Potential of SEAD operations in the IAF

[Derolo]

More realistic SEAD will be carried out on our western borders not eastern borders.

 

[DrSomnath999]

Why are we forgetting role of Garuds & Paras in destroying enemy air defence systems. Sabotaging SAM sites is part of their training syllabus.

IMO
very risky proposal

one shouldnot equate themselves with what US navy seals did in abbotabad

PLus attacking naval base through MARCOS does make sense but SEAD through Garuds very risky

CHEERS

 

[DrSomnath999]

Someone give this man a positive rating or ten

Sir aap bhi doctor ho ?

ab "Dr" likha huin tho doctor hein hunga naah

lord of 32 teeth

"BHI "ka kya matlab hey kya aap bhi doctor ho kya??

CHEERS

 

[DrSomnath999]

More realistic SEAD will be carried out on our western borders not eastern borders.

(IMO)
very sensible & logical post

eastern border SEAD would be tough nut to crack for both IAF & IA

their Airdefences are damn strong & powerful than Green neighbours

CHEERS

 

[sancho]

The bigger issue is the lack of a dedicated stand off or stand in jammer. Despite its sophisticated nature, the Rafale would provide inferior in this role as compared to a dedicated EW variant of the Su-30MKI.. and the IAF would do well to look into the matter .

Comparable to the ALQ 99 for sure, but then again, you have to keep in mind that hardly any Air Force other than the US or Israeli currently have such capabilities operational (not sure if the Su 34 EW version is fully inducted yet). The bulk of the NATO SEAD forces for example include mainly F16CJs, Tornado GR4s or even older fighters, with dedicated EW / ESM pods and anti radiation missiles. The IAF has similar capabilities today, with dedicated ESM / targeting pods to provide the Kh31 with credible target data, while they also have Israeli or indigenously developed self protection jamming pods, similar to the once the Tornado or F16 uses.

The next logically step is to move ahead to dedicated EW varients and more powerful jammers, which from what we have seen from DARE and the Russians is more than likely with the next MKI upgrade.

Wrt Rafale I would disagree to an extend! SPECTRA, is not only an EWS that is meant for the defensive role to protect the fighter only, but uses it's detection, targeting and jamming capabilities also in offensive ways. In Libya it reportedly was used for offensive jamming to at least confuse ground radars during missions, just as to provide AASM with the necessary target data to attack radar or SAM sites. That gave it the capability to operate without the support of US SEAD fighters with escort jammers. Sure that might not be enough to counter the threats on our eastern borders, but should prove to be even superior to the current MKI ESM / ECM capabilities, or F16CJ / Tornado Gr4 once in NATO forces. The next upgrade step for SPECTRA with GaN jammers makes it only more capable in this field and sooner or later Thales might include AESA jamming features to the RBE 2 AESA too, as an EA capabilitly, similar to what we already see under development for US fighters or the EF in future. So the use of dedicated jamming pods might be reduced by the improvements of integrated jamming capabilities, just as the use of dedicated ESM pods, is today not necessary anymore with advanced EW suits offering the same too.

Rafales main disadvantage for India / in the Indian scenario is the limited range AASM 250 offers, while that could be countered by combined MKI+ Kh31 / Rafale + AASM tactics. On the other side, Scalp should add an important additional capability to attack long range high value SEAD targets. Key radar stations that are far beyond the border areas should belong to the first targets for air launched and land based cruise missiles. This could be followed by a wide spread drone attack as you and Spark mentioned earlier, while actual SEAD operations closer to the borders would start only in a later stages of a conflict, where the risk for manned fighters is reduced.

 

[Derolo]

(IMO)
very sensible & logical post

eastern border SEAD would be tough nut to crack for both IAF & IA

their Airdefences are damn strong & powerful than Green neighbours

CHEERS

Completely true.

Considering we don't even fire bullets on the eastern border why would we send state of the art fighter to launch state of the art missiles/bombs to destroy state of the art air defence systems.

Rather launch a laser guided bomb on a AA position on the western border.

 

[Juggernautjatt]

IMO
very risky proposal

one shouldnot equate themselves with what US navy seals did in abbotabad

PLus attacking naval base through MARCOS does make sense but SEAD through Garuds very risky

CHEERS

It is risky sir but one should not forget the fact that special forces are created & trained only for critical & risky missions. They are not meant for face to face fighting like regular infantry. Rescuing pilots ejected in enemy territory & demolishing enemy SAMs are primary assignments of their duty during war. Our special forces may not be as capable as SEALs but they are certainly one of the toughest & well trained commandos in the world. They can be useful for sabotaging SAMs located near border because it is easy for them to penetrate & flee due to short distance from friendly lines. MI-17 V5s are best way for dropping commandos because they could fly below radar cover at night to reach insertion point undetected.
Secondly we also have another option for SEAD/DEAD missions that is to use attack helicopters like Rudra & LCH or Apache (in future) for SAM sites situated not far away from friendly lines. For example during starting phase of first Gulf war on 17 January 1991 at 2.30AM, two teams of US Apaches totally destroyed two Iraqi radar stations, creating a 10-kilometer-wide path through which allied fighters and bombers could approach Iraqi targets undetected. Separately they were also used to destroy Soviet-built early warning Flat Eye, Squat Eye and Spoon Rest intercept radars, along with tropospheric scatter, command and control vans and associated equipment.

Gulf War 20th: Apache Raid | Defense Media Network