Shuturmurg
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Angad singh (he is a researcher in defence and air power at ORF) on Indian Air force. Some of the key points :
1. China has reduced its disadvantage of operating air bases at high altitude in tibet, by increasing the lengths of runway, increasing number of runways and having large number of refuellers. So, aircrafts can take off with low fuel to reduce wait and refuel in air. They have also made hardened shelter tp protect aircrafts, however that also makes runways more vulnerable to damage by bombing, as aircrafts need full runway to take off.
2. India is seriously lacking refuellers.
3. Biggest positive for Indian airforce in next 5 years is that it will have indigenous weapons system (air to air and anti-radiation missiles + guided bombs). Will be a huge win in terms interoperability, since currently our current weapons are platform restricted.
4. Brahmos air launched version is a big win.
5. Will retire at least 10 squadrons till 2035 + we are already 10 squadrons short of 42 stated by air force. (4 squadron lca mk1a and 6 of mmrca 2.0 can fill that retirement gap). Will be bit of risk if we cancel mmrca 2.0 for mk2.
6. MMRCA 2.0 if it happens will be positive for domestic private aerospace industry as someone will be selected as partner to manufacture here.
7. HAL has turned a corner in last 8-9 years. Doing much better, involving private industry. Still not as efficient as private company, but trending in right direction.
8. OFB corporatization good. At least now it has a better organizational structure, however will take a long time for them to become efficient. Its just the beginning of that journey.
9. Tejas mk1a - there are some shortcomings from initial requirements (he mentions it cannot handle 9g, but a bit less), however airforce definitely sees a role for them in operation.