IAF Redefining Maritime Power Projection with Advanced Fighters and Strategic Island Bases

In a strategic shift, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is enhancing its maritime capabilities by leveraging advanced fighter aircraft and fortified island bases.

This innovative approach aims to provide a more cost-effective and secure alternative to traditional aircraft carriers while maintaining a robust maritime defence posture.

Upgraded SEPECAT Jaguar IM/IS: A Formidable Maritime Strike Asset​

The IAF's SEPECAT Jaguar IM/IS fleet, armed with AGM-84L Block II Harpoon missiles and equipped with Israel Aerospace Industries' Elta EL/M-2052/2060 AESA radar, has emerged as a formidable maritime strike asset.

The Harpoon missile's precision and destructive power, combined with the advanced radar system's enhanced detection capabilities, significantly bolster the Jaguars' effectiveness against naval targets.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI: Versatile Fighter with Enhanced Maritime Strike Potential​

The IAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, now armed with the BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile, have further solidified India's maritime strike capabilities.

This versatile fighter aircraft's enhanced strike potential ensures robust deterrence and a swift response to any threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The strategic deployment of Su-30MKI squadrons at Thanjavur on India's southeast coast underscores the IAF's commitment to safeguarding India's seacoasts and the wider IOR.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: An Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier​

In addition to advanced fighter aircraft, there is a growing emphasis on upgrading the military infrastructure of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Establishing an anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) maritime ‘exclusive zone’ around the archipelago would create a formidable deterrent against potential adversaries, particularly the Chinese navy.

The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, with its strategic location and potential to host a range of military assets, offers significant advantages as an unsinkable aircraft carrier. Upgrading its capabilities is viewed as a cost-effective alternative to maintaining an expensive and vulnerable aircraft carrier fleet.

A Pragmatic Approach to Maritime Defence​

This shift towards utilizing advanced fighter aircraft and fortified island bases reflects a pragmatic approach to maritime defence. Aircraft carriers, while symbolizing power projection, come with significant financial and operational costs. They are also susceptible to modern anti-ship missiles and other asymmetric threats.

Leveraging platforms like the Jaguar IM/IS and Su-30MKI fighters, coupled with enhanced capabilities on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, offers a more economical and secure solution.

These aircraft provide rapid response capabilities, extended strike ranges, and operational flexibility, ensuring a persistent and resilient maritime defence posture for India.

The effectiveness of the IAF's new approach will ultimately depend on continued investments in modernization, training, and technological advancements. However, the integration of advanced fighter aircraft and the strategic development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands represent a significant step towards ensuring India's maritime security in the 21st century.

 

[Baka007]

make everything in the island an underground facility so that even when the Chinese bomb there will be minimal damage
Even if the Chinese manage to capture the island we can just nuke em

 

[AK S]

A strategic shift may be necessary, prioritizing the development of island chain defences and nuclear attack submarines for robust sea denial capabilities, while potentially adjusting the procurement schedule for next-generation aircraft carriers.

 

[Andy S]

Carriers are required for offensive as well as securing distant trade routes. Both strategies should be followed simultaneously.

 

[Bharat]

make everything in the island an underground facility so that even when the Chinese bomb there will be minimal damage
Even if the Chinese manage to capture the island we can just nuke em

I wonder why India’s defense strategists never thought of this. I am so glad that now after reading this comment, they will have an epiphany 😇 (sarcasm)

 

[PKPRS]

Jaguar with heavy weight and old engine really?

 

[PKPRS]

make everything in the island an underground facility so that even when the Chinese bomb there will be minimal damage
Even if the Chinese manage to capture the island we can just nuke em

we can also make artificial Islands all along the Malacca Straight in India's EEZ, which measures 1,100 km in length, with the narrowest width being 2.8 km at the Phillips Channel,

 

[Anant]

we can also make artificial Islands all along the Malacca Straight in India's EEZ, which measures 1,100 km in length, with the narrowest width being 2.8 km at the Phillips Channel,

Except you cannot do that. India's EEZ ends quite a bit before the start of the Strait of Malacca. International waters aren't places where you cab legally build artificial islands; not to mention the fact that the Strait of Malacca is split between the EEZs of Indonesia and Malaysia.

 

[Anant]

The IAF is only talking about defensive power projection in the IOR. Moreover, if we do end up at war with someone, I'd much rather prefer the already-understrength IAF keep all its jets rather than divert a bunch to maritime operations.

Oh, and this claim made by Air Forces that "Navies don't need carriers since we can do everything they do" is extremely old, and dates back to the 1950s. It didn't hold true then, it hasn't held true since, and it most certainly doesn't hold true today.

 

[GMR]

Jaguar with heavy weight and old engine really?

Glorifying a platform 40 yrs. Old 😁

 

[Alok Gupta]

IAF is back to it's original fantasy of being the most powerful and relevant part of the defense forces. The SU-30 and Jaguar can protect from ships closer to the Indian coast line. However, if India wants to project power and be a regional leader, aircraft carriers are the logical tools for it. The aircrafts stationed on it have a further range to carry out offensive operations. The ACs can also be used for coercive diplomacy.

 

[Harsh]

Defense of homeland starts not at your shores (or land borders) but thousands of miles away. Even before it is a threat.

 

[PKPRS]

Glorifying a platform 40 yrs. Old 😁

when a retired pilot glorify's MIG-21 against EF Typhoon, glorifying Jaguar is nothing😁.

 

[PKPRS]

Except you cannot do that. India's EEZ ends quite a bit before the start of the Strait of Malacca. International waters aren't places where you cab legally build artificial islands; not to mention the fact that the Strait of Malacca is split between the EEZs of Indonesia and Malaysia.

With Cooperation with Indonesia we can virtually block Malacca Straight, between Indira point in Nicobar island and Indonesia's Sabang in Banda Aceh North Sumatra Island there is only 106 Nautical miles which belong to both India and Indonesia.

 

[Anant]

With Cooperation with Indonesia we can virtually block Malacca Straight, between Indira point in Nicobar island and Indonesia's Sabang in Banda Aceh North Sumatra Island there is only 106 Nautical miles which belong to both India and Indonesia.

Keyword being "cooperation". You can't just block off one of the most important maritime trade routes in the world.

 

[PKPRS]

Keyword being "cooperation". You can't just block off one of the most important maritime trade routes in the world.

Virtually during emergency, even during peace time, that's why Chinese are using Sunda straight betwenn Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands to Sri Lanka and to Arabian sea.

 

[amerjit johal]

IAF is back to it's original fantasy of being the most powerful and relevant part of the defense forces. The SU-30 and Jaguar can protect from ships closer to the Indian coast line. However, if India wants to project power and be a regional leader, aircraft carriers are the logical tools for it. The aircrafts stationed on it have a further range to carry out offensive operations. The ACs can also be used for coercive diplomacy.

I agree with your sentiment - but
"The ACs can also be used for coercive diplomacy"
Seriously - who - Maldives?

 

[NSR]

Thumbs down to IAF strategy, 100% in wrong.
IAF, keep your own fanny clean and concentrate on LAC and LoC only.

Thumbs up to Indian Navy strategy of 3 Aircraft Carriers and basing of Naval Fighters at Andaman/Nicobar and Lakshadweep and Mauritius Reunion island, etc foor fixed and regional power projection.
3 A/Cs allows India to deploy two A/Cs on each side for movable power projections.
All maritime sedurity and defense issues should be handled by Indian Navy only.
This strategy will be real power projection.

 

[Bhishma]

we can also make artificial Islands all along the Malacca Straight in India's EEZ, which measures 1,100 km in length, with the narrowest width being 2.8 km at the Phillips Channel,

We dont need to - we can control the exit points of Malacca straits in the Andaman sea which is our EEZ. But why ? Any enemy ship entering Malacca straits is like battle of thermopylae. We have a variety of options to decimate every fking enemy ship entering there. Chinese really have no game in the Indian Ocean.

 

[Bhishma]

Virtually during emergency, even during peace time, that's why Chinese are using Sunda straight betwenn Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands to Sri Lanka and to Arabian sea.

Good point, incidentally the Cholas used that channel and pincered the Sri Vijaya kingdom by attacking from both north and south.

 

[SK]

Indian-Govt should encourage (pressure) both IAF & IN to form a JV to invest in:-

• TEDBF (ORCA)
• AMCA

This will boost the capability of both forces, Logistical synergy, India defence & Aerospace industr.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

A strategic shift may be necessary, prioritizing the development of island chain defences and nuclear attack submarines for robust sea denial capabilities, while potentially adjusting the procurement schedule for next-generation aircraft carriers.

How can you tackle a Chinese super aircraft carrier coming from Singapore into Indian Ocean ? Every Navy can travel in international waters & let say when tensions are high between both nations , China brought a super carrier from the strait of Singapore into Indian Ocean and it is now just 500km away from Thiruvananthapuram somewhere between andaman islands and Indian mainland international international waters , you can't take any actions and war breaks out or china takes first action and sends 4 FC-31 through its carrier to bomb Indian naval bases , then what will you do ?

You need aircraft carriers to combat these jets , submarines can't shoot these jets , and Indian submarines doesn't come with VLS , we can only hit sea vessels or ground.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to develop both if it wants a robust and effective safe Indian Ocean. Developing islands will be a first line of defence and attack for the Andaman and Nicobar islands which is strategically placed next to the malacca strait where every shipping lane passes. This is a major choke point and we can immediately keep a SAM defence shield to protect the island from incoming missiles and the Brahmos coastal batteries that can sink major naval ships so we can control what enters the Indian Ocean from the east. We also have the Lakshadweep island to the west of India which can play a similar role on what enters the Indian Ocean from the west. At the same time we need to have at least 1 squadron of Sukhoi jet on each island capable to launch a Brahmos missile as a maritime strike force if needed.

Developing more carriers is also important because it allows us to move to places where there are no Indian islands like in the South China Sea. Also having a carrier strike force will have a number of destroyers, frigates, corvette and submarines so that it has a wide variety of weapons it can use to strike at any enemy ships or fleet if needed.

 

[AK S]

How can you tackle a Chinese super aircraft carrier coming from Singapore into Indian Ocean ? Every Navy can travel in international waters & let say when tensions are high between both nations , China brought a super carrier from the strait of Singapore into Indian Ocean and it is now just 500km away from Thiruvananthapuram somewhere between andaman islands and Indian mainland international international waters , you can't take any actions and war breaks out or china takes first action and sends 4 FC-31 through its carrier to bomb Indian naval bases , then what will you do ?

You need aircraft carriers to combat these jets , submarines can't shoot these jets , and Indian submarines doesn't come with VLS , we can only hit sea vessels or ground.

It is highly improbable that a Chinese aircraft carrier strike group could successfully transit the Strait of Malacca and sustain operations in the Indian Ocean. The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) faces significant challenges, including a relatively inexperienced carrier air wing and command structure, as well as naval platforms primarily based on foreign designs. Operating over 4,000 kilometers from home waters, the PLAN would likely encounter substantial logistical and operational difficulties, raising questions about their long-term survivability in a high-intensity conflict.

 

[PKS]

One hopes that the upcoming 'theatre Commands' remain devoid of such stupidity, sorry!

 

[Anant]

Virtually during emergency, even during peace time, that's why Chinese are using Sunda straight betwenn Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands to Sri Lanka and to Arabian sea.

It is one thing to sail through a Strait, and it is another thing to block it off. In times of war, we can, with suitable cooperation, enact a quarantine of sorts on the Straits of Malacca. However, this would be through military ships and aircraft screening the Strait, and not by building artificial Islands.

 

[vinod nair]

When we have adversaries like ours then we should adopt multipronged approach. And when indigenous solution what's the issue atleast 4 AC is must. Yes IAF should be their also at forefron but not alone

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

It is highly improbable that a Chinese aircraft carrier strike group could successfully transit the Strait of Malacca and sustain operations in the Indian Ocean. The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) faces significant challenges, including a relatively inexperienced carrier air wing and command structure, as well as naval platforms primarily based on foreign designs. Operating over 4,000 kilometers from home waters, the PLAN would likely encounter substantial logistical and operational difficulties, raising questions about their long-term survivability in a high-intensity conflict.

A more accurate assessment would focus on the challenges the PLAN might face in maximizing the combat effectiveness of their carrier strike group. Coordinating complex flight operations, including simultaneous launches and recoveries, as well as efficient use of the carrier's elevators and weapon systems, would likely present significant hurdles for a relatively inexperienced carrier air wing and command structure.

Additionally, the PLAN's logistical capabilities in sustaining prolonged operations far from home waters remain untested. Maintaining complex naval platforms and ensuring adequate resupply of fuel, munitions, and spare parts pose considerable challenges, especially in a contested environment.

While basic seamanship would not be an issue, the PLAN's ability to fully leverage its carrier strike group's potential in a high-intensity conflict remains a valid concern.