The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest in the world and one of the most formidable Air Forces. Since its inception on October 8, 1982, this force has shown its might in various war campaigns, from the Burma campaign in 1942 to the Kargil War in 1999. The wing has left no stone unturned to ‘touch the sky with glory’!
Historical Background
The IAF’s quest for indigenisation can be traced back to the 1990s. The HF-24 Marut fighter jet was the first indigenous weaponised flight of the IAF, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and was employed in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. However, much of its aerial assets are French and Russian-dominated and continue to be so. Further, the incorporation of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft was a landmark achievement in the history of IAF. In 1983, the government launched an Integrated Guided Missile Development programme to develop five missile systems. However, the indigenisation drive got a fillip only with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Abhiyan’ initiatives.
Why indigenisation?
Considering the quantum leap in India’s defence exports, there is a need to promote indigenisation as it will have a cascading impact on the Indian economy in the years to come. The indigenous purchases have brought about a cash outflow of approx. Rs.70,000
Cr. enabling India to become a defence manufacturing hub. India’s defence exports surged from Rs. 2000 Cr in 2014 to Rs.16,000 Cr in 2023-24. India also looks forward to co-production programmes with countries like the US under the ‘Make in India’ initiative to reduce dependency by producing key engine components locally while also promoting the transfer of critical technologies, further driving indigenous manufacturing.
Geopolitical churnings and an uncertain geopolitical scenario call for the IAF to fortify a tactical position to develop a swift response to the imminent threats. To strike the right balance with the world’s major powers, India must stop relying on one country for defence imports but rather diversify its collaborative efforts and technological sources.
Private companies and startups are also crucial for innovation and global competitiveness in the defence sector. Indigenisation not only helps reduce India’s dependence on imports but
also helps create jobs, accelerate economic growth, strengthen the industrial base and attract the private sector, bringing competition and innovation. The large pool of skilled workforce, notably in engineering and technology, access to natural resources and a large defence market are some favourable factors that can be leveraged to transform India into a strategic player in the domain. Indigenisation also brings technological advancement and helps reduce fiscal deficit.
Around 70% of the IAF’s defence requirements are catered by Russia. These include utility helicopters, attack helicopters, heavy-lift helicopters, anti-submarine warfare helicopters, air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles and laser-guided bombs to name a few. As a country pursuing strategic autonomy and with adversaries possessing strong capabilities, India needs indigenisation to achieve self-reliance. At times of a security crisis or economic turmoil, India can rely on itself instead of backing on foreign suppliers, which often comes at a heavy cost.
Key initiatives and programmes
The indigenisation plans of the IAF are aligned with the Make In India projects, and around 3.5 lakh crores have been earmarked for indigenisation in the defence sector. Currently, the IAF has over 200 locally designed and developed LCAs slated to be inducted. In the arena of fighter aircraft, IAF has taken up programmes for Su-30 MKI aircraft at a cost of Rs.65000 Cr. The project also aims to develop indigenous radars and avionics and has been taken up by the HAL.
The Aeronautical Defence Agency has completed designing Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which will supplement the Sukhoi-Su 30 MKI and the Dassault Rafale Fighters. ADA is also working on a medium-weight fighter called Tejas MK-II, which will replace ageing fighters such as Mirage 2000, MiG-29, and Jaguar.
The indigenously developed helicopters such as HAL Rudra and HAL Dhruv have been inducted to replace the old Cheetah and Chetak helicopters and supplement the Apache Chinook helicopters acquired from the US. HAL is also committed to initiating an Indigenous Multirole-Helicopter Programme. The Air Force and Army are also working on inducting 156 ‘Prachand’ light combat helicopters (LCH), costing about Rs 50,000 crore.
The Transport Wing of the IAF also demands attention as many of the aircraft in this domain are imported, such as the C-17 Globemaster, C-130J Hercules and IL-76. Though 16 of the C-295 aircraft from Airbus will be acquired from Spain, Tata Advanced Systems Limited in Gujarat will manufacture the remaining 40, and they shall replace the Avro Transport aircraft of the IAF. The force also has plans to replace the Embraer transport planes by creating a Medium Transport Aircraft System.
Most of the unmanned aerial platforms, such as Heron, Harop, and Harpy UAVs, were acquired from Israel. To bring self-reliance in this field, DRDO is working on Rustom; an indigenous drone that will replace the Heron drones. DRDO is also developing an unmanned aerial combat vehicle named Ghatak, which possesses stealth features and can deliver laser-guided strike weapons.
IAF has launched Project Kusha to develop five Long Range Surface Air Missiles (LRSAM) units similar to the existing S-400 missiles. DRDO has also developed a series of missiles like Pralay Ballistic Missiles Akash NG, replacing the Barak-8. Rs.21,700 Cr has been approved for the project and involves the private sector industry. DRDO is currently working on the Extra Long Surface to Air Missile System (XRSAM) to supplement the S-400 Russian air defence system. HAL is also developing trainer aircraft at a cost of Rs. 6,100 Cr. and has tested a fully indigenous, two-seated trainer version of LCA Tejas.
Recently, the government has approved a Rs.15,000 Cr project to develop a generation fighter multi-role fighter jet, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which will be executed and designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and DRDO and manufactured by HAL. With this, India will be among the selected few nations to possess fifth-generation fighter aircraft. In a recent defence collaboration forged between India and the US, both countries have advanced an agreement to co-produce the high-thrust GE F-414 engines, which are crucial in powering the Tejas Mk 2 fighter jets.
The Centre for Airborne Systems, under the DRDO, is responsible for developing and enhancing airborne systems such as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems.
During air combat, AWACS can detect incoming missiles, fighters and drones even before ground-based radars do. This is very pertinent for the IAF in a hostile neighbourhood. Albeit, there is room for advancements in this arena, given that China and even Pakistan are ahead of India. IAF is also advancing its network-centric operations and improving ISR
(Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance).
IAF has signed an MoU with IIT-Madras to promote technology development. This will give
impetus to indigenisation by enabling research for proto-type development and feasibility studies. While indigenisation of spares and aircraft is undertaken by the Base Repair Depots (BRD) in various parts of the country, avionics equipment, aircraft and aero-engine accessories are built by public and private industry giants.
Challenges and Opportunities
IAF aims to replace a significant chunk of its ageing and obsolete weapons. However, 57% of its capital procurement is met through imports. With a well-established indigenisation organisation in place, there is a need to explore public-private partnerships to leverage the
opportunities in the industry.
The IAF has had a tough time phasing out the ageing MiG-21 and MiG-27. IAF must hasten the process of acquiring critical technologies that enable incorporating advanced combat aircraft with stealth features to keep up with the fighter aircraft race. It must equip itself to meet training, maintenance and logistics challenges. Delayed acquisitions of technology and low capital budgets are some problems looming in the force, further hampering the prospects for indigenisation. IAF must also stay abreast in developing an advanced C4I2SR system (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Information,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance).
In view of the slower pace of indigenisation, IAF must give utmost importance to capacity
building and welcome strategic imperatives from academicians, organisations, civil authority, R&D organisations, military establishments and think tanks related to aerospace to identify challenges. A synergetic approach involving all stakeholders can boost the capabilities of the IAF.
To meet India’s aspirations to maintain a balance of power, it must address the infrastructural gaps in critical defence equipment by initiating joint ventures with other countries. Indigenisation of the R&D is the key to manufacturing and capacity building. The operational ability of the IAF can be strengthened by attending to public-private partnerships.
MSMEs must also be involved in the process. While adopting cutting-edge technologies is essential, equipment upgradation must also be attended to. Establishing defence corridors and increasing defence budgets are other strategies to address existing shortcomings. Building a robust and technologically sophisticated aircraft industry is the need of the hour. Despite all the odds, Narendra Modi’s clarion call for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is a step in the right direction.
