Indian Air Force: News & Discussions

[Mr.Evil]

I have forecasted this very very long ago.

As time pass, Cry of Import AF Generals will become Lauder and Lauder. It will reach to its peak around at 2028.

I thought Army was the worst planner but Airforce hasn’t even started its planning

 

[sameer]

I thought Army was the worst planner but Airforce hasn’t even started its planning

So what we are seeing now is-
Required Squadron Numbers-42
Current-32
2025-30-the remaining Mig-21 will be retired as well.
If we take in timely deliveries for TEJASMK2 & AMCA then the squadron numbers are-
2030-30
2040-Still not reaching 42-as we have to retire Jaguars,mig29s&Mirages

CONCLUSION-WE ARE FUCKED!

Zero planning and Zero foresight are some of the hallmarks of IAF. Though I would also say the GOI babucracy also had a lesser role in screwing up IAF.

We're at a stage where we are literally negotiating for and buying old and used Mirage 2000-5's from that Islamist rogue state Qatar.

 

[Mr.Evil]

Zero planning and Zero foresight are some of the hallmarks of IAF. Though I would also say the GOI babucracy also had a lesser role in screwing up IAF.

We're at a stage where we are literally negotiating for and buying old and used Mirage 2000-5's from that Islamist rogue state Qatar.

The only one to blame for is IAF no one else maybe for tejas delays they can point fingers at GE &HAL but realistically you don’t have any plan B?

 

[sameer]

The only one to blame for is IAF no one else maybe for tejas delays they can point fingers at GE &HAL but realistically you don’t have any plan B?

GOI also had its role in muddying up the MRFA, Rafale should've been a done and dusted deal atleast a decade ago given that the domestic Rafale equivalent(MK2) was nowhere on the horizon at that point. Ofc Dassault didn't offer the best terms, but still we should've taken it. Beggars can't be choosers.

I mean at least now we would be having 100+ Rafales and filled up a few squadrons instead of begging countries like Qatar for old Mirages given that GE is also Fking us now.

 

[vin pahadi (kumauni)]

IAF current strength of aircrafts review:-
(A category) :- stone age warriors -
1:- mig 21 = 80 fighters approx.
= 4 squads (going to retire near 2026).
= it should be replaced by tejas mark 1A.
= my suggestion - use them as enemy sam distracter. when we going to infiltrate enemy air space.
2:- jaguar = 130 fighters.
= 6 squads (going to retire near 2032).
= it should be replaced by tejas mark 1A.
= not so relevant today. but can use in ladakh valley for ground attack nd it is still useful for navy operation though.
verdict = dont count them in real war. may be we can use jaguar in rare cases, but not in enemy aircraft counter.
(B category):- ancient warriors-
1:- mig 29 k = 65 fighters.
= 3 squad (going to retire near 2035).
= it should be replace by tejas mark 2.
= 4 genration decent fighter.
2:- mirage 2000 = 45 fighter.
= 3 squad (going to retire
near 2035).
= it should be replace by
tejas mark 2.
= 4 genration decent
fighter.
verdict= they can be useful in some operations...but they cant challenge enemy 4.5 nd 5 genration fighters.
(C category) :- medieval warriors -
1:- su 30 mki = 259 fighter.
= 13 or 15 squad (going to retire from 2040+).
= it should be replace by tejas mark 2 nd AMCA. or may be ORCA.
= 4 genration good fighter.
= upgrade will make it near 4.5 genration.
= this is back bone of IAF.
2:- tejas mark 1 = 40 fighter.
= 2 squads.
= 4 genration decent fighter.
= good for CAP missions.
3:- tejas mark 1a = 2 fighter.
= 4 genration good fighter.
verdict = these fighter hv capabilities to defense. but for offensive missions, i dont think air force will use them.
(D category) :- present time warrior -
1:- dassault rafale = 36 fighters.
= 2 squads.
= 4.5 genration good fighter.
= ideal choice for offensive missions.
= suggestion:- buy it
atleast 36 more. but 114
is ideal number to buy.
verdict = these r most modern fighter in our inventory. sadly it number is only 36.
so we hv approx 218 old aircrafts, 150 decent 4 genration, 299 good 4 genration nd 36 good 4.5 genration fighter. that make total = 705 fighters approx or 33/35 squads.
conclusion:-
1:- compaire to pakistan - we hv little upperhand. we can go offensive easily.
2:- compaire to china - we hv inferiority in quality nd quantity. defensive posture is good strategy against china. our SAM systems nd cruise+ballistic missile assests our airforce for defense nd attack.
3:- two front war - we will face huge losses. our airforce isnt capable to deal with enemies in different fronts.

 

[125mm_Smoothbore]

View: https://x.com/Platypus_10/status/1814651796431999398

 

[ezsasa]

As we know IAF inventory is both technology intensive as well as capital intensive, unlike IA they can't buy piece meal basis. by it's nature, IAF has to be constantly on their toes because of constant advances in tech by our adversaries as well as around the world.

even when IAF, Govt, Vendor are on same page, it takes about a decade for order to get signed for the bigger deals.

wanted to build this time line for some time, here is the first cut. there are missing items like dhruv, jaguar upgrade etc. incase anyone wants to contribute on filling in the details or any corrections, feel free to do so by copying the table and adding details.

Idea is to capture important milestones like order given, delivery commencement, Induction delivery complete. and also IAF's other projects like upgrades, MAFI and ALGs. since major chuck of their capex budget goes for these milestones and projects.

Year	System	Quantity	Cost	Remarks
1996	SU-30MKI	50
2000	SU-30MKI	140
2002	IL-78 MKI	6		Air refuelling
2004	BAE Hawk	66
2007	SU-30MKI	40
2008	BAE Hawk	40
2008	Akash SAM	2 Squadrons		Order given
2009	SPYDER SAM	18 Squadrons		Order Given
2009	MR-SAM			Contract signed but project delay by 4 years
2010	C-17	10
2010	Akash SAM	6 Squadrons		Order Given
2011	MAFI PHASE 1	30 airfields	36000 Cr.	completed in 2020 Modernisation of Airfields Infrastructure
2011	MIG-29 UPG	69
2012	Pilatus PC-7 Mk3	75
2012	SU-30MKI	42
2012	Akash SAM			Delivery begins
2012	SPYDER SAM			Delivery completed
2013	C-130J	12
2015	CH-47 Chinook	15
2015	AH-64E Apache	22
2015	Akash SAM			Induction
2016	Rafale	36	59000 Cr.	Contract signed
2018	SU-30MKI			First domestic overhaul of existing inventory
2018	S-400	5 Squadrons	35000 Cr.
2019	Rafale			First delivery
2020	MAFI PHASE 2
2021	C-295	56	21935 Cr.	Order
2021	LCA-MK1A	83	48000 Cr.
2021	SU-30MKI			Last of 222 order delivered
2021	MR-SAM	18 Squadrons	8396 Cr.	Induction starts
2021	S-400			First Delivery
2022	Rafale			Delivery completes
2022	HTT-40 Trainer	70	6800 Cr.	Order
2022	S-400			Second Delivery
2023	S-400			Third Delivery

 

[samsaptaka]

What options they have? They already committed to 180 Mk-1A but they haven't got the Mk-1A as there is a delay of 6 months. They don't have the sufficient numbers to reach the sanctioned strength. They have been asking for MRFA since 2000s but have got only 36 instead of 126. They are having trouble because of poor planning and execution. But we can't continue have this situation as it will hamper the nation's security.

They could have agreed to the GoI proposal to buy additional 36 rafales, but instead the did RR for MMRCA and MRFA and gawd knows what other shiny gold plated acronyms

 

[Patriots]

Hal does have commitment issue ,like a gf who has affairs with others ,

Again...India should think seriously about engines
Engine means , jet engine , helicopter engine , marine engine tank engine
Usa is playing , think someday if Russia denies engines , or its spares , our jets won't fly ,our tanks won't roll

The mod should give money to defence psus for development , instead of taking their yearly profits .
Iaf , ia and in should also spent money in developments ,instead of buying Hollywood weapons in the name of emergency procurement .

 

[125mm_Smoothbore]

View: https://x.com/NewsIADN/status/1816305577959567681

 

[Binayak95]

They could have agreed to the GoI proposal to buy additional 36 rafales, but instead the did RR for MMRCA and MRFA and gawd knows what other shiny gold plated acronyms

the Rafale follow on was scrapped thanks to opposition's randi rona at the time. Not the IAF.

 

[125mm_Smoothbore]

the Rafale follow on was scrapped thanks to opposition's randi rona at the time. Not the IAF.

Imo we should end the involvement of centre into def procurement (they can still veto things) but responsibility of orders should be in hands of forces and all public agents gone from mod only a team of 50-100 individuals ( related to different forces) would undertake procurements of diff systems

Can corruption happen ? Yea why not

Will it improve the time taken for procurement ? yea


Imo L1 system has a big big problem
In normal system if a company had to offer a car they offer base variant to top variant with full equipment to the customer ( forces in this case)
Due to L1 the manufacturer by default has to offer base variant with no feature add ons
For procurement of those necessary equipment there would be another L1 and there could be case in which equipment of x isnt as compatible with y but x is chosen due to L1

 

[Vishnugupt]

They could have agreed to the GoI proposal to buy additional 36 rafales, but instead the did RR for MMRCA and MRFA and gawd knows what other shiny gold plated acronyms

Because UN Generals motive has never been capability development. It's always been kickback money and job in foreign land for offspring.

Remember the UN Generals motto. "Always set foot towards failure"

 

[jaijaganath]

View: https://x.com/ajitkdubey/status/1816849885779345679

 

[125mm_Smoothbore]

View: https://x.com/ajitkdubey/status/1816849885779345679

SAME SOURCE

 

[jaijaganath]

View attachment 4384
SAME SOURCE

By 2026 we will have all 5 squadrons
We had requirement for 12 such systems
Hope we see some progress in project kusha

 

[125mm_Smoothbore]

By 2026 we will have all 5 squadrons
We had requirement for 12 such systems
Hope we see some progress in project kusha

testing is scheduled for 2025 for project kusha (dont know ersam or xrsam or both) iirc


View: https://x.com/AdithyaKM_/status/1816860734313123863

 

[Mr.Evil]

testing is scheduled for 2025 for project kusha (dont know ersam or xrsam or both) iirc


View: https://x.com/AdithyaKM_/status/1816860734313123863

I think kusha is one of my favourite projects drdo is working on I really want to see it succeed.

 

[Mr.Evil]

View: https://x.com/singhshwetabh71/status/1817236629565661548

 

[Vinod Patter]

View: https://x.com/NewsIADN/status/1816305577959567681

These are in service with SA-3 Pichora squadrons, these vehicles are part of SA-3 Pichora batteries. Kraz- 255 is used to pull launchers of SA-3 Pichora launchers weighing around 13200 kg, AD-100 generator set, guidence radar can split in 2 pieces. Antenna of radar is pulled by YB-600 trailers. Lower part of radar is itself a trailer with wheels , it YB-550 trailer. There are six Kraz-255 per battery, five for permanent use and one stand by. India every Pichora squadron has two batteries and every battery has three launchers. In Russia they used to have four launchers per battery but we purchased only three per battery. Zil-131 carry YNK radar cabin. Radar cabin has panels like GO panel, Battery commander panel etc. GO(guidence officer) panel is called 61 panel, battery commander panel is called 62 panel. Zil TLV vehicle (transport and loading vehicle) has different configurations, it carries missiles and is used as loading and reloading vehicle of missiles on launchers. Per battery two Ural vehicles are used for pulling RKY cabin ( power distribution cabin) and PRM cabin ( secret library consists of publications related to SA-3, technical, operating manual, instructions, diagram manual, combat drill manual, training notes hand written by crews). Kraz-255 carry all accessories of launchers in its trailer. AD-100 generator is pronounced as Ada 100 just like Russians pronounce it, YB-600 is pronounced as ube 600 just like Russians pronounce it, YNK radar cabin is pronounced as uenka cabin just like Russians pronounce it.