IAF's Urgent Need: Closing the Air-to-Air Missile Gap with Pakistan

The 2019 aerial engagement between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) highlighted a critical vulnerability in India's Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) capabilities. This article analyzes the situation, its implications, and potential solutions.

The Range Disparity​

• Meteor's Limited Reach: While the IAF's Rafale aircraft possess the advanced Meteor missile (200 km range), their small numbers (36) significantly reduce its overall strategic impact.
• Pakistan's PL-15E Advantage: Pakistan has acquired the Chinese PL-15E BVRAAM, which out-ranges India's Astra Mk1 (110 km) on the Su-30MKI. While the PL-15E's exact capabilities are uncertain, it presents a tactical challenge.
• Astra MkI Shortages: The IAF's order of 250 Astra MkI missiles is insufficient for its 260+ Su-30MKI fleet and growing LCA-Tejas Mk1A force. A larger order (500-1000 missiles) is crucial.

The Widening Gap​

• Older Fighters at Risk: India's Mirage 2000 and MiG-29UPG fleets are equipped with the MICA and R-77, which are vastly outranged by both the PL-15E and AIM-120C. Modernization is urgently needed.
• Astra MkI Integration Uncertain: The planned integration of the Astra MkI with the MiG-29K fleet may not automatically translate to an upgrade for MiG-29UPGs due to inventory limitations.
• Astra MkII Delays: The Astra MkII, designed to exceed the PL-15E's range, is under development. However, its deployment is uncertain, leaving the IAF vulnerable.

Strategic Consequences​

• PAF's Tactical Advantage: Pakistan's large-scale adoption of the PL-15E on its JF-17 and J-10CE fleets grants them the ability to potentially engage the IAF at greater distances, forcing India into a defensive position.
• Looming Threat of PL-17: The potential availability of the export variant of the PL-17 – with an even longer range (250 km+) – could further worsen the situation.

Recommendations​

• Prioritize Astra MkI Production: Increase the Astra MkI order substantially to equip all frontline fighters.
• Address Legacy Fleets: Explore immediate upgrades for the Mirage 2000 and MiG-29UPG, either by integrating Astra MkI or procuring a modern Western BVRAAM.
• Fast-Track Astra MkII & MkIII: Accelerate the Astra MkII development program and lay the groundwork for the next-generation Astra MkIII to ensure a long-term technological edge.

Conclusion​

The growing disparity in BVRAAM capabilities between India and Pakistan is a critical concern for the IAF. Urgent action is needed in missile procurement and indigenous development to ensure the IAF retains air superiority and maintains its strategic strength in the region.

 

[Prashu Sam]

Perhaps you should stop your delusions! Pakistsn has got a ageing, unreliable, technological deficient Air Force. If India launched a first strike then at least 80% of jets will be destroyed before they can even fly. Most critical technology will be destroyed and Pakistan doesn't even have a proper indigenous jet as the junk fighter is mostly from China and other jets like the F16 have serviceability or technical issues.

They can't even afford to feed its own people or fuel their jets. India has already got powerful air defence coverage from the BMD, S400, MR-SAM, Akash, Spyder, QRSAM etc which makes it impossible for Pakistan to succeed in launching any air assault.

Pakistan doesn't have any good weapons that they can threaten India with and if we prepare for a attack very well then we can certainly take back POK. India can cut off POK with the rest of Pakistan by following the current border of Kashmir to trap and cut off their troops on the LOC forcing them to surrender.

It reminded me of Indian cricket Team which looks great on paper, impressive records when you take individuals. Experience, money, support everything you possible have and then In matches...well you know how we perform!!!!.

S-400, Rafale, MRSAM (Israel), SU-30MKI all looks great as individual platform, best in the world, when it comes to synergy, platform co ordinations, data link, dependency on peripheral systems, communication, Tech training of troops etc....Well just hope that all will work.

 

[Ajath]

When? by the time you stop gap with PAF they will have 5th gen aircraft. You are always chasing behind

Pakistan roams around with begging bowl. China is planning to sell a jet which its own Airforce is reluctant to induct. Where as India is pursuing its own 5th Gen fighter jet program. Dont you see the difference?

 

[Sandeep]

It reminded me of Indian cricket Team which looks great on paper, impressive records when you take individuals. Experience, money, support everything you possible have and then In matches...well you know how we perform!!!!.

S-400, Rafale, MRSAM (Israel), SU-30MKI all looks great as individual platform, best in the world, when it comes to synergy, platform co ordinations, data link, dependency on peripheral systems, communication, Tech training of troops etc....Well just hope that all will work.

Nobody ever thought that India will down a Pakistani F16 fighter jet with a Mig 21 despite being technologically deficient in its technology. That should prove to you that we do have the capability and advantage.

 

[ryan]

PAF not surviving 24 hrs is another dream. Most war games shows that PAF will sustain atleast 2 weeks war with India with significant damage to Indian targets (non-nuclear) and it will end into stalemate.

Where do you get such nice fancy dreams bro? Bhikharistaan ? really

 

[Avada kedavra]

Corruption is universal beyond the party lines, but being so dumb and Naive is the biggest problem and biggest cause of concern, when our both enemies are amassing all the defense tools and equipments at their disposal as if there is no tomorrow, guys here in our three Military arms are drooling for tips and running behind expensive foreign technologies, 99% of IAF is Ancient, if there is a war tomorrow, we will be broken within a day or two and will be loosing lot of lives and a large swath of land and our respect and reputation will go into dust bin, even tiny nations won’t respect us after that, the guys at IAF spent $10Bln to purchase only 36 4th gen jets and watches and are extremely satisfied and happy while our two enemies combined have 1000’s of 4th and 5th gen aircraft at their disposal.

Corrupt people are always dumb in areas where they should be smart.
Corruption is indias ultimate problem. Once that problem is solved other problems will either get solved or become less severe.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

First tell us how was the gap created, over a span of two decades when at time of Kargil war the IAF had BVR AAM , while PAF did not operate one. That leads us to believe DRDO like always screwed delivery timelines and conceded the advantage to PAF.

 

[Muraleedharan Nair]

One gets a feeling that Pakistan has always managed to choose armaments more wisely and get more bang for the buck than India.