"AI WILL IMPROVE OUR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY MANY TIMES MORE"
SP’s Aviation|Issue 4, 2024
In an exclusive interview, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff speaks with Manish Kumar Jha for SP’s Aviation, on the IAF’s capability roadmap and the thrust on the next-generation technology adoption
Manish Kumar Jha
"AI WILL IMPROVE OUR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY MANY TIMES MORE"

WITH COMBAT FLYING EXPERIENCE ON FIGHTER, TRAINER AND having commanded a frontline fighter base in the Western sector, as well as a premier fighter training base, Air Marshal Dixit is well placed to lead the critical and complex capability plan of the IAF. During the comprehensive interaction, Air Marshal Dixit outlines the plans for the frontline combat jet programme and the acquisition of advanced UAVs among others. Excerpts:

Manish Kumar Jha (Jha): Do you see LCA Tejas as the front-line combat jet?

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit (Dixit): The IAF concluded Vayu Shakti. We demonstrated Tejas where LCA Tejas performed an air-to-ground attack and immediately after that air to air. So, this is the concept of a front-line fighter jet that can do any mission at any time. So, we have built a capability which is for the front-line fighter aircraft. And, we are very happy as again Mk1A flew recently. They will fly the first flight and then this year we are going to make the squadron.

Jha: So, when you say it’s a front line, would you also talk about the combat capability - the weapon part of how Tejas is going to be a lethal combat jet?

Dixit: There are 3-4 types of categories of weapons. One is the beyond visual range (BVR). We have our own ASTRA which we will be firing from LCA in April. Then we have air to ground and weapons of different types. We have some 10 different types of weapons that Tejas can fire. There are normal bombs and up to 1,000 pounds of bombs. It can also fire Laser-guided bombs and it can also fire long-range special weapons. So, I think we have got a full envelope of weapons available.

Jha: How do you define MK1? While Mk2 is in the pipeline for the future and in the making, what does it mean?

Denne historien er fra Issue 4, 2024-utgaven av SP’s Aviation.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Issue 4, 2024-utgaven av SP’s Aviation.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SP’S AVIATIONSe alt
'ZEITENWENDE' - THE TURNING POINT!
SP’s Aviation

'ZEITENWENDE' - THE TURNING POINT!

In an exclusive interaction, Chief of Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz speaks with Consulting & Contributing Editor Manish Kumar Jha, in New Delhi on a comprehensive range of issues concerning German forces' modernisation, NATO's role, military acquisitions, and Germany's presence in the Indo-Pacific building a new era of military cooperation with India.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 8, 2024
REWRITE THE RULE BOOK
SP’s Aviation

REWRITE THE RULE BOOK

The success of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 hinges on the Ministry of Civil Aviation's ability to translate its vision into reality through efficient administration and regulation.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 8, 2024
DRIVING SUSTAINABLE AND ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES
SP’s Aviation

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE AND ADVANCED AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES

Over seven decades of FIA, the airshow still remains significant, underscoring the industry's collective drive towards sustainability, Al-based solutions, advanced air mobility, strategic partnerships, significant orders and groundbreaking technologies

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 8, 2024
STEERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SP’s Aviation

STEERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The UDAN scheme has been a game-chan¢ger for India’s aviation industry, democratising air travel, stimulating economic development, and fostering regional connectivity becoming a cornerstone of India’s aviation strategy

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 8, 2024
THE HIGH-FLYING PATH TO A $5 TRILLION ECONOMY
SP’s Aviation

THE HIGH-FLYING PATH TO A $5 TRILLION ECONOMY

A robust commercial aviation sector is propelling the Indian economy forward by serving as a catalyst for economic growth, driving tourism, trade, employment, and infrastructure development.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 8, 2024
ROLE OF THE IAF IN NATION BUILDING
SP’s Aviation

ROLE OF THE IAF IN NATION BUILDING

IAF's global reach to ensure India's ability to conduct defence diplomacy and humanitarian operations, highlight its crucial role in safeguarding and supporting the nation way beyond the traditional military functions.

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 8, 2024
EXPANDING INDIA'S GALACTIC HORIZONS
SP’s Aviation

EXPANDING INDIA'S GALACTIC HORIZONS

India's space economy is set for significant growth as the nation continues to be a major global player, driven by momentum in the private sector, new industry entrants, substantial investments, and supportive policy initiatives.

time-read
9 mins  |
Issue 8, 2024
PRATT & WHITNEY EXPANDS INDIA OPERATIONS
SP’s Aviation

PRATT & WHITNEY EXPANDS INDIA OPERATIONS

New center will employ 150 aerospace experts and drive customer service and operations support

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 7, 2024
ADVANCING THE INDIAN AIR FORCE TRAINING CAPABILITIES
SP’s Aviation

ADVANCING THE INDIAN AIR FORCE TRAINING CAPABILITIES

A new chapter has been introduced in the history of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the inauguration of the Weapon Systems School (WSS) by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad on July 1, 2024.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 7, 2024
PIPER J-3 CUB: TRUSTED TRAINER
SP’s Aviation

PIPER J-3 CUB: TRUSTED TRAINER

When the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) programme was established in anticipation of US involvement in World War II, the Piper J-3 Cub was chosen as the primary training aircraft. Ultimately, 75 per cent of all CPT pilots trained on a Cub

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 7, 2024