The first Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) was recently handed over to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in France.
Even as the Indian Air Force gets ready to welcome its new acquisitions, ad hocism should give way to strategic thinking.
What is the significance?
The receiving of Rafale fighter aircraft is the latest in a series of much-needed yet delayed steps to bolster the IAF’s combat capabilities.
The IAF has historically been one of the best-equipped forces in the region.
However, it has seen its advantage, particularly quantitative, against China and Pakistan narrow dramatically over the past two decades.
The IAF is today faced with the twin tasks -
of having to acquire technological superiority over its two adversaries
of gathering enough aircraft to start off any collusive misadventures
On the technological front, the Rafale jet offers an unprecedented air-to-air capability in the form of the MBDA Meteor missile.
[MBDA is a European developer and manufacturer of missiles]
Rafale also offers a new long-range precision strike capability with the MBDA’s SCALP air-launched cruise missile.
[The Storm Shadow / SCALP is a long-range, air-launched, stand-off attack missile]
Rafale also provides the IAF with a combat platform that is more completely and tightly integrated by the original equipment manufacturer.
This offers an advantage over any number of modified and upgraded aircraft presently in service.
The Indian government is paying to Dassault (for Rafale) to not only modify and certify the aircraft to an exacting specification but also to stand by its reliability in service.
This is something that has never been done with a fighter aircraft in Indian service to date.
What are the challenges to IAF’s air power?
Air power is an expensive business.
Moreover, there is a scenario where manpower and running costs consume a huge share of the budget.
Given this, the principal impediment to a comprehensive renewal of the IAF is a financial one.
As such, lower capital costs and lower sustainment costs have to go hand in hand.
In the indigenous option, the HAL’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is domestically produced and paid for mostly in rupees.
It is both fiscally attractive and certainly good enough to replace the IAF’s ageing MiG-21 and MiG-27 fleet as it stands.
However, non-compliance with a 1980s Air Staff Requirement (specifications for design and development of aircraft) and low production rates continue to raise questions about MIG’s future.
What are the other challenges?
Defence budgets have remained effectively flat for a long time, and with a slowing economy, an increase in capital outlay is not likely.
Procurement funding will also necessarily have to compete with funding for research and development for upcoming domestic projects.
These include the redesigned LCA Mk.2 and fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Finally, even if all near-term procurements proceed to plan, there is still much to be desired.
These include training of air and ground crew, and building of infrastructure.
Besides, actually operationalising new types will pose their own challenges that will slow the effective rate of force accretion.
Neighbourhood - The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) are not standing still.
The PAF is over-burdened with a number of legacy issues that are similar to the IAF.
Pakistan is however well placed to recapitalise a significant proportion of its air force with a relatively modern aircraft.
E.g. the availability of the Sino-Pak JF-17 cheaply and in numbers, along with access to a wide range of Chinese weaponry developed for the type
As China ramps up its fifth-generation aircraft programmes and unit costs drop, there is little doubt these platforms will also find their way into Pakistan.
What is the way forward?
While primarily oriented toward taking on the U.S. military in the Pacific and beyond, China’s formidable aerial arsenal cannot be ignored by India.
So, as the IAF gets ready to welcome its new acquisitions, it should be clear about the challenges it faces.
Notably, India’s strategic and operational environment is undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Ad hocism should give way to strategic thinking if these challenges are to be effectively met.
