IAF Streamlining Fighter Jet Fleet for Enhanced Efficiency, Aims All-Indigenous by 2070

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is embarking on an ambitious transformation, set to revolutionize its fleet and bolster its domestic aerospace capabilities.

Over the next two decades, the IAF plans to streamline its diverse fleet, phasing out older models like the MiG-21 and Mirage-2000. These will be replaced by a core group of five fighter jets, with a heavy emphasis on domestically produced aircraft.

The Tejas MkII and Mk1A, both developed in India, are expected to become the backbone of the IAF, making up approximately 50% of the future fleet. This move not only simplifies logistics and training but also signals a significant step towards self-reliance in defense production.

Adding to this domestic dominance, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a 5th generation fighter jet currently under development, is slated to join the ranks by 2040. With the AMCA, the IAF projects that nearly 60% of its fighter jets will be made in India.

While the Tejas and AMCA take center stage, the Rafale and Su-30MKI will continue to play crucial roles, remaining operational until at least 2070. Their eventual replacements are envisioned to be part of the next generation of Indian-made fighter jets.

The IAF's long-term vision extends even further, with the goal of achieving a 100% indigenous fighter jet fleet by 2070-80. This ambitious target underscores India's growing prowess in aerospace engineering and its commitment to self-sufficiency in defense.

This transformative plan is a testament to the IAF's determination to modernize and strengthen its capabilities, ensuring its position as a formidable force in the skies for decades to come.

 

[GMR]

with HAL as the ONLY OEM of fighters!!!!! Best of luck on IAF's very very optimistic roadmap of 20 yrs.

 

[Bharat007]

Govt. should prioritise Tejas Mk2 and AMCA, Submarine, MBT and Zorawar, among mega projects.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

I thought we had to his plan atleast 10 years ago. This inevitable change was delayed only because of our failure in execution of plans. Hopefully we will get our act together by the end of 2035.

 

[Pramkumar]

IAF should work on ORCA as replacement for Su30mki with Kaveri engine by 2050 itself

 

[Anant]

IAF should work on ORCA as replacement for Su30mki with Kaveri engine by 2050 itself

A 4.5th generation fighter with two underpowered engines to enter service by 2050? Nice joke.

 

[SK]

IAF expects to become 100% with MRFA?

I hope that Indian-Govt will encourage (pressure) both IAF & IN to establish a JV to invest in:-

1. AMCA
2. TEDBF (ORCA)

Alongside Tejas-Mk2, the above 2 Aircraft will insure commonality of engines, weapons & avionics to boost Logistical synergy as well as Indian defence & Aerospace industry.

Neither IAF nor IN has the Budget to buy large number of foreign Aircraft.

Or else even in year 2050, Indian Aerospace industry won't reach anywhere.

Those who blame PSUs should realize that neither ATAGS nor Kalyani Group's other Artillery system have been bought by IA, only foreign Equipment seems to be suitable for them.

 

[tahir]

China-Paksitan should attack India, and convert it into small pieces of countries.

 

[bonito]

MRFA will bring different breed. That way we still have 3 imported fleets in 2040

 

[Sandeep]

China-Paksitan should attack India, and convert it into small pieces of countries.

How dum are you? Pakistan or China can't attack India at all because we have nuclear weapons which can destroy their entire country.

 

[Kira]

I believe in general,it's too immature to comment on whether IAF will even have a fighter fleet by 2070-80,given the surge in AI usage.
Also,due to spares issues and upgrade limitations,the MKI is likely to face early retirement by 2040 or so.
The only way IAF can ensure new jet supplies from then onwards would be from private sources be it from foreign or domestic manufacturers.

 

[Sandeep]

This seems like a straightforward plan but it will change several times before we even reach 2070. While the focus should be on indigenous fighters the unfortunate reality is that maintaining the Rafale and Sukhoi fleet will be very expensive as we will still have to rely on foreign expensive imports, weapons and upgrades until they are phased out completely which will eat into the air force budget and reduce the number of indigenous jet we would like to have for a while. While we have a plan to upgrade the Sukhoi jets which should be implemented right now whether we will develop one for the Rafale jets should be looked into as soon as possible.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

China has infused 10s of billion dollars in indigenous jer engine programs. It's for both military and civilian purpose. We should remember big countries do not like if other countries overtake or come near their GDP. Once our GDP reaches 10 Trillion we will also face similar treatment as China is getting from West for bleeding edge tech. We should put for efforts. Tie up may work in short term. Just looking for tie up won't help much in the longer run.

 

[Bharat007]

China has infused 10s of billion dollars in indigenous jer engine programs. It's for both military and civilian purpose. We should remember big countries do not like if other countries overtake or come near their GDP. Once our GDP reaches 10 Trillion we will also face similar treatment as China is getting from West for bleeding edge tech. We should put for efforts. Tie up may work in short term. Just looking for tie up won't help much in the longer run.

Their defense budget dwarfs that of India's. Whereas, most of our defense budget are likely ending up as pensioners & salaries, etc.

 

[Akshat]

IAF expects to become 100% with MRFA?

I hope that Indian-Govt will encourage (pressure) both IAF & IN to establish a JV to invest in:-

1. AMCA
2. TEDBF (ORCA)

Alongside Tejas-Mk2, the above 2 Aircraft will insure commonality of engines, weapons & avionics to boost Logistical synergy as well as Indian defence & Aerospace industry.

Neither IAF nor IN has the Budget to buy large number of foreign Aircraft.

Or else even in year 2050, Indian Aerospace industry won't reach anywhere.

Those who blame PSUs should realize that neither ATAGS nor Kalyani Group's other Artillery system have been bought by IA, only foreign Equipment seems to be suitable for them.

I hope the GoI doesn’t put any such force on our forces. Inducting different types of planes, which the forces themselves don’t want or need, will create massive logistics leakages. Better to make them buy whatever they need in larger numbers.

As for DPSUs, remember that the forces do buy armored vehicles, drones etc. from the private sector when DRDO is not involved. The problem comes when DRDO interferes and ruins the product. Even then our forces make massive concessions and buy products at super inflated prices.

 

[Anant]

How dum are you? Pakistan or China can't attack India at all because we have nuclear weapons which can destroy their entire country.

A conventional war that only seeks to humiliate or get a settlement from the other side without attacking major population centres or invading large swathes of territory is very possible. Such a conflict wouldn't go nuclear easily either.

 

[Akshat]

How dum are you? Pakistan or China can't attack India at all because we have nuclear weapons which can destroy their entire country.

How dum are you? You can’t use nukes at the drop of the hat. Say, if China attacks and takes only Sikkim, we won’t be going nuclear. They can repeat this a dozen times. We need our weapons fast and DPSUs have squarely failed at that.

 

[Muraleedharan Nair]

Don't get carried away! Fighter jets and armaments technology are so complex even the US and European powers closely co-operate in product development. There's no such thing as 100% indigenous in this field

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

Keeping two front war scenario in mind India need 1200+ fighters 200+ bombers and 2000+ unmanned fighters this strength must be achieved before 2050 !

 

[Sandeep]

How dum are you? You can’t use nukes at the drop of the hat. Say, if China attacks and takes only Sikkim, we won’t be going nuclear. They can repeat this a dozen times. We need our weapons fast and DPSUs have squarely failed at that.

Of course we can use nukes if China goes to war and make a serious invasion. Also just threatening to use nukes will set alarm bells ringing with the USA, Europe and Russia which will put an immense amount of diplomatic pressure on China.

Obviously we won’t use nukes straight away because it’s impossible for China to make a serious invasion without losing thousands of their troops and India is already dug in very well so that scenario is unlikely. That would give China no advantage at all.

 

[Sandeep]

A conventional war that only seeks to humiliate or get a settlement from the other side without attacking major population centres or invading large swathes of territory is very possible. Such a conflict wouldn't go nuclear easily either.

No it wouldn’t. China would pay a very high price if they tried to as they would lose thousands of troops and equipment. India is dug in very well across the entire border now and with infrastructure improvements it will improve our capabilities even more so losing that many people will bring no advantage to China but will weaken it even more against the other powers.

The nuclear option is only as a last resort but threatening to use them and escalating the war will certainly worry the rest of the world. That will bring a huge amount of diplomatic pressure from the world on China as well so it can work to our advantage.

 

[Akshat]

Of course we can use nukes if China goes to war and make a serious invasion. Also just threatening to use nukes will set alarm bells ringing with the USA, Europe and Russia which will put an immense amount of diplomatic pressure on China.

Obviously we won’t use nukes straight away because it’s impossible for China to make a serious invasion without losing thousands of their troops and India is already dug in very well so that scenario is unlikely. That would give China no advantage at all.

A surprise quick attack can let us lose significant amounts of land. Then if we threaten to use nukes, Us etc. will ask us both to do a ceasefire, making us lose land. If we don’t threaten, we will keep losing land. So doing a significant invasion without the use of nukes is highly possible.

 

[vasu gali]

except US, all other leading countries are collaborating with other countries for manufacturing Fighter planes. China steals/ copies technology. Russia is lagging behind. So it would be better if India also collaborates with global leaders like UK, FRANCE Or even SWEDEN and acquire 5th/ 6th gen planes in the larger interest of the nation rather than being humilitated like in 1962

 

[Pink Panther]

with HAL as the ONLY OEM of fighters!!!!! Best of luck on IAF's very very optimistic roadmap of 20 yrs.

They should rather reduce foreign fighter fleet by cancelling MRFA and buying 300-500 local jets.

 

[Pink Panther]

Govt. should prioritise Tejas Mk2 and AMCA, Submarine, MBT and Zorawar, among mega projects.

and cancel MRFA.