planning and monitoring.
    • Training and equipping to meet challenges.

 

  • All the assets of IAF are always available to deal with prevailing or emerging situations.

 

Q5. How do you view the induction of LCA Tejas in the IAF and Navy, and can the homegrown aircraft become the lynchpin of India’s security apparatus?

 

  • The LCA Navy had been converted into a technology demonstration program.

 

  • The experienced gained would be utilised to develop a TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter).

 

  • IAF has already inducted two squadrons of Tejas aircraft.

 

  • 83 Tejas Mk I aircraft are on order.

 

  • Tejas Mk II and AMCA are under development.

 

  • The teething problems have been addressed and the indigenous fighter aircraft program is evolving and maturing.

 

  • It is essential because of aspects related to cost, self-reliance, the latest technology, availability, integration, and modifications.

 

Q6. In recent years, the Indian Air Force has been focusing on indigenous helicopters and there have been reports that New Delhi’s deal for Russian-built Kamov helicopters has been put on the backburner. What’s your take on this?

 

  • Cannot comment on this issue as I am not privy to IAF or government thinking and decisions.

 

  • My personal views are that given a choice, it is always advantageous to go in for indigenous products due to reasons enumerated earlier.

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

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