The perennial deficit in fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force [IAF] is unlikely to be made up by 2028, by when HAL has pledged to deliver all 83 LCA Mk 1 A. So what are the options ahead?
In a landmark achievement, the first Aircraft LA5033 of the Tejas Mk1A Aircraft series took to the skies from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited [HAL] facility in Bengaluru on March 28 with a sortie flying time of 18 minutes.
“HAL achieved this significant production milestone with concurrent design & development amid major supply chain challenges in the global geo-political environment subsequent to the contract signature in February 2021”, said Mr. C. B. Ananthakrishnan, CMD (Addl. Charge), HAL. The aircraft was piloted by Chief Test Pilot, Gp Capt K K Venugopal (Retd).
HAL has established three lines of production for Tejas Mk1A and the first aircraft is expect to be delivered to the IAF in July this year with completion of the first tranche of 83 aircraft by 2028 as per the PSU.
The Bengaluru line is set to deliver 16 aircraft per year and a new line in Nashik another 8 ones it become operational. Nashik was the hub for Su 30 MKI production with sourcing from Russia. This has led to the HAL setting an ambitious target of completion the first tranche of 83 LCA Mk 1 A aircraft by 2028.
HAL contends that the LCA Tejas is a 4.5 generation, all weather and multi-role fighter aircraft designed to be a multi-role aircraft capable of taking up offensive air support, close combat and ground attack role.
It is also designed to undertake Ground Maritime Operations.
The different variants of aircraft under production and development are Single seater fighter for Air Force and Navy and Twin seater trainers for the two services.
On the Technical characteristics of LCA Mk 1 A the HAL says that it is the most advanced version of the LCA Tejas.
It is equipped with AESA Radar, EW suite consisting of radar warning and self-protection jamming, Digital Map Generator (DMG), Smart Multi-function Displays (SMFD), Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT), Advanced Radio Altimeter and other advances features.
LCA Mark 1 A will be powered by GE 414 engines under 80 percent technology transfer by GE Aerospace under agreement with the HAL after approval of governments on both sides. Air to air refuelling will also be incorporated.
The IAF’s procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A, valued at Rs 48,000 crores is to be followed by additional orders for 97 Tejas aircraft signalling a potential outlay of Rs 65,000 crore by year-end. The LCA Mk 1 A induction comes as a replacement of the MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-27 which have been phased out. The first squadron, dubbed “Cobra,” will reportedly be deployed at the Nal Airbase in Rajasthan. Three squadrons of Mark 1A are being raised for the Western borders with the second squadron likely to be based at Naliya Air Base in Kutch, Gujarat.
If the plans fructify including acquisitions and upgrades, IAF fighter fleet by 2028 should have approximately 120 LCA variants, 280 Su 30 MKI with some of the fleet upgraded as well as 65 MiG 29 upgraded with an improved engine the latter expected to be in service till 2035. The Jaguar fleet may be on the way out by this time, yet about three to four squadrons essentially number plated will be on the IAF rolls. The extended service life Mirage 2000 and the Rafale will be also in service. In terms of squadrons, these could be 28-30 short of the IAF requirement of 42 combat fighter squadrons. Of these four squadrons of LCA Mk 1 A and Rafale will be the most modern while others will be in various upgraded forms. This assumes that the 114 MRFA programme will not deliver till 2028 if at all it is undertaken by the government in the coming years.
Clearly the IAF will have to continue to rely on superior combat maneouvres, effective networking of assets and integrating unmanned assets such as the MQ 9 Reaper an armed UAV to meet the challenges from the PLA Air Force and its acolyte the Pakistan Air Force, the IAF’s legacy adversary. However, it is not clear if the manned unmanned teaming concept has been accepted doctrinally by the IAF. The PLAAF is presently fielding approximately 1200 fighter aircraft in 2023 as per Flight Global World Aircraft Directory which are likely to increase substantially in terms of quality in the five years leading up to 2028.
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