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| IAF struggles to retain edge over PAF | | |
Friday, September 29, 2006 (New Delhi):
In the last resort for a military man, India's Air Chief has written to the defence minister urging him to ensure that his force retains its edge over Pakistan.
The Air Force has consistently argued that the government has to think long term and a favourable balance of power today is not a guarantee for the future.
For years, the Air Force has been crying out for fighter aircraft, as its fleet grew older and older. Now the Indian Air Force is in danger of being overtaken by its most important rival, the Pakistan Air Force.
The warning has been sounded by India's Air Force chief, Air Marshal SP Tyagi.
After years of asking the Ministry of Defence in every forum, through every channel, for new fighter planes like the Sukhoi-30 MKI to strengthen the Indian Air Force, Air Marshall Tyagi has had to fall back on a chief's last resort.
Chilling figures
In a secret letter addressed directly by him to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherji, the Air Chief has spoken as bluntly as he can. If the MoD delays any more, says the chief, India's Air Force will no longer be superior to Pakistan's.
The letter is detailed and the figures are chilling:
Even the government admits that India needs 40 squadrons of fighters (there are 20 aircraft in each squadron)
The figure today is down to 34 squadrons, six squadrons short, that is 120 planes
As old planes like the MIG-21s are phased out, by 2012 there will be barely 31.5 squadrons
And by 2018 India will have 26.5 squadrons, about the same as Pakistan's 26 squadrons.
"The government has sanctioned 40 squadrons. These are required for covering two fronts. India and China, and also maritime duties in the Indian Ocean," said Air Vice Marshall Kapil Kak.
Slow response from GoI
But unlike India where the government has done nothing to buy the 126 planes that the Air Force has urgently requested, Air Chief Marshall Tyagi says Pakistan's Air Force is getting plenty of brand new hi-tech aircraft.
Boosting the 26 fighter squadrons that Pakistan already has will be two more squadrons of state-of-the-art F-16s.
China is giving more J-10 fighters equipped with Russian engines to Pakistan. And China's co-developing with Pakistan the ultra-modern J-17 Thunder.
Pakistan is likely to buy 7-8 squadrons. That adds ten more squadrons to Pakistan Air Force.
Supplementing these aircraft with new ones, says the Air Chief, is not a quick fix. The aircraft take time to come in.
A squadron of upgraded MIG-29s are already on order for the navy's aircraft carrier. They will only start arriving in 2008.
Grim picture
The Mirage 2000, a tried and tested Air Force favourite, is no longer in production.
It's only the Sukhoi-30 MKI that is available for supply and Russia only produces 35 a year including for its own needs.
Air Chief Marshall SP Tyagi paints a grim picture but it's not surprising.
For years, the Air Force has been asking the government to put out a global tender for the urgent supply of 126 Multi-role Combat Aircraft. The chief ends his letter with a clear set of three requests.
Buy 40 additional Sukhoi 30 MKIs from Russia on a fast track
Quickly put out a global tender for 126 fighters that's been delayed for years
And urge Russia to stop China from selling Pakistan J-10 and J-17 fighters that have Russian engines.
It is down in writing with the Ministry of Defense, but is anyone reading?
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