Turf war: Army wants its own air force, IAF fumes

[Contrarian]

Turf war: Army wants its own air force, IAF fumes


NEW DELHI: The IAF may be fuming but the Army is hell bent on acquiring its own air force, with even attack helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, in the coming years.

Holding that the impending acquisition of 197 light helicopters to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleets in the fledgling Army Aviation Corps (AAC) is just the beginning, defence ministry sources said Army had projected "concrete" requirements for the 11th (2007-2012), 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans.

While IAF will continue to have its "strategic role", the Army wants its own air force for "tactical" roles.
As per plans, AAC wants to have a mix of reconnaissance, utility, tactical battle-support, armed and attack helicopters as well as tactical airlift fixed-wing aircraft.

IAF, of course, is aghast at all this. Senior IAF officers contend that "air assets" are "scarce resources" which should not be frittered away by a force (read Army) which lacks "air mindedness".

But the 1.13-million strong Army holds that IAF does not fully understand concepts like "close air support" for its troops on the battlefield, which incidentally led to bitter arguments between the two forces during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The Army obviously wants "full command and control" over "tactical air assets" for rapid deployment as per its needs. The plan is to have aviation brigades "integral" to its six regional commands, with at least a squadron of utility helicopters with each of the 13 corps.

The three "strike" corps, the principle offensive formations of Army with HQs at Mathura (1 Corps), Ambala (2 Corps) and Bhopal (21), will get much more.

They will each have two squadrons of attack helicopters, one utility helicopter squadron and two reconnaissance and observation squadrons.

At present, the main focus is on the induction of the 197 light helicopters, which will be procured from a foreign manufacturer at a cost of over $600 million.

Primarily meant for operations in mountains and high-altitude areas like Siachen, 67 of these helicopters will be bought off-the-shelf, while the rest will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd under transfer of technology.
The Army is also looking for around 80 medium-lift utility helicopters like the Russian Mi-17V-5s, which can swiftly react and transport 20-25 fully-equipped soldiers to the combat zone.

Next on the list is progressive induction of the indigenously manufactured 'Dhruv' advanced light helicopters. The AAC already has three Dhruv squadrons, with three more planned for induction in the 11th Plan and the seventh one in the 12th Plan.

The AAC is also gearing up to induct "armed" Dhruvs, with the "weaponisation" of these helicopters already underway and the delivery target being set for 2009-2010.

The aim is to induct six such squadrons for anti-tank and close air support operations. Full-fledged "attack" helicopters, in turn, are planned for the 12th Plan to provide "dedicated support" to mechanised forces with tanks and infantry combat vehicles.

Turf war: Army wants its own air force, IAF fumes-India-The Times of India

 

[Flintlock]

This obvious lack of cooperation between the forces isn't making the country any safer.

The best way out is to put the entire military establishment under one general. Its about time they got a unified command in place.

 

[Contrarian]

Put it under one general and you will see a ******** coup ala Pakistan.

There should be a political post as a central node of the three forces, not a military one. That would solve the problem while taking care of the threat of a coup.

In anycase, i support army's view that it needs a air assets as well. The army most definitely needs attack choppers, medium lift choppers, surveillance choppers, utility choppers and SOME fixed wing transport aircraft like the proposed Indo-Russian MTA.

The army cannot constantly keep requesting the IAF for these assets. These are integral to the army's operations and low intesity conflicts where assets are required at short notice.

The airforce OTOH, should keep the strategic airlift, the army should be given a few MTA's for example or Il's for tactical transport.

 

[Flintlock]

Put it under one general and you will see a ******** coup ala Pakistan.

There should be a political post as a central node of the three forces, not a military one. That would solve the problem while taking care of the threat of a coup.

In anycase, i support army's view that it needs a air assets as well. The army most definitely needs attack choppers, medium lift choppers, surveillance choppers, utility choppers and SOME fixed wing transport aircraft like the proposed Indo-Russian MTA.

The army cannot constantly keep requesting the IAF for these assets. These are integral to the army's operations and low intesity conflicts where assets are required at short notice.

The airforce OTOH, should keep the strategic airlift, the army should be given a few MTA's for example or Il's for tactical transport.

I don't see how a unified command will lead to a coup. Political institutions in India are mature enough to handle a unified armed forces, unlike Pakistan, where the military was and still is the only functioning national institution.

If India was in danger of a coup, it would have happened a long time ago.

According to me it underlines the lack of coordination between forces. Army should defenitely have transport planes and attack choppers, but the fighter jet squadron is a troubling sign.
The processes should be streamlined and there should be seamless operational integration between the forces.

There is already a political post at the head of the force...the defence minister. However, the minister doesn't know the first thing about planning and executing a war. Having a uniformed officer at the head of the forces will make the attack much more effective.

 

[Contrarian]

I don't see how a unified command will lead to a coup. Political institutions in India are mature enough to handle a unified armed forces, unlike Pakistan, where the military was and still is the only functioning national institution.

Yes, i agree teh democractic foundations in India are very very strong, but for the sake of security i would say, we should let democracy flourish for a 100 years, as it evolves and matures slowly before taking such a step.

If India was in danger of a coup, it would have happened a long time ago.

During the initial decades our intel agencies only task was to make sure that there was not going to be a coup in India ala Pakistan. The entire intel apparatus was tuned inwards just for this.

According to me it underlines the lack of coordination between forces. Army should defenitely have transport planes and attack choppers, but the fighter jet squadron is a troubling sign.

I dont think they are asking for jet sqdrns. They just asked for varities of choppers and transport planes.
I think they should get all the choppers and UAV's they need, and a couple of transport planes under the C-130J category(/MTA) per command for tactical airlift, not more than that.

The processes should be streamlined and there should be seamless operational integration between the forces.

There is already a political post at the head of the force...the defence minister. However, the minister doesn't know the first thing about planning and executing a war. Having a uniformed officer at the head of the forces will make the attack much more effective.

Yes, but i have reservations, anyway the CDS issue is all but dead. Its not happening.

 

[yarmook]

Well ,
apart from your waste argument of dragging Pakistan in almost everything you discuss. Shows how much you are afraid of Pakistan Army.


I am not sure, but to add here in the thread, Pakistan Army already maintains its attack and defensive punch of Cobra Helicopters since first acquired back in 80s. For close tactical battle support. Pakistan Army enjoys deployment of its attack helicopters. And also close support of PAF F-7 and A-5 for close tactical support.

As per my old information the attack helicopters were available with Indian Airforce but not with Indian Army.
I think Indians got this thought quite after time has elapsed.

cheers

 

[Flintlock]

Well ,
apart from your waste argument of dragging Pakistan in almost everything you discuss. Shows how much you are afraid of Pakistan Army.

No dear, we're just using Pakistan as an example of what might go wrong if the military is given too much power!!

Don't mean to be rude, but it is a good example isn't it?