Dark Angel
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct nearly 200 combat jets over the coming decade to gain overwhelming air superiority against Pakistan, senior officials said in New Delhi last week.
Officials of the IAFs New Delhi-based Western Air Command the forces main fighting formation said India currently had a slight edge over the Pakistan Air Forces defensive and strike capabilities.
With the induction of new Su-30MKI and Mirage 2000-5 jets, the IAF plans to create a deterrent that will prevent Pakistan from carrying out any misadventures along the western borders, they said.
The aircraft of the Western Air Command are adequate for dealing with existing Pakistani threats. Subsequently, we want to create an overwhelming superiority. This can be the biggest deterrence, said one official.
During the 10-month military standoff that ended last month, India fielded 23 squadrons of combat jets with some 272 aircraft against Pakistans deployment of 17 squadrons with some 200 jets.
This resulted in a ratio of 1:1.3 in favour of India, but we would like it to be better, the official said.
India will induct 50 Russian-made Su-30MKI jets over the next two years and plans to build 140 more of these aircraft under licence over the next decade.
The IAF plans to acquire more Heron and Searcher unmanned spy planes from Israel to bolster its reconnaissance capabilities. These aircraft will be capable of carrying heavier payloads than the spy planes already in service with the IAF.
The force is also set to acquire three airborne warning and control aircraft and six Il-78 in-flight refuelling aircraft that will increase the range of the Su-30MKI from 3,000 km to about 5,200 km.
At the same time, the IAF is working to change the technological profile of its combat and support aircraft.
Only about 30 percent of our strike force comprises hi-tech aircraft like the Su-30s or Mirage 2000s. This figure will be increased to 50 percent, an official said.
The IAF officials were speaking ahead of a conference of commanders of the western command. The meeting reviewed the commands performance during Operation Parakram, the Indian militarys codename for the mobilisation along the Pakistan border.
There will be a review of plans for the quick mobilisation of aircraft, radars and missiles to earmarked areas. It will allow us to fine-tune our planning and tactics, said an official.
During Operation Parakram, the western command worked extensively with the Indian Army for joint operations. Unmanned spy planes like the Heron and Searcher, acquired over the past few years from Israel, were used to pinpoint targets like enemy radars, bridges, supply depots and communication facilities.
We also trained for helicopter-borne operations with the armys Special Forces. We have the capability to strike across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and our ability to strike at greater depths within enemy territory will increase in the coming years, said an official.
India to have overwhelming air superiority against Pakistan,Security Issues, News Analysis, India News Online
Officials of the IAFs New Delhi-based Western Air Command the forces main fighting formation said India currently had a slight edge over the Pakistan Air Forces defensive and strike capabilities.
With the induction of new Su-30MKI and Mirage 2000-5 jets, the IAF plans to create a deterrent that will prevent Pakistan from carrying out any misadventures along the western borders, they said.
The aircraft of the Western Air Command are adequate for dealing with existing Pakistani threats. Subsequently, we want to create an overwhelming superiority. This can be the biggest deterrence, said one official.
During the 10-month military standoff that ended last month, India fielded 23 squadrons of combat jets with some 272 aircraft against Pakistans deployment of 17 squadrons with some 200 jets.
This resulted in a ratio of 1:1.3 in favour of India, but we would like it to be better, the official said.
India will induct 50 Russian-made Su-30MKI jets over the next two years and plans to build 140 more of these aircraft under licence over the next decade.
The IAF plans to acquire more Heron and Searcher unmanned spy planes from Israel to bolster its reconnaissance capabilities. These aircraft will be capable of carrying heavier payloads than the spy planes already in service with the IAF.
The force is also set to acquire three airborne warning and control aircraft and six Il-78 in-flight refuelling aircraft that will increase the range of the Su-30MKI from 3,000 km to about 5,200 km.
At the same time, the IAF is working to change the technological profile of its combat and support aircraft.
Only about 30 percent of our strike force comprises hi-tech aircraft like the Su-30s or Mirage 2000s. This figure will be increased to 50 percent, an official said.
The IAF officials were speaking ahead of a conference of commanders of the western command. The meeting reviewed the commands performance during Operation Parakram, the Indian militarys codename for the mobilisation along the Pakistan border.
There will be a review of plans for the quick mobilisation of aircraft, radars and missiles to earmarked areas. It will allow us to fine-tune our planning and tactics, said an official.
During Operation Parakram, the western command worked extensively with the Indian Army for joint operations. Unmanned spy planes like the Heron and Searcher, acquired over the past few years from Israel, were used to pinpoint targets like enemy radars, bridges, supply depots and communication facilities.
We also trained for helicopter-borne operations with the armys Special Forces. We have the capability to strike across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and our ability to strike at greater depths within enemy territory will increase in the coming years, said an official.
India to have overwhelming air superiority against Pakistan,Security Issues, News Analysis, India News Online
