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Why steady decline in IAF fighter squadrons during NDA term is worrying

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Kamal Mitra Chenoy
Kamal Mitra ChenoyDec 28, 2017 | 19:50

Why steady decline in IAF fighter squadrons during NDA term is worrying

The BJP in its manifesto ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha elections had specifically expressed concern about the “loss of squadrons of combat aircraft by the air force” during the UPA term in power, noting that “these are indications of surrendering of India’s interest". The manifesto had stated: “This calls for a review and overhauling of the current system.”

Despite such "brave", if not provocative words, the NDA government itself is unlikely to make up for the loss of squadrons.

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In fact, the government has admitted it will not have added even one squadron to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in its five-year term in power.

Three squadrons of MiG-21 aircraft will be phased out by 2020. If anything, the situation is only likely to worsen by 2025. 

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Image: Reuters photo

Answering a question in Parliament, the defence ministry stated: “10 squadrons of Indian Air Force (IAF) equipped with MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircraft are scheduled to retire by 2024 on completion of their total technical life.”

The Rafale, whose price changed over time, will have just 36 aircraft delivered between 2019 and 2022. The Sukhoi-MKI which has 11 squadrons ready this year, will increase to 13 in 2025. It is built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Nashik, with production-run ending in 2019.

The MiG-29, with three squadrons, is being upgraded by 2018-2019, but will remain in service until 2032, which is a long time for a fighter aircraft in a highly competitive field. Similarly, the Mirage 2000, which is in three squadrons, is being upgraded by 2020-2021, remaining in service till 2032. The Jaguar, which has six squadrons in 2017, will be upgraded by 2020-2021 and remain in service till 2032.

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The highly rated single-engine fighter Saab’s Gripen E or Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 has yet to be chosen from the two options by the NDA government. Similarly, the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) has yet to be co-developed with Russia and built by HAL. It is not at all clear why the HAL has been sidelined by an Anil Ambani company for the necessary outfitting, including promised improvements in the Rafale aircraft.

The Rafale is an expensive option. As the media has pointed out, “another two (Rafale) squadrons would require the government to significantly scale up defence allocations". But if that is the case why go in for the Rafale, especially since there are only two squadrons. There was the MiG-35 option among several others which are available now or in the next two-three years that would have been cheaper options.

As any newspaper reader knows buying military equipment is often controversial. For example, the Bofors gun issue despite the fact that this gun played a major role in the Kargil battle. But for a government which is going in for a loan of Rs 50,000 crore via government securities, increasing the fiscal deficit to a likely 3.54 per cent against the Budget target of 3.2 per cent of GDP, it needs to reconsider its priorities in other sectors.

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That does not in any way diminish the critical issue of defence, as the Sino-Pakistani entente has increased the threat perception of the armed forces and the Modi government. But as the dictum shows, our forces must always be ready, and have the best possible equipment.

It is a pity that while there is so much concern over the selection of the best aircraft for the air force, there is too little public concern over the fact that our Army and paramilitary lack an up-to-date assault rifle, though that has been a crying need for years.

Last updated: December 28, 2017 | 19:50
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