IAF needs 39 squadrons for 2-front war, has only 34'

[kaykay]

along with these 8 existing MKI squadrons another 3 are being raised in Bhuj, kalaikunda and hashimara too...

 

[sancho]

along with these 8 existing MKI squadrons another 3 are being raised in Bhuj, kalaikunda and hashimara too...

Kalaikunda yes, they already should have MKIs stationed there, since that AFB was the next to get them. Hashimara will get one of the first Rafale squadrons, Bhuj most likely LCAs in future. Last news I saw mentioned Thanjavur, Jodhpur and Sirsa.

 

[MilSpec]

No, CAS fighters for example are used in early stages too, covered by Air superiority fighters and in Kosovo war for example, drones were used in early stages for recon roles, where fighters with recon pods were too vulnerable against air defences and even if 1 or 2 drone were shot down, it didn't bother much, since no pilot was lost and the cost was reasonable. Today with armed drones this will be even more the case, as I already told you, IAF has procured numbers of Israeli suicide drones for pre-emtive strikes, with armed Heron or Rustom H, difficult SEAD or CAS roles would be done in early stages as well, instead of risking a fighter, or a helicopter.

Now you are mixing recon with CAS, when did I object to using unmanned recon?






You can also take Kargil as an example, where partial air superiority was achieved and in this area armed drones or C130s would have been much more effective than the fast Mig 27s, or even an LCA.
Of course there won't be total air superiority in our cases, but that only increases the reasons to use drones / or weapons instead of fighters and where superiority is achieved, drones will have the explained operational and cost advantages over LCA.
You can also read this article about the RAF Reaper drones in comparison to Tornados, which even are dedicated strike fighters and still the advantage of drones gets evident:[/QUOTE]

Not possible with the MK1s and maybe not even for the MK2 (although that depends on the increased fuel capacity), since all hardpoints are occupied and no BVR missiles can be carrier in strike config. So any LCA in CAS role, requires another LCA in escort role to cover it, which makes it more useful to use LCA for CAP only, while drones are used for CAS. That's why I said that they will remain useful in interception roles, but will loose major parts of CAS to drones.

You do realise when I say mk2 for CAS, I dont mean lone gunslinger, Without complete air superiority, no matter which A/c it is, it will always need air cover, but the advantage with multirole will always remain with altleast couple of MRAAM's with conventional payload, so if SHTF's it can jettison it payload and get into defensive posture, which unmanned platforms can never achieve.

8 Mirage and some Mig 29 for a CAS mission back than and also consider the time that they needed to recon the right targets and plan the mission before the strikes.
Today with modern fighters and armed drones, you would use half the numbers of fighters, since upgraded M2K-5s for example could used a strike load and still carry a useful number of AAMs, while drones offer live recon and even weapon guidance for the LGBs and if they are armed, they can even take out the targets on their own. All this, while the Migs still would provide top cover / CAP.

Exactly the same applies to Mk2, hence it's envisioned role in CAP/CAS

They will handle it anyway, since they remain to be the main air superiority fighters, but interceptions and CAP on the eastern front of course will be done by Mig 29s and LCAs. I also expect MK2s to be available at the eastern front too, since IAF will surely maintain their combo tactics with MKI and a fighter with low RCS.
However, the most capable fighters will always get preference and for the 2nd they when cost-effectivity comes in to the game, in CAS drones are the better choice in all accounts.

[/QUOTE]

try and understand the time frame needed to breach LC at multiple locations and providing effective air cover without complete air superiority and still providing effective CAS as well as air cover to the IBG's, Having dedicated multirole fighters in large numbers which can be used in swing role at will, will be definately more effective.

 

[indian_foxhound]

@sandy_3126 @sancho In mki or any other twin seater jet which is not a trainer jet... Can both pilot control the jet? Mean can rio (Radar Intercept Office) can fly the jet??

 

[MilSpec]

@sandy_3126 @sancho In mki or any other twin seater jet which is not a trainer jet... Can both pilot control the jet? Mean can rio (Radar Intercept Office) can fly the jet??

Yes, redundant control system in most twin seat configs

 

[indian_foxhound]

Yes, redundant control system in most twin seat configs

So they can switch in between flights??

 

[MilSpec]

So they can switch in between flights??

They dont, but they can If needed.

 

[danger007]

May be for 2 front war, we should have 6 to 8 squadrons FGFA/PAK-FA.... two sq 5th gen with MKI's could keep paf at bay, remaining for plaaf...

 

[sancho]

Now you are mixing recon with CAS, when did I object to using unmanned recon?

You didn't, it was just an example to show you that you are mistaken about the use of CAS fighters or drones only when air superiority is achieved. When the drone is more suitable for the mission, or if it's simply too risky for a manned fighter, a cheaper drone is always the best choice.
Recon was the first role that was taken over by drones, CAS was the next one now, in future we will see drones beeing used for deep strikes, jamming, Sigint/Elint, or even in combination with stealth fighters or AWACS in A2A as platforms to carry missiles.

You do realise when I say mk2 for CAS

Of course, but the MK2 has the same number of hardpoints as MK1, which means unless the increased internal fuel capacity is enough to replace fuel tanks, the MK2 won't be able to carry BVR missiles either in strike config and so far all official models, graphics or talks with officials at BR hint in this direction:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qM956P7QAU/URdYderS_aI/AAAAAAAATOI/PxLpb7ZAEdw/s1600/DSC08323-769240.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I40Q_WKDw8I/TgzusFozLkI/AAAAAAAAAJs/YLqrL8qRqzA/s1600/Tejas+LCA+Mk2.jpg


A major mistake imo and again a major failure of the project planning!


The Gripen E/F, or the Mirage 2000-5 added hardpoints in their upgrades, that's why they can carry both kind of weapons.
Btw, being multi role capable means that the fighter has the capability to use A2A and A2G weapons, but not necessarily at the same time, because that depends on the hardpoint layout of the fighter.

 

[J-30]

why are guys always think of war with everyone? you dont need to aggresive like this..

 

[maniac@666]

we dont want war with anyone.its not aggresiveness its to be prepared for the worst.

 

[peaceful]

why are guys always think of war with everyone? you dont need to aggresive like this..

because the regime in new delhi need to keep the citizens of india in fear so they won't question the failure of its infrastructure, education and economy.

this whole two-front war rubbish is just so laughable. as an agricultural country without a complete industrial base, how india is going to fight such war with China alone?

when we can launch cheap rockets from the border and hit new delhi, how india is going to handle this using its IAF? sending jet fighters into China? well, HQ missiles say hello.