For many decades after independence, Indian Armed Forces imported military hardware from long-term friend and strategic ally Soviet Union and Russia. Also France became a significant source for military aviation supplies to India. From the 1990s, Israel, and since 2008, the United States (US) have also been important sources. India continues to be one of the biggest importers of military hardware. As India’s economy began to grow in the last two decades, India increased funding for defence research and development with “Make-in-India” emphasis. While the intent has been clear, success has been in spurts. India continues to lack some crucial technologies. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have also changed military hardware dynamics. It is time to look at the key modernisation priorities and options for this rising global power.
Military Aviation Highest Priority
India is already the fifth-largest economy, and soon to be third, and it has the fourth-largest military. Like the US, Soviet Union, and China, India has realised that the one who controls aerospace controls the planet. Aerospace requires cutting-edge technologies and obsolescence sets in early. Last year the world spent $2.44 trillion on defence, of which 40 percent was on aerospace. Therefore aerospace is a key priority area. India needs new platforms and to upgrade existing ones with advanced technologies.
IAF’s Fighter Requirements
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is down to 31 fighter squadrons vis-à-vis the authorised strength of 42. The last of the MiG-21 squadrons will phase out in 2025. The Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000 will gradually start retiring by the end of the decade. India’s LCA Mk1 had its first flight in 2001. Till date, only around 50 have been built. 180 LCA Mk1A aircraft with better operational capabilities have been ordered, but the induction has got delayed because of American GE-404 engine supply deferments. The indigenous content of the LCA Mk1 is 50 percent by value and expected to increase to 65 percent for LCA Mk1A later in the program.
IAF has indicated a requirement of 108 LCA Mk2, which will be closer to Rafale-class. The first flight is expected in 2026. Induction is expected in the early 2030s. India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has just been cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). IAF needs 126 of these initially. This, at best, would be ready to induct after 2035.
While India needs to accelerate the design, development, and production of fighter aircraft, clearly IAF needs to get back numbers through a one-time import. The proposal to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) from abroad is still stuck in bureaucratic labyrinth, and the Request for Proposal (RFP) has still to be sent out. The eight contenders are Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Boeing F-15EX Eagle II, Lockheed Martin F-21, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS-39 Gripen E/F, Mikoyan MiG-35, and Sukhoi Su-35.
India is still struggling for some key technologies for its fighter programs and scouting for global partners. This includes a designed-in-India aero-engine with its own intellectual property rights. Some critical stealth, avionics, and electronic warfare technologies are required. Meanwhile, India is fast becoming standalone in radars and aerial weapons.
China already has 300 fifth-generation fighters. The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) has a target to have 1,000 such fighters by 2035. Even Pakistan is in talks with China and Turkey to acquire a few fifth-generation fighters by 2030. In view of AMCA timelines, there is one school of thought that India may be forced to acquire an interim fifth-generation fighter. Currently, the American F-35 is not on offer because India acquired the Russian S-400 AD system. India was initially wary of developmental delays of the Russian Su-57 ‘Felon’ fifth-generation aircraft. But reports emanating from Russia indicate accelerated production. Also the aircraft will have a stealthy “loyal wingman”. Russia is wooing India to partner. It remains a contender.
After successful upgrades of MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft with Russia, discussions are on between HAL and the PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia for Su-30MKI upgrade.
Transport and Helicopter Fleets
India has a sizeable transport aircraft fleet, mostly of Russian and American origin, and has already begun Make-in-India EADS CASA C-295W. Last year, IAF issued a Request for Information (RFI) for Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) of 18 and 30 tons of cargo-carrying capacity for the replacement of the AN-32 fleet. It will be chosen from abroad and Made-in-India. India’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and its armed variants have been a good success. Nearly 400 aircraft of different variants have been built and another 600 would be required. India has had a successful Joint Venture (JV) with France’s Safran Aircraft Engines for making the Shakti engine for helicopters. The over-three-decade-old Cheetah and Chetak fleet are near the end of their service and are planned to be replaced by the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). Indian military has already begun inducting the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’. India is now working on the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) of the Russian Mil Mi-17 class. It will require support for a new, more powerful engine, and is being discussed with Safran Helicopter Engines.
Force Multipliers
India has only three large-sized (IL-76 based) AEW&C. Negotiations with Russia for getting additional aircraft in the last two decades did not fructify. India finally decided to use six pre-owned ex-Air India Airbus aircraft to make indigenous mid-sized AEW&C. India will also add another six Embraer ERJ 145 airframe-based indigenous DRDO ‘Netra’ AEW&C.
IAF’s Flight Refueller Aircraft (FRA) fleet consists of seven Russian Ilyushin IL-78MKI, equipped with three UPAZ-1 refuelling drogues each. India needs more FRA urgently, and has chosen to get pre-owned aircraft under Buy (Global) category and modify them with Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) support.
UAVs and Drones
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the war in Ukraine, and engagements in West Asia have highlighted the importance and need for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and smaller drones. The much cheaper surveillance and kamikaze drones have democratised war with even smaller players being able to afford them and have great military potential and effects. While large expensive UAS like General Atomics MQ-9 would be good for large-area surveillance, they have been fairly vulnerable and have been shot down in both the Black Sea and Red Sea.
It was seen that both Russia and Ukraine had to beef up drone production and imports. Countries need to build large drone inventories. Efforts are underway to develop state-of-the-art UAVs under Government of India (GoI) schemes, such as iDEX and ADITI. India already has more than 100 drone start-ups. These include NewSpace Research & Technologies, Paras Aerospace, VEDA Aeronautics, Throttle Aerospace, WB Electronics India Pvt Ltd, ideaForge, General Aeronautics, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, and Thanos Technologies, among many others. There is also scope for more foreign collaboration in drones.
Air Defence Systems
The ongoing conflicts have also underscored the requirement of modern air defence systems covering the entire bubble. India has had a great experience with Russian AD systems. Induction of the globally acknowledged S-400 has greatly boosted India’s AD capability.
Indian Navy and Army
Both the Indian Navy and Indian Army have interest in significant military aviation platforms, such as helicopters and even fixed-wing aircraft. This potentially increases numbers and amortises costs. Both require UAVs and drones in large numbers. The Indian Navy also needs to augment the MiG-29K. 26 Dassault Rafale M are likely to be ordered.
Joint Ventures and Partnerships Best Way Forward
Experience has shown that Joint Ventures (JV) with global partners are the best way forward. 45 companies/JVs operating in the defence sector in India with foreign OEMs. One very successful example is the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile program. It will not only meet the Indian requirements but is already being exported to Philippines. Russia, Brazil, and Malaysia are potential buyers. Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is the JV making AK-203 rifles in India.
Safran and HAL have produced close to 1,500 helicopter engines in India. Safran has also offered 100 percent ToT for making a fighter engine in India. Adani-Elbit JV makes Hermes UAVs in India to meet global orders. Similarly, many aero-structures for F-16 aircraft, C-130, Apache, and Chinook helicopters are made in India. Airbus, BAE, Boeing, Collins Aerospace, Dassault Aviation, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Pilatus, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Rafael, and Thales have all set up joint ventures. For India to sit on the global high table, success in defence indigenisation will be crucial, and partnerships are the fastest way ahead.
Note: The article was originally written by the Author for Russia Today on 1st, November 2024, it has since been updated.
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