IAF Urges Full-Funding and Private-Partnership for HAL's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), Aims to Bridge Capability Gaps Left by Retiring MiGs

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally proposed to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that a dedicated Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program receive full government funding and priority status.

This significant push draws inspiration from a recent initiative by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which focuses on teaming autonomous drone aircraft with manned fighter jets to enhance overall air combat capability.

The IAF views this strategy as essential for modernizing its fleet and addressing current operational requirements.

This strategic move occurs while the IAF contends with a fighter squadron deficit, operating with approximately 31 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42.

The need for modernization is further underscored by the impending retirement of older aircraft fleets, most notably the MiG-21s, with the final squadron expected to be phased out by 2025.

The development of CCAs is presented as a key opportunity to bolster India's air warfare strength, align with the national “Make in India” manufacturing initiative, and effectively manage regional security challenges.

The urgency behind the IAF's call for CCAs stems from existing pressures on its fleet strength. Delays in the delivery of indigenous aircraft, such as the Tejas Mk1A, have compounded the issue.

An order for 83 Tejas Mk1A jets, finalized in 2021, faced setbacks primarily due to engine supply issues, pushing deliveries beyond the initial February 2024 target.

To mitigate the shortfall from retiring MiGs, the IAF recently initiated a tender process worth approximately ₹650 billion (around $7.8 billion USD) for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A jets.

However, increasing production capacity remains a significant hurdle, although HAL aims to produce 24 jets annually from its third assembly line in Nashik by 2026.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sometimes referred to as 'Loyal Wingmen', offer a promising and cost-effective way to increase the IAF's combat mass.

Drawing lessons from concepts like HAL's CATS Warrior and a proposed larger variant (CATS Warrior II), these unmanned platforms are estimated to cost between $15–20 million per unit – roughly one-quarter the cost of an advanced manned fighter like the Rafale.

The IAF envisions acquiring a fleet of 200 to 300 CCAs. These autonomous drones would operate in conjunction with manned fighters such as the Su-30MKI and India's future fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), potentially undertaking high-risk surveillance or strike missions along sensitive border areas like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China or the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan.

In strong support of the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, the IAF's proposal emphasizes indigenous development for the CCA program.

India possesses existing experience in unmanned systems through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), notably with the ongoing Ghatak stealth UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) project, although this specific program awaits formal funding from the MoD. HAL has also independently funded its CATS Warrior demonstrator.

The IAF suggests leveraging these foundations, advocating for public-private partnerships to potentially accelerate the CCA development timeline.

HAL, with its work on the CATS Warrior and plans for the more advanced CATS Warrior II (which requires MoD support for timely progress), is identified as a key potential partner in this critical future program.

 

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[sanket]

Oh yes, Su-30 MKI with 260 number in IAF fleet with CATS Warrior will be biggest fleet to operate plus 180 Tejas MK1A. Nice concept, second will Dassault allow making changes and integration of CATS Warrior developed by HAL on 36 Rafale, or will it push their own drone in future? That will be important to see and what will they charge for that integration? Su-30 MKI will be done by HAL while for Rafale, help of Dassault has to be taken and Dassault is likely to be exposed here if they charge hefty amount.

 

[siva]

Let's give this project to a private sector company, who can make a very good stride within a short period.

DRDO and government organisations still have a work culture of more leisure hours and less working hours, more holidays and less contributing workdays.

 

[Leo red]

CATS? No way, please. CATS shows design similar to old pilot driving aircraft.

The era of unmanned aircraft looking like aircraft is over. There are lots of evolutions in drone technology. IAF finally needs to come out of dreams; let techies come in and program the best of requirements.

There are too many designs that are successful in recent combat. You don't need your pilots to carry drones with them. Drones can work independently, removing the needs of pilots and saving lives.

Now we will need more IT people in defence than before. South and East India side techies are best for it. But first, remove screwdriver people; otherwise, they will ruin everything in their ego. Also, they have aviation experience and not drone AI specific.

New drones should be suitable for mission prospective. They can be launched by any units, not necessarily the air force. The best is to be with the army and Navy. Mostly, mission forces should not be waiting to connect calls to the air force to send fighters when drones are already flying above them.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

The CATS warrior should have something special. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Iran-Israeli war have taught the world several lessons. Low-speed, low-altitude, non-stealthy drones are easily shot down by air defence systems. They are vulnerable to jamming. So we should keep in mind when developing drones. China has hundreds of 4th and 5th gen fighters, and they will easily shoot down these drones. Also, the Chinese have S-300 and S-400, which are powerful air defence systems. The drones should have come with advanced electronic warfare systems for survival.

 

[Sandeep]

The CATS drones is being 100% indigenously designed, developed and manufactured using Indian raw materials. So far HAL is only financing the prototype development but once it becomes a reliable and proven system then the air force and MoD can place orders in large numbers.

This will increase our firepower at a cheaper cost compared to buying a jet if we integrate this drone with every jet or with every other jet.

 

[Sambit Ranjan]

But the question is will the Govt wake Up from sleep after IAF's push for CCA. They are Sleeping since 2016 after deciding IAF requires 36 Rafales not 126 Rafales as proposed originally under MRFA!