IAF losing edge over PAF

[Rahul92]

With the IAF's edge slipping fast, the PAF's assertiveness is likely to increase.



The Pakistan Air Force is stronger than ever. Since the last Indo-Pak air war of 1971, the Pakistan Air Force has with steely determination built up numbers, lethal capabilities and a combat force now counted as one of the most disciplined and well-trained air forces in the world.

Headlines Today has a disturbing proof that all this has made India worried. A recent presentation by the defence intelligence establishment paints a morbid picture of how the numbers and capability advantage that the Indian Air Force has always found comfort in is rapidly slipping away.

Headlines Today has accessed the recent presentation made to the Ministry of Defence. The document makes singularly ominous projections. The most glaring warning is about combat force ratio.

The presentation says that the ratio of 1:1.7 is likely to progressively dip to 1:1.2 by the end of 2012. It describes this as a "historic low". It also says that the traditional hi-tech advantage is almost equal now with 9.5:11 squadron ratio.

With Pakistan rapidly acquiring early warning aircraft, mid-air refuellers and long-range missiles, the technology gap is at a historic low.

It is a wake-up call to India's military planners. The decisions taken now could forever doom the crucial advantage that the Indian Air Force has always enjoyed against an adversary that can never be underestimated.

A formidable adversary

The last time the air forces of India and Pakistan fought a full-blown war was forty years ago.

But if the Pakistan Air Force of 1971 was an enemy to be reckoned with, circumstances have made it an even more formidable adversary today.

The internal assessment by the Indian defence establishment makes some grimly practical projections in the light of an adversary emboldened by an unfettered modernisation spree.

The government has been warned that with the Indian Air Force's edge slipping fast, the Pakistan Air Force's assertiveness is likely to increase.

Once seen as a primarily defensive force, the Pakistan Air Force will use its new strength to employ offensive and defensive operations in equal measure.

With new precision weapons, the Pakistan Air Force will conduct limited strikes to achieve strategic effects.

The one thing that won't change -- high-value targets in J&K will be high-priority targets for the PAF.

There's a deeper threat at play than just fighter numbers. Consider these newly inducted force multiplers that all but kill the Indian air advantage. Pakistan is inducting four Swedish Saab Erieye and four Chinese Y-8 airborne early warning aircraft, while India, currently, has three.

Swedish Saab Erieye

Chinese Y-8




India no longer has the mid-air refueller advantage. Pakistan is inducting four identical IL-78M aircraft.

The Indian Air Force's UAV advantage is also disappearing. Pakistan is acquiring 25 European(Italy) UAVs, with more in the pipeline.

Despite the ominous projections of the presentation, there are those who believe the Indian Air Force will always remain on top. Among them, Air Marshal Denzil Keelor, one half of the legendary Keelor brothers, who scored independent India's first air-to-air kill against Pakistan in 1965.

But for the IAF to remain ahead, and stem the swiftly dwindling capability advantage over Pakistan, it needs to make some hard decisions across the board.

Delayed decisions

Rapid inductions of new generation fighters give the Pakistan Air Force significantly enhanced fighting potential.

The air superiority fighter advantage that the IAF once enjoyed is progressively disappearing.

A determined plugging of air defence gaps with radars and missiles has starkly reduced the Indian Air Force's freedom of action in the event of war.

There are several reasons why the situation has been allowed to get so grim for the Indian Air Force.

Delays in the Tejas have forced the Air Force to grapple with stop-gap arrangements that don't quite cut it.

The Indian mother of all deals for 126 new fighters is still incomplete more than ten years after the IAF said it needed the aircraft urgently.

Finally, with an ageing Soviet fleet of aircraft (MIGs) that are troublesome and facing retirement, the Air Force looks at an even greater dip in the numbers advantage.

The message to the Defence Ministry and the government is simple. Cut your losses and plan hard for the future. If you don't, the Indian Air Force will lose the one thing you've always counted on: its combat edge.



http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/iaf-losing-edge-over-paf/1/135843.html

 

[Rahul92]

Well we need to act now

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

The MoD must sign all the contracts which they are planning to do, as early as possible. Lengthening the process of the MMRCA deal will put brakes on the development of IAF. We must also develop or buy attack drones in a considerable number. We must also get through the MRSAM deal quickly.

 

[Rahul92]

Well we should develop planes on our own

 

[Kunal Biswas]

With new precision weapons, the Pakistan Air Force will conduct limited strikes to achieve strategic effects.

The one thing that won't change -- high-value targets in J&K will be high-priority targets for the PAF.

This is a topical hype....

The mighty F-16D and JF-17 and J-10s are same as our MIR-2000, Mig-29, MIG-21 BISONs...

We have grater Number with good quality, As Long as a Aircraft have a reliable EW and BVR capability its a serious thread for any 4++ even 5gen fighter..

I dont have to mention abt the might of Indian AD along Indian Borders ? ..






Here what IAF already have:

1. Keep up doing its regular job

2. Keep up JAG and MIG fighters upto date, which is already underway and some are done..

3. Infrastructure is very good both east and west so does the AD..

4. Upto date AAM and PGM are available in mass

5. Radar surveillance is very strong and if needed we can scan 200km under enemy tertiary from a distance of 100 or more from LOC..


6. Unnecessarily deployment of SU-30MKI squadron over Western sector..

 

[neo29]

Just becoz PAF is doing some shopping, doesnt mean IAF is loosing edge.

We need articles that compares IAF with PLAAF. Lets look ahead.

 

[Rahul92]

This is a topical hype....

The mighty F-16D and JF-17 and J-10s are same as our MIR-2000, Mig-29, MIG-21 BISONs...

We have grater Number with good quality, As Long as a Aircraft have a reliable EW and BVR capability its a serious thread for any 4++ even 5gen fighter..

I dont have to mention abt the might of Indian AD along Indian Borders ? ..






Here what IAF already have:

1. Keep up doing its regular job

2. Keep up JAG and MIG fighters upto date, which is already underway and some are done..

3. Infrastructure is very good both east and west so does the AD..

4. Upto date AAM and PGM are available in mass

5. Radar surveillance is very strong and if needed we can scan 200km under enemy tertiary from a distance of 100 or more from LOC..


6. Unnecessarily deployment of SU-30MKI squadron over Western sector..

Sir I respect your views but i think deployment of su-30mki in east or west is necessary in a strategical view

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Sir I respect your views but i think deployment of su-30mki in east or west is necessary in a strategical view

It fine as long as IAF thinks its right..

SU-30MKI purpose is simply and mainly offensive on both fronts...

 

[pankaj nema]

This is BS . Maybe MMRCA vendors are trying to push the deal.

SO the easiest way is to cry wolf.

And By the way all types of articles appear round the year .

Some claim that IAF will soon be able to have 2 front capability , then others claim that IAF is loosing its edge

So let us trust the GOI and IAF

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

This fuss is for buying the NEW TOYS which are available in the market. IAF is far more superior in strength. When compared with chinese PLAAF we have good quality fighters. The only thing in which we lack behind is numbers, so there is nothing to worry as we are increasing the numbers as well. Having great numbers also is not a very important factor. If use the available fighters properly with a good tactic and plan we can makeover the numbers also. Afterall a war is won only through properly planning and utilising the available resources properly without wasting it unnecessaryly.

 

[p2prada]

Just a regular article echoing news from a year ago.

Even with dipping squadron strength, the aircraft we are currently inducting or planning to induct are beyond PAF's capability to address effectively. Even with numerical parity we have a huge qualitative advantage.

JF-17 is more or less a F-16 with obsolete technology. If they fly better than the F-7PG or even close to the F-16, then they have a decent number filler.

The Mirage-2000 and Mig-29 upgrades will bring them at par with F-16C/D. However I believe F-16C/D has a slight advantage over both types because of Uncle Sam's superior tech. Bring in the MKIs and the strategic value of the F-16s decrease in both numbers and technology.

PAF will also induct the J-10B in the future which is just more F-16s. So, no issues because while they induct J-10Bs we will be inducting PAKFAs. Really! So, what's the big issue now?

 

[arya]

Well we need to act now

we you mean you and i

come on dont crack joke we are just slave to our govt


dont you know our officer now just loyal to govt not to nation just see is any single one has guts

our superime court daily shought but not ant affect to our corrupt leaders

in india say you and i never say we it dont not matter to anyone



forget nation talk about money or power or votebank

 

[arya]

Just a regular article echoing news from a year ago.

Even with dipping squadron strength, the aircraft we are currently inducting or planning to induct are beyond PAF's capability to address effectively. Even with numerical parity we have a huge qualitative advantage.

JF-17 is more or less a F-16 with obsolete technology. If they fly better than the F-7PG or even close to the F-16, then they have a decent number filler.

The Mirage-2000 and Mig-29 upgrades will bring them at par with F-16C/D. However I believe F-16C/D has a slight advantage over both types because of Uncle Sam's superior tech. Bring in the MKIs and the strategic value of the F-16s decrease in both numbers and technology.

PAF will also induct the J-10B in the future which is just more F-16s. So, no issues because while they induct J-10Bs we will be inducting PAKFAs. Really! So, what's the big issue now?

yes my dear its regular our indian attitude not to think for nation security

 

[Kunal Biswas]

we you mean you and i

come on dont crack joke we are just slave to our govt


dont you know our officer now just loyal to govt not to nation just see is any single one has guts

our superime court daily shought but not ant affect to our corrupt leaders

in india say you and i never say we it dont not matter to anyone



forget nation talk about money or power or votebank

The more u think abt corruption, The more u get depress..

See the bright side, At-least some like we do think abt Nation.. ?

And only these some are responsible for the bread we are getting for our belly..

Lets stay positive, even in darkest times..

Jai Hind !

 

[mayfair]

As better informed and knowledgeable posters have pointed out, these articles are commonplace, often exhorting IAF to go for more sophisticated (read Western) air combat and defense systems. Coupled with the widespread propaganda scattered on the web over the mythical combat skills of PAF pilots (not to say that they are not good), despite being overwhlemed in every conflict against us, you have one perfect recipe for paranoia, panic and defeatism.

However, this does not mean that we should accept that our current preparations are upto scratch and sublime. There's always room for improvement.

 

[Rahul92]

Well as long as Uncle SAM keeps giving them GOODIES at the rates of peanuts we have to worry

 

[p2prada]

PAF has only 2 BVR capable squadrons as of today. The F-16 Blk 52 and the JF-17. Even the JF-17 squadron may or may not have BVR missiles from China.

The rest of their force consists of 50 F-7PG and 45 old Block 15-20 F-16s with no BVR capability as of now.

That against 7 Bison squadrons, 8 MKI squadrons, 2 Mirage-2000 and 3 Mig-29 squadrons all with BVR. That's 20 squadrons with BVR compared to 2 PAF squadrons with BVR as of 2011-12.

 

[mayfair]

PAF has only 2 BVR capable squadrons as of today. The F-16 Blk 52 and the JF-17. Even the JF-17 squadron may or may not have BVR missiles from China.

The rest of their force consists of 50 F-7PG and 45 old Block 15-20 F-16s with no BVR capability as of now.

That against 7 Bison squadrons, 8 MKI squadrons, 2 Mirage-2000 and 3 Mig-29 squadrons all with BVR. That's 20 squadrons with BVR compared to 2 PAF squadrons with BVR as of 2011-12.

I thought they were undergoing mid-life upgrades that would make them BVR capable.

 

[p2prada]

I thought they were undergoing mid-life upgrades that would make them BVR capable.

They have only started now. Will take some time to complete upgrades.

Our Mig-29 and Mirage-2000 upgrades will be similar to Block 52. But they are already equipped with BVR.

Right now the Mig-29 and M-2000 are pretty much Block 20 F-16s with BVR capability. Big difference.

 

[Armand2REP]

PAF has only 2 BVR capable squadrons as of today. The F-16 Blk 52 and the JF-17. Even the JF-17 squadron may or may not have BVR missiles from China.

PL-11 has yet to be integrated on JF-17