Squadrons are raised with much smaller numbers than the full 20 or 21 jets required.
I'll give you a better timeline.
Old squadrons that will be operational in 2025
MKI = 13.5
Mig-29 = 3
M-2000 = 3
Jaguar = 4.5... There's 6, but 1.5 squadrons worth will be removed. Some will crash.
So that's 24 squadrons.
To get to 39, we need 15.
LCA = 6
Rafale = 4
So we need 4 more to make it to 39 squadrons. These 4 squadrons will come in through the main production programs, so squadrons will be raised in parallel. HAL is pushing for 3 more LCA squadrons to make up for any delay with MCA. Since these jets are new and the dangerous jets will leave service over the next 5-7 years, attrition will be very low. Attrition replacements will become important after 2030.
Then the 3 Mig-29 squadrons will go between 2030-35. If the PAK FA becomes available earlier, then it could even exit the IAF from 2027. M-2000 have 5500 hours of service life extension. They will be upgraded with AESA radar around 2030-35, they can stay in service until 2048. The Jaguars will remain in service until 2042. Jaguar upgrade configuration has been frozen.
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1. i thought there are 2 active sqs but i will take your word for the third one, its standarad 4000 hours extention till 2035-2040
2. 6 LCA sq in 6 years that is impressive
3. jauguars, original plan was take these 1960 era overweight jet to 2030 by giving them new engine and AESA radar supposedly starting serial production in 2010-15 time frame..i never knew the engine has been selected and finalized (no engine no upgrade..)
4. i thought you have 2 rafale since when its 4? did i miss something?
5. and what other 4 squadrons, do you think you will select, upgrade, do serial production in just 7 years..you are really kidding right(by comparison to buy off the shelf aircraft it took 15 years!!) even countries with fast pace procurement like Pakistan cant do that
so basically you have wished up 6 new aircraft squadrons that we have no idea what they will be, restructured and correct HAL and mk1a to make 120 jets/6 sq (congratulations) and some how stretched the jauguars to 2030 and yet just 39
squadrons
39 squardons are enough to win a prolonged war with Pakistan which has 20 squadrons, a higher pilot ratio(2.5 :1 vs 0.8:1) and higher serviceability but nothing more, if these stats dont worry IAF against pakistan than you guys should fire who ever is in IAF...no worry should be PAF vs afghan air force, or IAF vs BAF.....
and when it comes to china, you guys are kidding me right, even their j-10 out number all the 4th gen fighters with 400+ in service(220 J10A till 2002, 180 J10B till date), for egt about the 400+ flankers, the JH-7s, J20s or the other bombers
and congratulations to both Pakistani and indians especially south indians, we have people on the top who think nuclear weapons are for bluff..i feel sorry for south indians because they probably dont even know what the "thing" between us..lol..
there you go rising india in dust of nuclear war, just because an idiot thought its bluff
PS:
I didnt even warrant to comment on idiotic BMD system argument
this is fun reading on mirage2000 upgrade
https://www.defensenews.com/global/...et-in-jeopardy-as-maintenace-contracts-lapse/
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oh pilot ratio, which is crucial given each sortie has tremendous stress on pilot
Furthermore, the IAF’s current fighter aircraft to pilot ratio is 1:0.81.”Our sanctioned strength for [combat] pilots is less than that of our adversaries,” the report said, adding that the Pakistan Air Force’s fighter to pilot ratio was 1:2.5, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly reported. In the U.S. the cockpit to pilot ratio is 1:2. Jane’s further summarized
https://thediplomat.com/2015/04/the-indian-air-forces-big-problem-not-enough-pilots/
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