IAF Needs 36–40 Fighter Jets Annually; Air Chief Flags Concerns Over Pakistan’s Fifth-Generation Jet Plan

The Indian Air Force (IAF) needs to induct between 36 and 40 aircraft every year to prevent its fighter squadron strength from declining further and to move towards the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday.

The remarks come at a time when the IAF continues to focus on strengthening its fighter fleet and improving its ability to respond to evolving security challenges. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh was speaking to the media ahead of the 94th Air Force Day, which will be observed on October 8.

IAF targets sustained aircraft induction

According to the Air Chief, the IAF needs a steady annual flow of new aircraft to ensure that its fighter squadrons do not fall below 30. The force is working towards eventually reaching the sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons.

Maintaining a regular rate of induction is important because aircraft entering service have to compensate for older platforms that are eventually phased out. Without sufficient annual additions, the overall strength of fighter squadrons can remain under pressure.

The requirement of 36 to 40 aircraft every year therefore reflects the scale of induction that the IAF considers necessary to maintain and gradually strengthen its operational capability.

Focus on beyond-visual-range combat capability

Air Chief Marshal Singh also highlighted the IAF’s efforts to build a stronger beyond-visual-range, or BVR, combat capability.

BVR combat involves engaging an opposing aircraft from a distance beyond the range at which pilots can visually identify each other. Modern air warfare increasingly depends on sensors, radar systems, electronic warfare capabilities and long-range air-to-air missiles.

The IAF plans to strengthen this capability through the induction of the indigenous ASTRA family of BVR air-to-air missiles and their variants.

The force is also looking at additional batches of foreign-origin missiles with longer ranges. The combination of indigenous and foreign missile systems is aimed at expanding the range and flexibility available to Indian fighter aircraft.

ASTRA and indigenous capability

The ASTRA missile programme is an important part of India's effort to develop domestic capability in air-to-air weapons.

The planned induction of ASTRA variants is expected to provide Indian fighter aircraft with additional options for engaging aerial targets at extended ranges. The development and deployment of indigenous weapon systems can also reduce dependence on imported equipment over the longer term.

However, the IAF's requirement is not limited to missiles alone. Effective BVR capability depends on the integration of missiles with fighter aircraft, radar systems, sensors, data links, electronic warfare systems and other supporting technologies.

Concern over Pakistan's future fighter capability

The Air Chief also referred to developments related to Pakistan's plans for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, describing the development as a concern.

Fifth-generation fighter aircraft generally incorporate advanced features such as reduced radar visibility, sophisticated sensors, integrated avionics, electronic warfare capabilities and advanced networking.

The emergence of such aircraft in the region could introduce new operational challenges for neighbouring air forces. For India, this makes the development of long-range weapons, advanced sensors and improved air-combat capabilities an important part of its ongoing modernisation efforts.

The comments underline the importance the IAF places on keeping pace with technological developments in military aviation.

IAF's fighter squadron strength

The IAF has a sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons, while its actual strength has remained below that level.

The Air Chief's requirement for 36 to 40 aircraft to be inducted annually highlights the gap between the desired force structure and the pace required to maintain it.

Aircraft procurement and induction, however, involve several stages, including production capacity, delivery schedules, training, infrastructure and the integration of weapons and other systems.

The IAF therefore needs both new aircraft and supporting infrastructure to maintain a modern and sustainable fighter fleet.

Air Force Day preparations

Air Chief Marshal Singh's comments came ahead of the Indian Air Force's 94th Air Force Day on October 8.

The annual event provides an opportunity to highlight the operational role, capabilities and modernisation priorities of the IAF.

This year's discussion comes against the backdrop of the force's continuing efforts to address fighter squadron shortages, improve long-range air-combat capabilities and expand the use of indigenous defence technology.

The focus on annual aircraft induction and BVR weapons indicates that modernising the fighter fleet remains a major priority for the Indian Air Force.

As India works towards increasing its fighter aircraft numbers, the development of indigenous systems such as ASTRA and the acquisition of longer-range weapons are expected to remain important components of the IAF's broader modernisation programme.