thought so.
i have no idea about the capability of indian air force although i always tend to put it top 5, and would like to know how it is compared to say france or the uk when it comes to technology, transport planes, refuelling tankers, awaws aircraft, other support units, training, skills, flying hours, and experience of pilots as well.
Drab and dull. We are doing what we can based on our budget. We have barely enough for all our missions. We are aiming for 40+ fighter squadrons but we are not comfortable right now since a lot of the Migs need to go. We should achieve minimum strength only by 2020, for a two front war with China and Pak.
We have too many old aircraft right now. Our only major fighter induction in the last 25 years was the MKI. LCA is delayed, MRCA is delayed and the upgrade program of Jaguar is delayed. We are set at the high end for the next 10 years, but our low end is nowhere to be seen.
When it comes to transport planes, we are in a pretty good position. We have a dozen IL-76s, ordered a dozen more C-17s and plan to get over 60 medium transports like the IL-214 and C-130J. We have a tender out for light transport aircraft as well.
Refueler tender has been delayed a lot. We have 6 today (IL-78MKI) and plan to get 6 more (A330) in the near future with 6 more as options. It is quite small if you consider the number of fighter squadrons we have. I don't know what's the optimum number to have but what we have today isn't enough.
AEW&C aircraft numbers are dismal. We have just 3 Phalcons flying today and 2 more are on order. The two indigenous programs will take some time to deliver, with numbers approaching adequate levels in the next 5 or 6 years. We plan to operate at least 30-40 of these aircraft.
Experience and flying time is top notch in the IAF. Even the old Mig-21s do over 200 sorties a year, 20 a month. That's more than what UK pilots do on the Typhoons. MKI pilots fly much more than the Mig pilots. We have plenty of 2000+ hour pilots. Many of them are above 5000 hours.
Training is in a dangerous position because of the delays in the induction of the AJT and IJT. At least IAF pushed for the induction of the basic trainer. In a year we may not have an IJT. Today we are good after having inducted the AJT and BLT.
When it comes to technology, we are 5 to 10 years behind the UK and France today, but by 2025 we should be at par or ahead ahead in all capabilities, once all the deals being worked on today start delivering. More so because we have planned big stuff while UK and France are cutting down. When it comes to sheer numbers we are better than UK and France today, but that is not going to be enough against China.