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Making Indian Airspace Impregnable
He was the first Indian to fly Sukhois from Russia to India. He was part of the team during formation of the first Jaguar Squadron of the IAF and induction of Air Combat Simulator into the IAF that was first of its kind in Asia. An air warrior par excellence, he has been involved in devising air combat strategies and tactical planning. Being the supremo of all-important Western Air Command, adversaries of India would like to closely watch all the actions of such a skilled and sharp air combat leader. Among many 'firsts' to his credit, he was the first officer hailing from the North-East region to be appointed as the AOC-in-C. He is Air Marshal PK Barbora. He elaborates his broad perspectives about the area of his command and Indian Airforce to DJ Narain, Editor-in-Chief, Sainik Samachar.
Could you please elaborate upon the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force, in general, and about the Western Air Command, in particular?
The role of the Indian Air Force and Western Air Command, in particular, is two-fold. Firstly, to secure the skies of the nation and to ensure that the Indian air space is free from any threat, internally or externally. Secondly, a combat role during a war. We have done these two jobs very well since independence. Good defence ensures good economic development. So, in a way, we contribute to the growth and stability of the nation as well.
How do you secure the skies against any threat and intrusions?
The Indian Air Force has done its job very well. Firstly, we have procured latest air defence, detection and sensor equipment and radars to pick up any threats. We have procured them from many countries including the United States and Russia besides indigenous sources. In the recent years, we have beefed up our capability tremendously. These capabilities have given us eyes which can detect any threat far within our adversaries borders. Having these eyes, we are able to identify the aircraft as friend or foe on the ground itself, forget them getting airborne. When you identify your own people, including all our civil aircrafts and international traffic, detection gets simpler and IAF reacts faster.
We work closely with the civil Air Traffic Control. We have formed a joint group of Air Force personnel and the Airport Authority, called Joint Control and Analysis Centre (JCAC). There is a 24 x 7 monitoring of Indian air space now. We want to know who flies in Indian sky. If there is any aircraft entering, we enquire about it. If it is suspicious, we first declare it as a suspect aircraft. If it is not clarified, it is declared as a rogue aircraft and, finally, a threat aircraft. Meanwhile the information is flown backward to the committee formed at the higher level for further actions and decisions.
We have an Integrated Air Command and Control System (lACCS) which integrates the sector-wise monitoring of the skies. My controllers monitor the skies from one single point. We have a very senior level officer on round-the-clock basis directing the entire operations. This integration is rapidly increasing.
Had there been any air violations in the recent past?
Yes, there have been. Not necessarily by aircrafts, there has been UAVs as well which violate the skies, either intentionally or unintentionally. We don't fully know the motives at times. Whenever we have instances of detecting signals, we take it up immediately with our counterparts to avoid any forceful action. We ensure that it is not a threat. It could be a flying club aircraft as well. We take action keeping in view all the facts and threat perceptions. We always have to ensure that innocent lives do not get lost. But we are always alert 24X7. We often scramble jets as well. This is part of standard response mechanisms of the IAF.
What is the status of Aerospace Command?
It is a Tri-Service Command. We need to get the approval from the government. Modalities are to be framed to fix up roles to be played by different Services. It cannot be operated single-handedly. It has to be operated jointly, not only by the three Services, but also from the inputs from other agencies like ISRO because satellites are needed. We must synergise all the assets of the nation to be able to get the correct picture. We have established space cell in the Air Headquarters. Army and Navy also have similar cells and things are moving in the positive direction. Government would take action on the whole set-up. To be honest, the Government has always given what we want.
There has been serious fall in the number of aircrafts and the number of squadrons have come down. Has it impacted our Air Defence preparedness?
There has been slight depletion in numbers. But the issue is whether we have sleepless nights or not? No, it is not. I am not getting sleepless nights. I am getting good sleep. And the people of India can continue to have a good sleep. Our recent acquisitions have strengthened our force level. We will be getting our AWACS. Our air-to-air refuellers have a tremendous effect on our fighter squadrons. Now an aircraft can go from Bareily to North-East and do the work and come back to Bareily without landing anywhere. We save time and energy because of our capabilities. So we have balanced out numbers. We will never allow this depletion to impact upon our Air Defence preparedness. We are ready roun- the-clock.
Enhancement of life of the aircrafts?
See any aircraft, be it civil or military aircraft, has to pass through certain mandatory tests and certain mandatory replacement of components. Only when it meets all the requirements, Air Worthiness Certificate is given to fly the aircraft. Can you imagine we are still using MiG-21s. They are almost 40 years old. But phasing out of aircraft is a continuous process. In another five years, these aircrafts will be replaced with Multiple Combat Aircrafts. We will have Sukhois, Mirages, Jaguars and upgraded MiG 27s, then we will have MRCA's. Ten years from now, Indian Air Force would be a totally different air force.
As a Fighter Pilot yourself and as a Commander of the most active command, are you happy with the kind of support HAL is providing in terms of quality and services?
Yes. But I would say I am not fully satisfied. In my opinion they should devote little bit more time for catering to our needs. HAL is taking lots of orders from commercial civil aviation firms; we feel our needs should also be better taken care of.
You spoke about your machines in detail, what about the men who handle them?
Our boys are the most professionally qualified air warriors. When my boys go abroad, they prove their mettle and bring laurels to the Indian Air Force. Our people are very good with tremendous potential. I would cite one example. Once one of our IL-76s was to be grounded for nose change. Under normal circumstances, it should have taken 12 days for completion of this work. But keeping this machine grounded for this long would have caused problems. Our men took up the challenge. They planned and executed the work in just four days, and this proves the capability of our men. Devising new techniques and maintaining an ever-ready capability and posture for extremely hazardous air maintenance roles in support of our valiant ground troops, speaks volumes about the mettle of men and women of IAF.
How about air safety?
In general, I would say there has been a tremendous decline in the number of accidents. This I would attribute to the latest acquisitions, the technology and dedication of our men. We have created an awareness about our weak areas. We have been highly proactive to tackle threat from birds. Awareness among the public also has helped us.
How effective is IMMOLS?
Very effective. It is a logistic software. One can trace anything from anywhere. Once we needed a spare part for Jaguar in Shillong. Within an-hour-and-half we were able to find the spare lying in Gwalior. We were able to make the Jaguar fly in two days, otherwise it would have taken two months to get the spare. It is a very good medium. It is maturing very well.
Lastly, if the troops are happy they work better, if they work better they achieve better, so what is your mantra for making them happy?
My mantra is if I can get an air warrior from his residence with a smile on his face and make him go back home with the smile on his face, I am successful. I think I can extract more from him or her. IAF has taken many steps to improve the working environment and living conditions. It has helped a lot.
