BEING A POTENT AIR FORCE

IAF’s new force structure emphasises on cutting-edge foreign acquired quality and ‘Make in India’ quantity, writes NINAD D SHETH

- NINAD D SHETH

Afterburners glow and brand new engines almost whistle as the newly acquired Rafale fighter jets takeoff from the Ambala air force base for a “familiarisation sortie” which will soon find them near the site of India's border standoff with China over Laddakh.

Along with the Apache helicopters for target and destroy and Chinook heavy lifts for maintaining a robust supply line and Israeli-made Heron drones, the Indian Air Force is displaying a new and futuristic force structure that can exert power in all weather conditions at day as well as at night. This ability to relentlessly project power and execute damage is the real change in the force structure of the Indian Air Force.

The strategic underpinning of these acquisitions is to allow for rapid deterrence and sustainable intervention and offensive abilities in the face of the adversities of Pakistan and China – if need be taking on both at once. The IAF chief said at his annual press conference in October, 2020, “the Indian Air Force is rapidly changing with new capabilities.”

The Rafale is of course the marquee acquisition that adds a fresh dimension to the force projection capability of the IAF. The key reason why the Rafale alters the balance of power in the air is in its ability to target with standoff precision. In both Chinese and Pakistan scenarios the weapon suites, depending on the mission of the Rafale, will give the IAF the quality edge.