- Views: 178
- Replies: 2
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is implementing a strategic plan to enhance its combat fleet by inducting additional Dassault Rafale and indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
This move is designed to increase its squadron strength and provide the operational flexibility needed to proceed with a critical upgrade for its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet, the current backbone of India's air power.
The Su-30MKI, a versatile twin-engine fighter, constitutes the largest part of the IAF's combat assets, with over 270 aircraft in service.
While formidable, the earliest batches of these jets, which entered service in the early 2000s, are now technologically dated. Their avionics and radar systems are becoming obsolete, diminishing their effectiveness against modern aerial threats in the region, such as China's J-20 and Pakistan's newer JF-17 Block III fighters.
A significant challenge for the IAF is its current squadron numbers, which stand at around 31, well below the sanctioned strength of 42 required to manage a two-front scenario. The ongoing retirement of older aircraft like the MiG-21s has placed immense operational strain on the Su-30MKI fleet.
This leaves little room to ground a significant number of these aircraft for the extended periods required for comprehensive modernization without compromising national air defence readiness.
To bridge this capability gap, the IAF is focused on accelerating the induction of both foreign and domestically produced aircraft by 2030.
Following the successful integration of 36 Rafale jets acquired in 2020, the IAF is pursuing the acquisition of 114 more fighters under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program.
The Rafale is equipped with advanced systems like the RBE2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles, making it ideal for high-stakes missions.
Simultaneously, the indigenous Tejas Mk1A program is set to significantly boost squadron numbers. After an initial order for 83 aircraft in 2021, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved the acquisition of an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A jets in 2024.
Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas Mk1A is a 4.5-generation fighter featuring an AESA radar, an advanced electronic warfare suite, and the capability to fire indigenous missiles like the Astra.
Its lower cost and accelerated production schedule make it a vital component in quickly building up the IAF's fleet size.
The successful induction of these new aircraft will create the necessary "breathing room" for the IAF to launch the "Super-30" upgrade program. This project, approved by the MoD, aims to modernize 84 of the oldest Su-30MKIs at an estimated cost of over ₹20,000 crore.
The Super-30 upgrades are extensive and include:
- Indigenous AESA Radar: Replacing the existing passive array radar with the locally developed 'Uttam' AESA radar for superior target detection and tracking.
- Modern Avionics: Installing new mission computers and cockpit displays to improve situational awareness and network-centric operations.
- Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite: Equipping the jets with new systems to counter and jam enemy radar and missile threats.
- New Weapon Systems: Integrating next-generation standoff weapons such as the BrahMos-NG supersonic cruise missile, Rudram anti-radiation missiles, and the Air LORA long-range ballistic missile.
This phased approach will ensure that India's primary air superiority fighter remains a potent and technologically relevant force for decades to come.
