Sinha, former deputy air chief who played a key role in bringing Rafale into India. “The IAF is now fully capable of sorting out both Pakistan and China,” said Air Marshal (retd) S.B.P. Since its bombing mission in the Korean war, the PLAAF has not carried out any offensive missions. Moreover, most Chinese fighters are a result of reverse-engineering, making it less reliable than a western aircraft.Īccording to Dhanoa, the combat experience of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force remains sketchy. The Chinese air force may have a numerical advantage, but military observers say it suffers from a lack of combat experience. It also has a long-range strategic bomber fleet, around 20 AWACS (airborne warning and control system) aircraft, and a variety of combat drones. Major force: IAF’s Apache helicopter in Ladakh | ReutersĬhina has more than 2,000 combat aircraft, including J-20, J-10, J-11 and Su-27 fighter jets. “It enhances not just the firepower multiple times, but also the morale of our pilots.” “Most fighter jets have been integrated with these missiles systems,” said a top IAF officer. The Air Force also has SPICE 2000 air-to-ground missiles (of Balakot fame) and HAMMER (Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) air-to-ground precision-guided weapon systems. Integrated with fighter jets are a variety of missiles-from the deadly BrahMos and the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) to the long-range, air-to-air Python 5 and MICA missiles. The missile arsenal also gives the IAF a strong advantage. Also, apart from upgrades planned for 59 existing MiG-29s, the IAF is also acquiring 21 more MiG-29s and has issued a tender for 114 fighter jets to be manufactured in India on a transfer-of-technology basis.Įxperts say the IAF can match, or even better, the Chinese air force in a limited air war. IAF officials say they are not in hurry-the fleet still has 15 more years of life. There is also a plan to have a more powerful engine (Honeywell F-125IN) for 80 Jaguars.
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Half of the 116 Jaguars are being given DARIN III (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) upgrades, which involves providing a new radar, a fully integrated electronic warfare suite, smart multi-function displays, new avionics and a new attack system. The IAF is now streamlining and upgrading its fleet of Jaguar, Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Sukhoi-30 Mki fighters.
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It has a mixed inventory sourced from the US, Russia and Europe.
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With more than 1,700 aircraft-around 900 of them fighters-the IAF is the world’s fourth largest air force. So the focus is now on gaps and deficiencies. “It gives technological advantage over our immediate neighbours.
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“It’s good that we are getting the best available aircraft in the world,” said a former air chief. The new acquisitions and upgrades of existing capabilities have given the IAF the visible ability to strike deep even in a contested airspace. Unlike 1962, when air power was not used, IAF fighters and attack helicopters had made their presence known during the Ladakh standoff. India has also integrated its formidable missile arsenal with the IAF fleet.Īs the 15-month-long border tensions between India and China begin to ease, experts say the IAF’s show of power prevented any Chinese misadventure. Thanks to Dassault’s Rafale jets (two squadrons raised), Boeing’s Apache and Chinook helicopters and a modern fleet of transport aircraft, it has become a reliably mighty force. The reason behind the swagger: the IAF has acquired some of the world’s best aircraft in less than 12 months. Dhanoa, known as the architect of the Balakot strikes, says India’s adversaries would think twice before starting a war as the IAF holds a major edge in the region. When it comes to air power, India is hard to beat, says key IAF men.