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The IAF has strengthened its arsenal with advanced weaponry, following the aftermath of Operation Balakot and subsequent skirmishes with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The induction of French Rafale fighter jets, indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) like Prachand, and C-295 transport aircraft, integration of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles with Sukhoi fighter jets, along with the addition of Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) to the Rafale fleet, has significantly enhanced the IAF’s combat capabilities.

Additionally, the acquisition of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missiles and the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-air missile has augmented the IAF’s air defence capabilities. The deployment of the LCA ‘Tejas’ aircraft, particularly along the western and northern frontiers, underscores India’s commitment to leveraging indigenous technology for defence preparedness.

Demonstrating proactive stance in countering regional threats against the backdrop of strained relations with China, intensified by clashes in the Galwan Valley, the IAF’s swift response and deployments such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in Eastern Ladakh, Rafale jets conducting long-duration flights in the Indian Ocean Region  underscores the importance of readiness and preparedness in safeguarding national interests.

Gaganshakti-2024 followed in the footsteps of Vayu Shakti, a mega firepower demonstration conducted by the IAF in the Thar desert.

Serving as a testament to India’s evolving defence capabilities and its resolve to meet emerging security challenges head-on, Gaganshakti-2024 highlighted network-centric operations, incorporating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and swarm drones, in line with evolving combat doctrines.

READ MORE: DEFENCE REVIEW 2023 – IAF Indigenisation and Atmanirbharta Efforts

As part of the ongoing exercise Gagan Shakti-24, IAF aircraft recently operated from the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in the northern sector in Kashmir valley. A large number of troops were airlifted and subsequently, air landed utilising Chinook, Mi-17 V5 and ALH Mk-III helicopters by night. IAF plans to practice similar drills in coordination with different state governments for the activation of ELFs in other sectors too.

The purpose of these exercises is to give a platform for various air forces to engage in the exchange of knowledge, the sharing of best practices, the accomplishment of joint training, and the formation of personal relationships, all of which serve as vital intangibles in the process of developing synergy during joint operations.

Last Exercise for MiG-21s

This was the last major exercise in which the MiG-21 Bisons participated ahead of their upcoming retirement. The MiG-21, India’s first supersonic fighter whose induction began in 1963, will be pulled out of service by 2025. IAF currently operates only two MiG-21 squadrons — the No.3 or Cobras at Nal near Bikaner and No.23 or Panthers at Suratgarh, both in Rajasthan. A squadron consists of 16 to 18 fighter jets. Both squadrons operate the MiG-21 Bison, the last variant of the single-engine workhorse.

Despite the West’s effort to malign MIG-21, it lasted 70 years. No other fighter plane can boast of that long life. As of the start of 2024, 14 nations operate a total of roughly 225 MiG-21s in service.

IAF has operated a raft of MiG-21 variants — Type 74 or MiG 21F, Type 76 or MiG 21PF, Type 77 or MiG 21FL, Type 96 or MiG 21M, Type 75 or MiG 21 Bis (upgraded Type 96) and the MiG-21 Bison.

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The test and signifies a leap forward in India’s aviation capabilities. Equipped with advanced electronic radar, warfare, communication systems, enhanced combat capability, and improved maintenance features, the Tejas Mk1A promises to bolster the country’s defence capabilities.

With an advanced electronic radar, warfare, communication systems, smart multi-function displays (SMFD), advanced self-protection jammer, electronic warfare suite, additional combat capability and improved maintenance features, the Tejas Mk1A will also have an indigenous Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC), developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru.

Planned to be deployed at Nal air base in Rajasthan’s Bikaner near the Pakistan border, the first squadron of the Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft can take care of the western adversary. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has got clearance to buy a total of 180 of these jets and is looking to get the first aircraft soon. The IAF already had 40 LCAs of the original IOC (initial operational clearance) and FOC (final operational clearance) version.  And with this variant in the long run, it is expected that the strength of the IAF fighters will go up to 220 LCA Mark 1As. This means that IAF will have almost 10 squadrons of the indigenous fighter jets.

An ideal fit to fill in, given the phasing out of the MiG 21 and MiG 27, these light combat jets are designed, developed and manufactured indigenously and have more than 65 percent of indigenous components. In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000-crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mark 1A jets for the IAF.

Tender to Buy 97 Tejas Mk-1A Issued

The defence ministry has issued a tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for procurement of 97 more light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) Tejas. The fighter jets are expected to cost around Rs 65,000 crore.

Last year in November, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had cleared the project to acquire 97 more Tejas jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Defence Acquisition Council also approved a proposal of the IAF to upgrade its Su-30 fighter fleet by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

The tender, issued in August, will equip the IAF with 180 home-grown fighters to replace the MiG variants like MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 that are on their last leg after decades of service.

HAL has been given three months to respond to the new tender. It is set to be the largest ever order for indigenous military hardware to be placed by the Indian government. The new LCA Mk1A jets is expected to have more than 65 percent indigenous content. The Defence Ministry has already placed an order for 83 Tejas Mk1A jets in Feb 2021 worth Rs 47,500 crore and the first aircraft is expected to be delivered within a few weeks.

In March 2024, the first Tejas LCA Mk1A (LA 5033) took to the skies in Bengaluru and flew for 18 minutes. The aircraft will have an advanced electronic RADAR, warfare suite, communication systems, additional combat capability and improved maintenance features. In a statement, the state-owned aircraft manufacturer had said that “the country could look forward to early induction of the Tejas Mk1A by the IAF and more numbers through the three lines of production established at HAL.”

After HAL completes the previous contract of delivering 83 similar aircraft, the delivery of the 97 combat jets will start. The features in these aircraft will be much more than what the first 40 Tejas LCA that the IAF has been flying. The Cabinet Committee on Security has also approved the design and development of a home-grown fifth generation fighter aircraft known as AMCA or Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. Also in the works is a naval version of the LCA.

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These upgrades include not just construction of new underground munition centres, hardened aircraft shelters and taxiways but also upgradation of navigational aids, besides setting up of new radars and base defence systems.

While the plans were already in motion, the military tensions with China since 2020 has led to a more faster and focussed approach. They explained that even as the tensions with China was just beginning in May 2020, the defence ministry had signed a Rs 1,200 crore contract with Tata Power SED (TPSED) for Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI) of 37 airfields for IAF, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

This was a follow-on program to MAFI Phase 1 that included upgradation of 30 airfields of IAF. The project included installation and commissioning of modern airfield equipment like Cat-II Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Cat II Air Field Lightning System (AFLS) among others, which were directly connected to Air Traffic Control (ATC).

There has also been an increase of infrastructure projects. These infrastructure projects were always on the cards, and work was initiated on some of these airfields prior to the stand-off with China. The work involved not just repair of runways and creation of additional taxi ways to enable better tempo of operations, the stand-off has led to increased need for storage of spare parts and munitions. Across air bases, the focus is to have hardened underground munition centres.

New radars have been set up at some bases close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), besides increase in defensive capabilities. One of the reasons for new infrastructure building is also to cater to drones operations.

The Army has created integrated aviation Brigades which have seen a larger concentration of drones and helicopters in specific areas. They are based at IAF bases, which also cater to IAF’s own set of drones.

The activation showcased the high level of synergy and liaison between civil agencies such as National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administration, state police and the IAF towards conduct of complex multifaceted activities.

ALG Upgrades

Following the approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in June 2009, the IAF took up a project to upgrade eight ALGs in Arunachal Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore which have since been operationalsied. The eight ALGs in Arunachal Pradesh include Tuting, Mechuka, Along, Tawang, Ziro, Pasighat, Walong and Vijaynagar. In addition, several new emergency landing strips were developed on national highways across the country. Further, the ALG Nyoma, located at an altitude of about 13,700 feet, is now being converted into a full runway of over 9,000 feet, making it capable of handling fighter jets. Work which commenced last August is expected to be ready by 2025. The ALG at Daulat Beg Oldi at an altitude of 16,700 feet, located very close to the LAC, is very critical for aerial connectivity to the Sub-Sector North.

Emergency Landing Facilities

On March 18, IAF fighter and transport aircraft carried out operations on an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) airstrip on National Highway 16 near Addanki in Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh.

Su-30 and Hawk fighters successfully carried out overshoots during the activation, while An-32 and Dornier transport aircraft landed and subsequently took off from the strip. The activation showcased the high level of synergy and liaison between civil agencies such as National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administration, state police and the IAF towards conduct of complex multifaceted activities.

Previously, such an activation was conducted on December 29, 2022. The 4.1 km long and 33 metre wide concrete airstrip has been constructed by the NHAI as per specifications provided by the IAF. While other airstrips are already operational in various parts of the country, this ELF in Andhra Pradesh has been recently operationalised in peninsular India.

ELF highway airstrips enhance flexibility of air operations during contingencies and are invaluable assets during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in far flung areas. IAF, with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) are working jointly for creation of ELFs at suitable locations.

READ MORE: IAF MODERNISATION – Airbus C-295 Transport Aircraft Inducted

Earlier on 1 April, the IAF conducted emergency landing trial runs of both fighter jets and helicopters on the newly constructed 3.5-kilometre emergency landing facility in Anantnag, South Kashmir. The exercise took place during the night time and aimed to test the facility’s readiness and effectiveness in handling various emergency scenarios.

The emergency landing facility, constructed for Rs 119 crore, is strategically located on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway at Bijbehara. It is designed to support operations during times of war, natural disasters, and other emergencies, including relief material air drops and transportation of stranded individuals. The completion of this facility marks a crucial milestone in enhancing the region’s emergency response capabilities.

Work on the project started in 2020 and was completed in late 2023 under a program carried out jointly by the IAF and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for the creation of ELFs at different locations across the country.

Situated along the bustling Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, this emergency landing strip boasts essential amenities tailored to cater to the needs of fighter aircraft. Among its features are designated parking slots ensuring swift and organized deployment, an air traffic control (ATC) tower to manage incoming and outgoing flights seamlessly, and two entry gates positioned at either end of the strip on the highway, facilitating efficient access and egress for aircraft operations.

The trial runs involved the participation of various aircraft, including Sukhoi fighter jets and Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters. The exercises showcased the precision and capability of these aircraft in utilizing the emergency landing facility, emphasising their readiness for emergencies.

Night Landing at Kargil

An IA C-130 Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft made a night landing at the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Kargil on 7 January, employing terrain masking enroute, the exercise also dovetailed a training mission of the Garud special forces team.

This successful night landing at such a strategic location not only underscores the heightened capabilities of the Indian Air Force but also serves as a testament to their dedication to operational excellence and preparedness in challenging terrains.

Earlier the transport aircraft had been landing at Kargil during the day and this was the first night landing. Located at an altitude of around 10,000 feet, the ALG is a restricted airstrip with unidirectional approach surrounded by rough terrain. It also does not have night landing facilities. This demonstrates the capability to carry out specialised missions round the clock in this area.

As the only airstrip in this area, the Kargil ALG is significant and critical for any exigency. In Jammu and Kashmir, the IAF has full-fledged airfields at Srinagar, Awantipora, Udhampur and Jammu. In Ladakh, the IAF has airfields at Leh and Thoise and ALGs at Nyoma, Fukche and Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO). In the last decade, the Defence Ministry has reactivated a series of ALGs close to the border, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

READ MORE:DEFENCE REVIEW 2023 – IAF Operations and Exercises

C-130J Super Hercules

The IAF’s C-130J Super Hercules demonstrated its remarkable versatility in April 2023 during a daring night rescue mission in Sudan. Currently, the IAF operates 12 C-130J aircraft, stationed at the 77 Squadron at Hindan and the 87 ‘Wings of Valour’ Squadron at Panagarh. The C-130J is a highly integrated and sophisticated airlifter designed to support India’s special operations requirements. Equipped with an infrared detection set, it can perform precision low-level flying, airdrops, and landings in blackout conditions. Featuring self-protection systems and other advanced capabilities, the C-130J ensures survivability in hostile air defence environments. Additionally, the aircraft has air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended-range operations. Beyond its role as a transport aircraft, the C-130J carries out a diverse range of missions, including special operations, aerial refueling, search and rescue, paradrop, electronic surveillance, and weather reconnaissance.

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The following measures have been instituted to support indigenisation of spares and systems:

Positive Indigenisation List: In pursuance of India’s endeavor for self-reliance, Ministry of Defence is promulgating ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ at periodic intervals. The fifth PIL was released in October with 98 items, out of which 13 pertain to IAF.

Srijan Defence Web Portal: A list of 630 spares has been uploaded on www.srijandefence.gov.in website towards seeking feasibility for indigenous development. 78 companies have shown interest so far.

Inter Governmental Agreement: An IGA was signed in September between India & Russia for enabling manufacture of Russian Origin Spares in India. A series of JVs have been signed by Indian companies towards fructification of the same.

Industry Outreach: To bring together the users from the IAF and the Indian Defence industry representatives to discuss, identify and understand problem areas, Industry Outreach was planned by undertaking visits to IAF bases. Two Industry Outreach events were conducted at Air Force Station Bareilly and Air Force Station Pune in September and October respectively. The station authorities organized the visit, providing guided tours to various sections within the Station. Industry representatives were given the chance to engage in discussions and Q&A sessions with Air Force experts in their respective fields, facilitating knowledge exchange and networking.

Space Industry Outreach: Of the total 29 DefSpace challenges pertaining to IAF (12 iDEX and 17 Make challenges), High Power Steering Committee (HPSC) meeting for 12 iDEX has been concluded. iDEX winners for eight DefSpace Challenges and one open challenge were announced in October. Selection of winners for the four iDEX DefSpace challenges is under progress at DIO. Feasibility study for the Make I and II DefSpace challenges are under progress. PDC for completion of Feasibility Study for all Make challenges is 31 Dec 23.

Signing of MoUs: IAF entered into 21 MoUs with Academia, Educational Institutes and DRDO labs for cooperation and promotion of R&D in areas of mutual interest.

Indigenisation of CU of LLLWR: To achieve self-reliance in the maintenance and upkeep of the IAF’s Low Level Light Weight Radars, a contract for design and development of three critical components was signed with BEL. The high altitude field trial of one such component was completed successfully. The case for procurement of these is now under progress.

Indigenisation of Parachutes: Almost 90-95% of pilot parachutes and brake parachutes in use by IAF have been indigenised by ADRDE within a timeframe of two years.

ALSO READ: DEFENCE REVIEW 2023 – Indian Navy Modernisation and Indigenisation

Indigenous ‘Miniature Detonating Cord’: The firing trials of the indigenous Miniature Detonating Cord (MDC) for the Hawk Aircraft Canopy Severance System were successfully completed in November. Airworthiness clearance for use on fleet is under progress. The effort will mitigate delays in supplies of imported MDC.

Modification of Electric Operating Fire Extinguisher Cartridges: The modification was successfully completed through OF, Khamaria and AQAW(A), Khamaria to address quality issues of earlier design. The modified carts were inducted in service in July.

Development of Unexploded Ordnance Handling Robot: Project on development of UXOR for disposal of UXOs with the technique of water cutting jet was pursued with R&DE (Engg), Pune. Three prototypes had been developed based on approved ASQRs. Procurement of UXOR was taken up through FTP route. Contract has been signed with Hi-Tech Robotics Systemz Ltd, Gurugram for UXORs in September.

MRSAM: Five Firing Units and one training centre of MRSAM system have been commissioned in IAF in this year. System has been successfully deployed.

Project SAMAR: IAF has successfully indigenised the prototype of ground based platform for firing Air-to-Air missile under project SAMAR. Fabrication of SAMAR Firing Units (FUs) have been successfully completed this year. SAMAR FUs were delivered to field units and firing is planned in Dec 23.

Self-Reliance Plans: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in inability to send major aggregates like the aero-engines, critical avionics and specialist wpns abroad for Repairs and Overhaul. To mitigate the situation, 44 shortlisted projects pertaining to Russian Fighter, Transport and Helicopters are being progressed through OCPP under the following categories:

Life Extension.

Development and execution of ROH technologies for Airframes, Electro-Mechanical rotables, avionics, EW systems of AN 32, Mi Series helicopters.

Repair and refurbishment of Russian ALMs and Russian aero engines and avionics.

Replacement of avionic aggregates.

A comprehensive self-reliance plan to engage the Defence Industrial Corridors at Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu has been chalked out. Regular interaction has been established with UPEIDA and feasibility to identify the domain specialists, academia and MSMEs/Industry partners is being explored. A meeting with Tier-I industries of TIDCO was conducted in September at Chennai to highlight the indigenisation projects under OCPP with the IAF team led by AOM. The industries were appraised in detail on the indigenisation requirements of IAF. The team visited Research Park at IIT Chennai on 13 Sep 23 and interacted with the potential Industry partners who could take on the task.

New Acquisitions and Trials

A-321 aircraft: Pre-owned Airbus A-321 were acquired by DRDO from Air India for AEW&C role. They are available for utilisation by IAF before they are modified. Aircraft and aircrew were made operational at the earliest and IAF has commenced the Courier operations since May 2023. The A-321 scheduled flights to Srinagar, Guwahati and Bagdogra have augmented IA movement plan and the courier ops from Kolkata, Chennai and Port Blair has benefitted the ANC AoR.  MoU for handling by Air India at all IAF and Non IAF bases has been signed.

C-295 aircraft: First C-295 MW aircraft arrived in India on 20 Sep 23 and was inducted into the IAF on 25 Sep 23. The ageing Avro aircraft would be replaced by C-295 MW aircraft. With the delivery of remaining ac from May 24 onwards, the first unit is likely to be functional by end of year 2024. The induction of C-295 fleet will boost IAF’s airlift capability and increase the versatility of ground forces.

LCA Mk1 Twin Seater Delivery: Delivery of Twin Seaters, LCA Mk1 IOC and FOC contracts have commenced.   PM flew in SPT-1 with Gp Capt D Mandal on 25 Nov 23. He was the first PM to fly a fighter aircraft.

ALSO READ: DEFENCE REVIEW 2023 – Army’s Operations and Transformation Milestones

HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft: HTT-40 is a basic trainer aircraft used for training of ab-initio pilots. The aircraft is indigenously designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The contract for supply of HTT-40 was signed on 06 Mar 2023.  As per contract, deliveries of the aircraft will start from Sep 2025.

Dornier-228 Aircraft: Dornier-228 is light weight transport Aircraft utilized by IAF for communication, route transport and casualty evacuation. It is manufactured locally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). A contract for supply of Dornier-228 Aircraft and associated equipment was signed on 10 Mar 2023.

Digital Receiver-118 (DR-118) RWR for Su-30 MKI aircraft: A contract for Digital Receiver-118 (DR-118) RWR for Su-30 ac along with associated equipment has been signed with M/s BEL, BC on 23 Mar 23.

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The biennial event which completed its 14th edition in Bengaluru witnessed the largest participation of the contingent from the United States of America for the first time ever in Aero India.

Aerobatics performed by the metal birds enthralled the onlookers who had gathered in huge numbers on the last day at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in the city. India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, light combat helicopters and light utility helicopters developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited were part of the show.

Besides, Rafale jets and Sukhoi aircrafts put up an impressive show during the event.
However, the most notable was the presence of F-35, B-1B Lancers, the F-16 and F-18 which too participated in the show.

Sorties by vintage aircrafts, aerobatics by Surya Kiran team of the IAF, which flew the Hawk aircrafts and Sarang (meaning peacock in Sanskrit) display team of the IAF using the HAL developed Dhruv helicopters left the audience spellbound.

The five-day event saw a number of seminars such as Manthan and Bandhan where deliberations were held on a range of subjects including India’s self-reliance programme, indigenous development of futuristic aerospace technology, India’s space initiatives, advancement in maritime surveillance system, investment opportunities in Karnataka.

There was a huge turnout at the exhibitions and displays by various companies during the show. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Indian Space Research Organisation, Bharat Electronics Limited, Defence Research and Development Organisation were among those who put up their stalls.

As many as 266 partnerships including 201 MoUs, 53 major announcements and nine product launches were firmed up at the Aero India that could unlock business potentials worth around Rs 80,000 crore. The MoUs included one between Hindustan Aeronautics and Safran Helicopter Engines of France for work share for formation of joint venture for design, development, manufacture and life time support of helicopter engines.

The agreements and the MoUs were formally signed at an event titled “Bandhan” ceremony that was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, top leaders of Indian defence industries and senior military officials.

“The Bandhan ceremony also witnessed the forging of 266 partnerships including 201 MoUs, 53 major announcements, nine product launches and three Transfers of Technology (ToT), worth around Rs 80,000 crore,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

The Bharat Electronics Ltd and Aeronautical Development Agency also inked an MoU for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The product launches at Aero India included the vertically launched short range surface-to-air missile (Bharat Dynamics Ltd).

It is a next-generation, ship-based, all-weather, air defence weapon which can be used by the Navy as a quick reaction defence against supersonic sea skimming targets such as aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The missile has a smokeless propulsion system with all-weather capability. It has a highly agile configuration with state-of-the-art electronic counter-measures features.

Another significant product launch was of the semi-active laser seeker based anti-tank guided missile developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited. The missile weighs 23 kgs with the launch tube, and can be used in different kinds of terrains to incapacitate moving and stationary targets such as tanks and infantry combat vehicles.

Another major landmark at the Aero India 2023 was the participation by Israel this year which marked 30 years of Indo-Israel defence collaboration. SIBAT, the International Defence Collaboration Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defence, is in charge of fostering defence cooperation between Israel and India. The show saw the demonstration of some defence technologies developed by Israel including Air Defence Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Aerial and Ground Precise Guided Munitions, Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems, Land and Naval Solutions, Avionic Systems, Air and Missile Defence Systems.

In a major boost to indigenous defence industry, the CMD of Munitions India Limited, Ravi Kant said that the company has got orders for more than 10 lakh multi-mode grenades for Indian armed forces and over Rs 3,000 crores of orders for exports.

The 14th edition of Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Force station complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 february and it saw participation of over 700 defence firms and representatives of around 100 countries.

The defence minister said that Aero India showcased to the world the ‘New Defence Sector’ of ‘New India’, which has not only grown in the last few years, but is now fully ready to walk alongside the defence sectors of leading countries.

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“After being launched from a Su-30 fighter aircraft, the missile hit the target ship in the centre. It was a test of the anti-ship version of the air-launched version of the missile,” said Defence officials. The missile achieved the desired mission objectives in the Bay of Bengal region. With this, IAF has achieved a significant capability boost to carry out precision strikes from SU-30MKI aircraft against land/sea targets over very long ranges.

“The extended range capability of the missile coupled with the high performance of the SU-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF a strategic reach and allows it to dominate future battlefields.

The dedicated and synergetic efforts of the IAF, Indian Navy, DRDO, BAPL and HAL have been instrumental in achieving this feat,” read an official statement from the Ministry of Defence.

Earlier in May, India successfully test-fired the extended-range version of BrahMos air-launched missile from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the launch from the aircraft was as planned and the missile achieved a direct hit on the designated target in the Bay of Bengal region.

It was the first launch of the extended-range version of the BrahMos missile from the Su-30MKI aircraft.

The Ministry said the dedicated and synergetic efforts of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bengal Aerotropolis Projects (BAPL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have proven the capability of the nation to achieve this feat.

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The C-295 medium transport aircraft, which will be manufactured in India jointly by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and European firm Airbus Defence and Space, comes as a replacement for the IAF’s fleet of ageing Avro-748 planes that entered service in the early 1960s.

There’s a growing consensus within the air force on the C-295s being the right fit to replace the AN-32s, said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named.

The IAF currently operates a fleet of more than 90 AN-32s that play a critical role in supporting forward deployed troops along the country’s frontiers including Ladakh and the Northeast.

 “The C-295 is capable of carrying out the roles assigned to AN-32s, and can be a good replacement when the time comes. While the air force is not in a rush to zero in on a replacement for AN-32s as their phasing out will begin only after 2030, the C-295 fits the bill,” said a second official.

India and Ukraine had inked a $400-million deal in 2009 to modernise the AN-32 fleet.

Some of them were upgraded in Ukraine a decade ago to improve avionics and increase engine lifespan, while several others are being upgraded at an IAF repair facility in Kanpur.

The Avro replacement project was in the works for more than a decade. The defence acquisition council — India’s apex defence procurement body — gave its acceptance of necessity (AoN) in 2012 to replace the Avro planes with 56 new aircraft. Under India’s defence procurement rules, an AoN by the council is the first step towards buying military hardware.

In a shot in the arm for the government’s Make in India initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on October 30, laid the foundation stone for a manufacturing facility being set up by the Tata-Airbus consortium at Vadodara in Gujarat for the C-295s, expected to replace the Avro aircraft.

The event was the result of a ₹21,935-crore contract the defence ministry signed with Airbus Defence and Space last year for 56 C-295 aircraft. TASL is jointly executing the contract, which is being seen as a boost to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self reliant India) campaign.

The development was seen as significant as a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private consortium for the first time.

“By the time the AN-32s come up for replacement, the last of the C-295s would have been delivered to the IAF as Avro replacement. Going in for C-295s as a substitute for AN-32 will ensure continuity in production,” the second official added.

As part of the contract, 16 C-295 aircraft will be delivered by Airbus in flyaway condition from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India. The 16 flyaway aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between September 2023 and August 2025, while the first Made in India C-295 is projected to roll out of the new facility in September 2026, with the remaining estimated to be ready by August 2031.

The C-295 is more than capable of replacing the AN-32 when the air force starts phasing out the latter in a decade, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. “Continued production of C-295s in India will ensure timely deliveries, and a higher indigenous content. Advance planning ensures preparedness. The AN-32 is ageing and will ultimately require replacement,” Chopra added.

The C-295 can carry up to nine tonnes of payload or 71 personnel (or 45 paratroopers) and has a maximum speed of 480 kmph. It can also operate from short or unprepared airstrips, has a rear ramp for para dropping troops and cargo, and will strengthen the logistic capabilities of IAF.

It exceeds the performance of the Avro and AN-32 transport planes, and is extremely fuel efficient, IAF vice chief Air Marshal Sandeep Singh had said in October.

Apart from the 56 planes already ordered, the C-295 facility at Vadodara will be capable of meeting additional requirements for the air force and also cater to export orders, officials said.

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