Chief of the Air Staff

The Indian Air Force marks its 84th Anniversary this October 8, with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, saying that IAF is looking forward to increase its combat strength.

- Gulshan Luthra and Air Marshal VK Jimmy Bhatia (Retd)

He disclosed that the Government is considering the Make in India offers from the US Boeing for F/A 18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin for its F-16 (Block 70) and Swedish Saab for Gripen. IAF is also open to offers for more Rafales as well as Eurofighters but under the Make in India programme of the Government. He agreed that IAF needed another manufacturing line besides that of HAL’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to make up for the depleting number of its squadrons.

IAF is happy though at the Rafale deal, he observed pointing out that the aircraft will be equipped with the best of technologies.

He said there had been some delays but upgrade of the Jaguar with new engines and avionics is likely to be finalised soon. The MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 are already on upgrades.

He said that the requirement of midair refuelers is being considered afresh, but gave no details if the competition will be restricted to Airbus whose A300MRTT had been selected earlier or is also open to Boeing, which has meanwhile come up with a new tanker. As for more AWACS, he said, IAF will continue to use IL-76 based platforms. The Brazilian Embraer, which is being fitted with AEW capability by DRDO, will also continue to be used.

A beaming Air Chief Marshal Raha had this to say in an interview with India Strategic: