Depleting fighting strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is a reality and now a top commander has pointed out that the force does not have the wherewithal at present to fight against both Pakistan and China if the need arises. In worrying admission Air Marshal BS Dhanoa, the IAF Vice-Chief, on Thursday said they don't have enough warplanes to tackle the scenario of two-front war.
"Our numbers are not adequate to fully execute an air campaign in a two front scenario. Probability of a two front scenario is an appreciation which you need to do. But are the numbers adequate? No. The squadrons are winding down," the officer, who commanded a fighter squadron during the Kargil war in 1999 and himself flew numerous night-strike missions in the mountainous terrain, said while explaining that at present the IAF has just 33 fighter squadrons whereas the force needed 42.
The two-front war scenario is known in the IAF as Contingency-III. With the IAF phasing out its old and trusted fighter the MiG-21 along with MiG-27 which at present account for 14 squadrons, the force needs a massive infusion of new warplanes. With the induction of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the squadron strength will increase to 34.
Air Marshal Dhanoa added that IAF's strength was very much on the government's agenda. "We have conveyed our concerns to the government. Government is seized of this problem and the reason why the government signed the 36 aircraft (Rafale) on G2G basis is because of urgency that they felt because of the depletion in squadron numbers," the officer added.
Asked if there is a requirement for more Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) type aircraft besides the 36 Rafales, he said, "There are various avenues that are being explored. There is a requirement for us to buy a MMRCA class aircraft more than the 36 numbers that we have signed. Which platform may come in, that is something between us and the government. We will have to take a call," he said while giving details of an IAF exercise Iron Fist-2016 on March 18 at Pokhran.
India is already in advanced stage of talks with France to supply 36 Rafale fighters. IAF is already inducting more twinjet multirole air superiority Su-30 MKI fighters to ensure technological superiority over its adversaries.
While top end fighters like Su-30 MKI are already in service, the numbers are not enough as Tejas is yet to enter into service and prove its battle readiness. The other fighters in the IAF armoury include the Russian MiG-29 and the French Mirage 2000 and Jaguars.
The IAF will require 39 combat aircraft units to meet the challenge of fighting a war simultaneously on the Pakistan and China fronts but it has only 34 squadrons.
Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence was informed more than two years ago that the IAF needs a minimum of 39 fighter squadrons at any time to take on challenges of a two-front war scenario. Each squadron consists of about 18 warplanes.
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