For the last several years, Chiefs of Staff S Krishnaswamy, S P Tyagi, FH Major and now Air Chief Marshal P V Naik has emphasised that technology is the order of the day and nothing but the best has to be acquired both in terms of sturdy and speedy platforms as well as the onboard technologies.

We had interviewed all these Chiefs of Staff during the course of their tenure. While some of the interviews are being reproduced in this Air Force Special edition, to recall what they had said and to help reappraise how far has the Indian Air Force came, it is our own assessment that the process to get rid of the outdated equipment has begun.

In a recent interview with India Strategic, Air Chief Marshal Naik said that he would consider a mission as successful only if a target threat was neutralised as designated and his pilots and aircraft returned safely.

Absolutely. That is the way it should be.

Air Chief Marshal Tyagi, who has inspired us to initiate an annual seminar on Air Power in the form of National Seminar on Aerospace Technologies (NSAT), told us three years ago that while dogfights would stay as long as man was up in the air, he would want the IAF pilots simply to cruise and be able to kill any threat far, far away: Far Beyond the Visual Sight. That's why, IAF is looking at technologies like the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) combat radars and missiles with long-range homing devices.

Air Chief Marshal Major said the same. With real-time connectivity and a multi-threat 360 degree spectrum, a pilot has to have at his command matching capability to finetune what he has to engage, kill and survive to be back for another successful mission.

We are reminded of what an Indian Army General told his officers and men in the 1971 War: Do NOT Lose and Do NOT Die.

It applies for all officers and men of our valiant Armed Forces. They are brave people; they deserve the best of the technologies to build an edge over any potential adversary and be able to punish him if he chooses to attack India.

As for the Indian Air Force, it is relevant to know where we are.

Despite the delays, it is our assessment that at least the process towards IAF Transformation has begun. Our assessment, we stress, is based on what the Chiefs of Staff have told us and what we independently guess or gather.

The strength of IAF combat and transport aircraft has been depleting. But to make up for it, the IAF had already ordered 40 SU 30 MKIs directly from Russia to take the number to 230. More than 50 are being discussed now, and the Ministry of Defence is considering the IAF request favourably.

We also understand, reliably, that the number of the Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCAs) that the IAF is looking for now from among six contenders, could actually go up to not just around 200 but 300 or so.

Of course, a final decision would be taken based on the IAF’s own experience after the aircraft are inducted. Right now, the tender is out for 126 of these aircraft with an option for another 63.

Depending upon the technologies like AESA, FLIR, BVR missiles and the availability of sources codes, IAF’s top brass would take the relevant decision at the relevant time.

Admittedly, there have been delays but the system is moving and the government is fully supporting the IAF transformation and adequate budgetary provisions are being made.

The trials for the MRCA has already begun, and according to industry reports, half of the six contenders, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Dassault have already gone through the scheduled tests of their respective F 18, F 16 and Rafale aircraft in India. At the time of going to the press, the Russians were reportedly landing in Bangalore with their Mig 35.

The remaining two, Eurofighter and Gripen, would be coming in later.

Weapon and some other combat related tests would also be held in the countries of their origin or as designated.

Air Chief Marshal Naik told India Strategic that whether it is for the basic or advanced trainers, the combat jets or transporters or helicopters, IAF wants only the best of the aircraft, systems, sensors and onboard technologies.

“Technology is the order of the day.”

Air Chief Marshal Naik said that IAF was looking at more midair refuelers, more AWACS, UAVs and later UCAVs, and that all the IAF assets would be connected with one another. “The process is already on.”

As for more AWACS, it is clear that they would not be based on the IL 76 platforms. Although the aircraft, with new engines, are still capable, they do have structural problems and whatever were there in the market anyway, have been purchased by China.

Russia is yet to restart production of IL 76 design-based aircraft after the demise of the Soviet Union.

The Air Chief has already stated that the IAF has requested the Ministry of Defence for 10 Boeing C 17 Globemasters from the US under a government-to-government Foreign Military Sales Programme, and that ten more could be ordered later to build a viable strategic airlift capability for such a large country as India.

IAF is also set to exercise its option for six more C 130J Hercules aircraft for special operations. Indications are that as the IAF’s AN 32s are old, despite being refurbished under an agreement with Ukraine now, the requirement for C 130Js is bound to increase.

India and Russia are bound by an agreement to jointly produce the Multi Role Transport Aircraft (MTA) but it would be a while before the project matures.

However, the two countries are likely to renew a ten-year old defence agreement for another similar period, and the Indian Air Force to start taking delivery of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) from 2017.

Most of the development work in this regard has already been done by Russia, although India’s HAL would have some element in coproduction.

All the Indian FGFAs would be two-seater aircraft, with one of the pilots being responsible for weapons to destroy any enemies.

Air Chief Marshal Naik said that the emphasis is on 5th generation combat technologies on most of the IAF aircraft, be in with composite materials on the platforms or the onboard systems.

And as the life of the aircraft has to be long, each of these aircraft of systsem has to be capable of periodic technology insertion.