The Indian Air Force (IAF) is bracing up against growing armies of China and Pakistan with upgraded tactics and state-of-the-art equipments. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary on Tuesday revealed the strategic plans of the Indian Air Force. He said that in the next seven to eight years, fighter planes, helicopters, missiles and radars worth Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh crore will be inducted in the IAF.
As per the information, the IAF is levelling up its millitary strength to monitor situation along the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Intelligence, Surveillance and Espionage (ISR) will be the tatctic the army will use for monitoring.
China has significantly expanded its air bases facing India and deployed a network of radars and surface-to-air guided weapons (SAGW) since the military confrontation in eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020.
To meet every eventuality, the IAF has also deployed SAGWs and radars including Low Level Transportable Radars (LLTRs) along the LAC. Now, they are looking for mountain radar to increase their reach into enemy territory.
ACM Choudhary highlighted that Pakistan is now producing Chinese JF-17 ‘Thunder’ multi-purpose fighter aircraft. It is also adding 25 advanced J-10C jets.
India’s shopping worth Rs 3 lakh crore
Despite these challenges, ACM Choudhary expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Plans are afoot to enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force with contracts worth Rs 1. 72 lakh crore next year.
This includes 83 fighter jets that were ordered under contract with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) in February 2021.
Apart from this, 97 more Tejas Mark-1A fighter planes will also be purchased. The acquisition of 180 Tejas Mark-1A jets at a cost of Rs 1.2 lakh crore is aimed at reducing the number of fighter squadrons, which currently stands at 31, while at least 42 are required. The remaining 60 MiG-21 ‘Bison’ are scheduled to be retired by 2025.
As part of the plan, the Indian Air Force will also purchase 156 ‘Prachanda’ light combat helicopters worth Rs 45,000 crore. They are capable of carrying out offensive operations in high altitude areas such as Siachen glacier and eastern Ladakh.
In addition, the medium-range surface-to-air missile system “MR-SAM”, the new generation Akash missile fleet and the Pralay ballistic missile are also being purchased.
On the other hand, Air Force high power radar and five squadron air defense missiles of long range (250 km) are also being included. Additionally, 84 of the 260 Russian-origin Sukhoi-MKI fighter aircraft are continuing to be upgraded with indigenously designed weapons and electronic warfare systems.
This contract was delayed due to the war in Ukraine
After delays caused by the war in Ukraine, the Air Force is expected to receive the remaining two squadrons of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missiles next year under the fifth, $43 billion contract signed with Russia in 2018.