Analyzing Indian Air Force Capability

[Contrarian]

Speaking of the phalcon, Which unit is getting tasked with operating the beasts? Who will be training them, the Israelis I presume? Does India have enough operators familiar with phased array radar to use and maintain the things?

I have no idea which unit is getting tasked with operating the Phalcons, but its obvious enough to assume that USAF and IDF will be training the IAF for it.

India did not have any operators familiar with operating AWACS, but because of this and to give exposure,training and experience to IAF, India has been conducting joint excercises with LOADS of airforces almost all operating with some kind of AWACS. You might have wondered why there was this sudden craze in IAF for joint excercises with other AF's. IAF operators were always with the other AF AWACS operators to learn, etc as well as for the rest of the AF so that the pilots learn how to fly and develop tactics in an AWACS environment.

This is apart from the crews sent for training specifically for the Phlacons.
IAF previously does have experience in operating phased array radars which are present on the Su-30MKI's(although they are passive), even though its not the same, but i think that it would only help.

 

[Titanium]

I have no idea which unit is getting tasked with operating the Phalcons, but its obvious enough to assume that USAF and IDF will be training the IAF for it.

India did not have any operators familiar with operating AWACS, but because of this and to give exposure,training and experience to IAF, India has been conducting joint excercises with LOADS of airforces almost all operating with some kind of AWACS. You might have wondered why there was this sudden craze in IAF for joint excercises with other AF's. IAF operators were always with the other AF AWACS operators to learn, etc as well as for the rest of the AF so that the pilots learn how to fly and develop tactics in an AWACS environment.

This is apart from the crews sent for training specifically for the Phlacons.
IAF previously does have experience in operating phased array radars which are present on the Su-30MKI's(although they are passive), even though its not the same, but i think that it would only help.

Can I just say politely, you did not understand the question nor the working of AWACS

 

[EagleEyes]

Anybody discussing PAF VS IAF will be banned for a week. I normally dont do that. But people are really pissing me off. Bad day already.

 

[Contrarian]

It gets to be beyond surprise now---when a pakistani colleague wants to compare future PAF against present day IAF---I just wonder, is this the best mental excersize that pakistan has to offer.

As I have stated many times before---nations fight battles with the equipment they took possession of yesterday. Any comparison that has to be made has to done with what we have in hand and not what we are going to get 5 years down the road. So, can we do that please.

I was surprised at that too. The man was comparing his future fleet of PAF planes to what India has now!

 

[con]

I posted earlier that Indian Airforce is a threat to South Asia as an Offensive force but Defencive element is long neglected by India by Not replacing it Bisons.......

The concept of multirole has removed the need for having specialist aircrafts for carrying out certain tasks. An adversary can expect the SU-30 defending Indian skies,as well a jaguar which has the EL-2032 radar.Around 125 Mi-21's have been ugraded to handle BVR weapons,which gives them enough punch to handle interception.

Bar some of the Mig-21's,all other aircraft in IAF's inventory are BVR capable.
I would not say IAF has not concentrated on interception.Replacing Mig-21 may not be the only solution to increase the defensive capability of IAF.

 

[Contrarian]

Can I just say politely, you did not understand the question nor the working of AWACS

Do explain then...

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

First of all tell me in which kind of scenario you would like to know about IAF's defensive capability? I mean in terms of present strenght or future strenght. Since you have justifying your truth by taking into consideration PAF's future capability.

I am not taking PAF's late future Capability as for Indian AF Future Strenght means after induction of MRCA starting from 2011 if decided next year...

I am talking about near Future, with F-16s being inducted and in coming 2 years or so PAF will have 100 odd F-16s and also J-10s, Pakistan will pose a significant threat to India as an offensive force till atleast IAF inducts MRCA to balance.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

I was surprised at that too. The man was comparing his future fleet of PAF planes to what India has now!

No one was comparing anything dude ........ I simply said ..

IAF has not got Interception ability as required against Threats at Present and in near Future........ Read all the Posts

I was implying this in not PAF scenario but it seems we are the only ones you plan and can think of comparing......

CAN IAF Defend its skys from other potential Intruders ...... Keep PAF aside and look for the others .... Its not that you have your IAF for Pakistan only..

Considering that a country needs to strenghten its defences against offensive elements in any given time you need to prepare for That ..

Hence i maintain its not about Comparison, its about IAF being not a good defensive force because lack of Interceptors of High performance and agility.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

We can't prove you wrong, since you are already living in excessive denial and posting some contradictory as well as spontenous statement.

Am I comparing ............

You people live in Denial of simple fact and to admit it or post fact or figure that says that Indian Air defence is Ok... Only IAF discussed......

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

Hi,

It gets to be beyond surprise now---when a pakistani colleague wants to compare future PAF against present day IAF---I just wonder, is this the best mental excersize that pakistan has to offer. Has it become that bad that pakistanis have lost any concept of strategy and real time warfare scenarios----has common sense gone out of the window.

As I have stated many times before---nations fight battles with the equipment they took possession of yesterday. Any comparison that has to be made has to done with what we have in hand and not what we are going to get 5 years down the road. So, can we do that please.

I will say few sentences for you Sir,

1. Read all my posts and then tell me what was the question ........
The argument made was IAF is not a capable defensive force because of lack of Interception capabilities......So who started the comparison ... I mentioned and i maintained that IAF is a strong and dangerous offensive force at the Moment but no one is arguing the opposite of offensive ... Is it Defense capable..

2. The argument is not against IAF being not capable in light of PAF but IAF not capable in light of an Attack... Hell it can be anybody , China ?.

3. Kindly review all posts and then suggest what you said ......



Not Mature i would say!.

 

[KENT]

Anybody discussing PAF VS IAF will be banned for a week. I normally dont do that. But people are really pissing me off. Bad day already.

Dear Sir, this is regarding your warning of banning of member for one week, I have complete respect for your directive which is in the interest of Forum.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

Dear Sir, this is regarding your warning of banning of member for one week, I have complete respect for your directive which is in the interest of Forum.

Meaning?????

 

[JK!]

I will say few sentences for you Sir,

1. Read all my posts and then tell me what was the question ........
The argument made was IAF is not a capable defensive force because of lack of Interception capabilities......So who started the comparison ... I mentioned and i maintained that IAF is a strong and dangerous offensive force at the Moment but no one is arguing the opposite of offensive ... Is it Defense capable..

2. The argument is not against IAF being not capable in light of PAF but IAF not capable in light of an Attack... Hell it can be anybody , China ?.

3. Kindly review all posts and then suggest what you said ......



Not Mature i would say!.

What on earth have you been smoking to suggest that India lacks interceptors or an interception capability?!

Defensive wise India has alot of SAMs including S300 types and the SU30MKI is ideally suited for interception missions.

Sort it out newbie!!!

 

[KENT]

Meaning?????

Meaning of this can only be understood if you go back and pay some attention as what had suggested by Admin and I only acknowledge his directive regarding not to engage in any kind of IAF vs PAF scenario related equations. And I had already told you as long as you don't get some reality check, till then there is no need of arguments, because you have widely acknowledge the SU-30 is bomber not Air-superiority Jet and hence you have left no room for anymore viable discussion.

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

Defensive wise India has alot of SAMs including S300 types and the SU30MKI is ideally suited for interception missions.

Not to forget Mirages along with SU30MKI.
Read the News article below on The war game, code-named ‘Dakshin Prahar' going on while we discuss the interceptor capability.

'Wolf Pack’ arrives for mock combat​

G. Anand


Six Mirage 2000 fighters to participate in ‘battle’ over the city


— Photo: C. Ratheesh kumar

Aerial might: The fleet of Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft which arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on Thursday evening to participate in the ‘Dakshin Prahar’ exercise organised by the Indian Air Force.

Thiruvananthapuram: Six Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft of the Gwalior-based ‘Wolf Pack’ squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF) arrived here on Thursday afternoon to take part in a massive air combat exercise over the southern peninsula scheduled to start on December 3.

Wing Commander K. Suresh Kumar, a Keralite, commands the Wolf Pack.

Dakshin Prahar

The war game, code-named ‘Dakshin Prahar,’ will start with Jaguar ground-attack aircraft (mimicking the role of invading enemy bombers) targeting key national assets in the peninsula.

The Mirages will intercept the Jaguars, which will take off from the Arakkonam Naval Airbase near Chennai.


Combat plan

The Mirages on combat air patrol will try to prevent the bombers from acquiring their targets. The fighters will try to “kill” the bombers before they come into visual range by using long range air-to-air missiles.

Other air-defence assets, including surface-to-air missiles, will be deployed against the Jaguars in the simulated air battle. The Jaguars, capable of flying at high speeds at very low and high altitudes, will try to evade the interceptors.

The interception of the “enemy” aircraft will take place possibly at 10,000 feet over the city and also the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands.

Sukhoi 30 MKI

The second phase of the exercise will involve Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft intercepting Mirages, which will be playing the role of enemy aircraft.

The Sukhois, capable of remaining airborne for nearly six hours at a stretch, will be supported by IL-78 airborne fuel tankers. There will be no firing of live ammunition during the exercise.

MI-8 helicopters will be used for ferrying messages, satellite pictures of the staging area and also for carrying out simulated search-and-rescue operations.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles launched from Sulur and Tanjavur air bases in Tamil Nadu will be used for surveillance, reconnaissance and also as air-borne targets for the fighters.

The Mirage pilots will practice mid-air refuelling from IL-78 airborne fuel tankers at lower altitudes to gain experience in carrying out such difficult operations in turbulent wind conditions.

The exercise will not disrupt normal air traffic over the peninsula


The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : ‘Wolf Pack’ arrives for mock combat