IAF's Squadrons May Dip Below 28 Soon, Expert Urges Two More Rafale Squadrons & Fast-Tracked Tejas Mk1A & MRFA Deal

India's air power is facing a critical juncture as the Indian Air Force (IAF) grapples with a dwindling number of fighter squadrons.

Aviation historian and analyst Angad Singh, in a recent interview with ThePrint, warned that the IAF's squadron strength is projected to fall below 30 and could even dip to 28 soon if urgent measures are not taken.

This decline would bring the IAF to its lowest force level since the post-1965 era, raising serious concerns about India's air defence capabilities.

Singh stressed the urgent need for a two-pronged approach to address this crisis. First, he advocated for the immediate procurement of two additional Rafale squadrons.

The Rafale, a French-made multirole fighter jet, has already proven its worth in the IAF, demonstrating its adaptability and combat effectiveness in diverse operational environments. Acquiring more Rafales off the shelf would provide a rapid boost to the IAF's combat readiness.

"The Rafale has already proven its strategic value in the IAF's arsenal," Singh stated. "Increasing its presence would not only bridge a gap in our squadron numbers but would also strengthen our combat readiness."

Secondly, Singh emphasized the importance of accelerating India's domestic fighter jet programs. He called for increased production of the HAL Tejas Mk1A, a light combat aircraft developed indigenously.

While the Tejas is expected to play a crucial role in modernizing the IAF, its current production rate needs to be significantly ramped up to meet the IAF's goal of a 42-squadron force.

Furthermore, Singh highlighted the critical need to expedite the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. This program aims to procure 114 multi-role fighter jets, which would significantly enhance the IAF's capabilities. However, delays in finalizing the MRFA tender have hampered the IAF's modernization plans.

Singh warned that the projected decline in squadron strength poses a serious risk to India's ability to effectively respond to threats on two fronts, particularly from China and Pakistan. With fewer squadrons, the IAF would be stretched thin, potentially compromising its operational effectiveness.

"If we don't act now, we could see a situation where our fleet strength significantly hinders our strategic posture," Singh cautioned. "A decline to 28 squadrons puts a significant operational load on each squadron, stretching our resources thinner than ever before."

To ensure the IAF can maintain its combat edge, Singh recommended a combination of immediate Rafale acquisition for short-term needs and a long-term focus on boosting domestic production of the Tejas and expediting the MRFA deal. This dual approach would enable the IAF to replace its aging aircraft with modern, versatile fighters, safeguarding India's air superiority for years to come.

 

[Parthasarathi DasGupta]

Even if Rafale ordered toda , it won't be avaliable before 2029 atleast. The best option is buying closed down F18's production line to start production Within a year. GE F 414 will be avaliable if America wishes.

 

[Akshat]

Even if Rafale ordered toda , it won't be avaliable before 2029 atleast. The best option is buying closed down F18's production line to start production Within a year. GE F 414 will be avaliable if America wishes.

Rafale, if ordered today, will be available in November 2028. They still promise a 36 month delivery and so far they haven’t defaulted on any export deliveries. Even when they are short by a plane or 2 in any year (which has only happened once till now), the French Air Force allowed them to export and took the hit.

As for F18, it failed the Air Force trials and lost on the price front in the Navy tender. So we surely don’t want an inferior plane at a much higher price.

 

[Hugo Sanchez]

Looks like our armed forces reaping the benefits of agneeveer on the technological and equipment front.

 

[sanket]

Even if Rafale ordered toda , it won't be avaliable before 2029 atleast. The best option is buying closed down F18's production line to start production Within a year. GE F 414 will be avaliable if America wishes.

Rafale ordering not from France. There are two options: First, fast-tracking MRFA & second, scrapping MRFA & ordering Rafale under Make in India, if Dassault agrees for local assembly line with local private players & ecosystem. First Rafale can be delivered within 4 to 5 years with 24 production rate & allowing export of Rafale from this plant will not only meet domestic needs but also earn foreign exchange. Bharat wants 114 fighter jets to be locally manufactured & not imported jets under MRFA. There is no point in F-18 to be produced within a year; it will take almost 3 years to deliver the first F-18 even after it is ordered today. Second, F-18 has to meet parameters set by IAF. Without evaluation, how directly will F-18 be ordered? On what basis? Third, F-18 is an old design. IAF wants fighter jets for the next 40 to 50 years.

 

[Shiva]

he he.
No immediate action is needed, at least for next 30 years!!!

of course, immediate action is needed for the foreign company lobbying personnel to exploit more Indian public tax money.

HAL is alreday producing 500 AL-31FP engines and life time of existing Su-30 will increase to 30 more years. Super Sukoid conversion is already well tested. Any improvements in electronics related things anyhow can be done on these.
So, we will be having a formiddble thousands of Su-30MKII/Super Sukoi 4.5++ Gen.
See, the quantity. Thousands of aircrafts.

It is very easy to handle either 5th Gen or 6th Gen rival aircraft with a sysmatic plan of 3 or 4 4.5Gen aircraft. Also, our advanced technologies in radars, will pave way farther.

If urgency is needed to India, then it is only on the critical technology of mettallurgy to produce the critical components we were importing from GE and Rosonbo... of Russia for the wider metallic sheets used in several engines.

Instead of focussing on ToT or parallel development on these, spending on additional imports is a foolish decision.

More over, already HAL has technology know-how and if requried, then can also develop 2000 or 3000 more Super Sukois, incase India not become self sufficient in engine technology.

Moreover,
if Tejas and AMCA designs are modified and replaced with AL-31FP engine along with increase in internal fuel capacity by 100kg more then the resultant product will have far better performance than the exiting planned Tejas and AMCA variants in terms of maneurability, speed, range. There will be little compromise on RCS but it can be mitigated by making additional material surroundign engines, by taking inputs from AL-5xFP engine arrangements.

So, boasting that, there is emergency kind of urgent requiement is a complete non sense and misleading...

 

[Pramkumar]

The only solution is Kaveri based twin engine fighter

 

[Utopian]

Use that money to buy engine tech immediately off shelf Buy ATAGS buy more sophisticated radars..

 

[Chinese eater]

Rafale ordering not from France. There are two options: First, fast-tracking MRFA & second, scrapping MRFA & ordering Rafale under Make in India, if Dassault agrees for local assembly line with local private players & ecosystem. First Rafale can be delivered within 4 to 5 years with 24 production rate & allowing export of Rafale from this plant will not only meet domestic needs but also earn foreign exchange. Bharat wants 114 fighter jets to be locally manufactured & not imported jets under MRFA. There is no point in F-18 to be produced within a year; it will take almost 3 years to deliver the first F-18 even after it is ordered today. Second, F-18 has to meet parameters set by IAF. Without evaluation, how directly will F-18 be ordered? On what basis? Third, F-18 is an old design. IAF wants fighter jets for the next 40 to 50 years.

Indian Navy had shortlisted FA18 super hornet and Rafale for testing and Rafale was selected among the two. Rafale and FA18 would be L1 or L2 bidder. Its upto government what they know is the best for us. American fighter jets are a trap. There would be so much strategic actions if India fly american fighters. Russia would open the doors for Pakistan flying Su57 or Su35 would you like that?

 

[Chinese eater]

In the first 36 Rafale purchase contract. Its was condition to set up make in India assembly plant.

AMRO set up

technical assistance in Kaveri

30% of the contract value was to be employed back into Indian market.

France didn't meet terms and conditions for Rafale Dassault was also fined for not obliging. That's the reason govt didn't follow up with next order and hesitate for further purchase.

 

[INDIAN]

Why we this to happen in first place , are our defense planers are sleeping, indigenous programs all are running late, depending upon foreign engine and other parts. We are not buying from outside and our ingenious programs are also nowhere complete.
AMCA is still in drawing board.