BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//MP-IDSA - ECPv6.15.12.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:MP-IDSA X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://idsa.in X-WR-CALDESC:Events for MP-IDSA REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Asia/Kolkata BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0530 TZOFFSETTO:+0530 TZNAME:IST DTSTART:20120101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20130118T053000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20130118T053000 DTSTAMP:20261104T182608 CREATED:20231223T134007Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231224T130241Z UID:63142-1358487000-1358487000@idsa.in SUMMARY:Equipment and Force Structure Requirements to Meet External Threats 2032 DESCRIPTION:Chair: Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd)\, AVSMExternal Discussants: Wg Cdr Vikram Munshi\, Wg Cdr Amit GoelInternal Discussants: Wg Cdr Ajey Lele\, Cdr SS Parmar \nMajor Highlights of the Paper\nThis paper addresses the equipment and force structure required to meet external challenges 2032. The current paper is second in the series of four papers that Gp Capt Kapur intends to do on a project “IAF Deep Multidimensional Change 2032: Imperatives and a Roadmap.” The previous paper was “Challenges for IAF 2032.” The next two papers in the series are “Organisational Structure Optimisation\,” and “Organisation and Technology Issues Related to the 2032 IAF.” The critical role of Air Power post World War-II has been well established. Indian Air Force is no exception and hence its battle readiness is of utmost interest to our military planners. The paper therefore discusses a very important element of combat readiness\, i.e. equipment support and force structure. While equipment support and force structure is only one out of many aspects of combat readiness it is perhaps the most important one. \nThe paper makes a comparative study of the Indian Air Force (IAF)\, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF). Since PAF and PLAAF have posed serious security challenges before the country in the past and are likely to pose the same in the future\, the study makes a comparative assessment of their strength and weaknesses in order to put the IAF’s requirements in perspective. The author’s projection takes into account the likely scenario of a two-front war\, involving both China and Pakistan. The paper forcefully argues that numbers (Squadrons and aircrafts) even in this hi-tech age matter for engaging the enemy. This projection of requirements is also based on the estimated sortie generation capability of the three forces. Significantly\, the paper shows that the Indian Air Force has an edge over the Chinese Air Force in this regard. \nSince the North Eastern border is the most likely theater of war with China\, the paper gives a detailed assessment of the requirements of the IAF to ensure its combat readiness. After taking into account geography\, infrastructure & reach factor\, the combat efficiency comparison of IAF: PLAAF comes to 1.4:1.0. Another important finding of the paper is that the IAF needs 724 (40 Sqn)/ 929(52Sqn) fighter aircrafts in North East and North to counter Chinese threat for a clear victory. \nGiven India’s rising power status\, engaging in Out of Area Contingency Operation (OOAC) is likely and India may be asked to play an increasingly important role in such Ops. The paper therefore looks into this aspect and suggests the need for Special Forces and heavy lift capability. It projects the need for deployment of one Division size force of the army requiring IAF’s provision of airlift through 1 Sqn C-17+1 Sqn C-130J/ MTA for OOAC. Further\, the need for an expeditionary air base capability has been highlighted. \nThe paper ends with a set of specific recommendations. Some of the important recommendations in the paper are: \n\nInfrastructure build-up including roads/ rail/ and Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI) should be accorded highest priority. \nInduction of BMD should be done in phases.\nUpgradation of electronic warfare and information warfare capabilities must be continued as planned with greater vigour.\nSeparate OOAC force under Joint Expeditionary Command should be set up. \nIAF should actively push forward technological development in-house and in collaboration with universities/ labs and similar competent institutions.\nMoD should explore the possibility of developing expeditionary airbase forces. \nIAF must expedite its build up towards the sanctioned 45 squadrons and then look at further force development to be able to meet these external challenges well.\n\nMajor Points of Discussion and Suggestions to the Author:\n\nThe number of fighter planes and Squadron strength recommended in the paper is slightly on the heavier side and it can be rationalized by incorporating inputs from serving and retired military professionals.\nIn nuclear age full fledged war is at best a remote possibility. Similarly\, the advent of long-range missiles has reduced the heavy dependence on aircrafts. These factors should also be kept in mind before arriving on any numbers.\nThe study would benefit by undertaking scenario building exercise about the kind of threats that India will face in the next two decades time. Projection of requirements should be based on the nature of threats. \nThe study could benefit by incorporating a tabular chart of the inventory of the three air forces (IAF\, PAAF\, and PLAAF). It will give the reader a comparative perspective.\nChina’s military modernization plan is time-bound and it sticks to its deadlines\, whereas the Indian modernization plan is not shaping as desired. \nThe increased strength of the IAF both in terms of Squadron strength and availability of aircrafts has to be supported by a commensurate level of infrastructure in order to make them operationally viable.\nTactical and technological aspect is more important than the numerical superiority as far as war fighting goes. In this regard\, the paper would benefit by focusing on cyber capability and information warfare capability of the IAF.\nThe restructuring of MoD is long overdue. One Joint Secretary looks after Army and Air Force. This situation must change for the better.\nIAF needs to focus on the service aspect of aircrafts\, which leaves much to be desired. Better serviceability of aircrafts in effect means more number of aircrafts available for operational jobs. \n\nReport prepared by Amit Kumar RA IDSA URL:https://idsa.in/idsa-event/equipment-and-force-structure-requirements-to-meet-external-threats-2032 CATEGORIES:FELLOW'S SEMINAR,EVENT REPORT ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://idsa.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/no_photo-200x150-2.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR