How many squadrons in indian air force

Indeed, such was its success particularly against the F, that it was to earn the appellation of "Sabre Slayer". The September conflict was the first full-scale war in which the post-independence IAF was involved and the service learned many lessons as a result. Post mortem examination revealed some requirements, the pace of expansion being slowed while lessons were digested.

It was realised that too much emphasis had been placed on quantity at some cost in quality in order to cater for the dictates of the very high tempo IAF expansion embarked upon following the Sino-Indian War. This had necessitated cutting the duration of training courses to maximise personnel output and there was evidence that this could have some adverse effect on operational efficiency.

Emphasis was now reversed in that quality once more took precedence over quantity and training underwent major reorganization in consequence. There could, of course, be no abatement in equipment modernisation.

While the Indo-Pakistan conflict had underlined the vital importance of the state or readiness of the men flying and servicing the aircraft, their training and motivation, the efficacy of their equipment was of equal concern. When the September hostilities began, the MiG had still to achieve operational status. Early acquisition of MiGs of a later and more potent version was considered essential to accelerate re-equipment of squadrons still flying such patently obsolete types as the Vampire FBMk.

Thus sufficient numbers of the improved MiGFL Type 77 in IAF parlance were imported in flyaway condition to initiate the programme, and these, together with others imported in CKD form for HAL assembly, were to be sufficient for the re-equipment of nine squadrons during the period Owing to the success enjoyed by the Gnat during the conflict, plans for its early phase-out by HAL were halted and production was fully reinstated, to result in a further four Gnat squadrons Nos 15, 21, 22 and 24 being formed during Within three years of the Indo-Pakistan conflict, the IAF, which had achieved equal status with the Army on 15 January , possessed in excess of 70, personnel and was nearing its squadron goal.

Its composition in the autumn of included 23 fighter category squadrons, three tactical bomber squadrons, a maritime patrol squadron with ex-Air India L. Numerically predominating in the fighter inventory was the Gnat, equipping eight squadrons; six squadrons were equipped with the Hunter, a further four on the MiGFL and two on the Mystere IVA.

Two squadrons fulfilled the photo-recce fighter role with adapted Vampire T Mk. The bombing element comprised three squadrons equipped with the Canberra; the maritime reconnaissance unit, No.

The airlift component consisted of two squadrons with An- 12Bs, three with C- Gs, three with Cs, two with Otters and one each with s and Caribous while one squadron was in process of converting from the C to the HS. As the sixties translated to the seventies, the IAF consolidated its expansion plans, attaining its squadron goal. Flying training was rationalised and expanded and, in January , the Air Force Academy at Dundigal near Hyderabad was inaugurated. The professional standards, capability and flexibility of the much expanded Service were soon to be put to the acid test.

From early , as the political situation on the sub-continent deteriorated, the IAF was alerted to the possibility of another armed conflict.

For some weeks in November, both Indian and Pakistan governments protested violations of national airspace along the western border, but aerial conflict between the respective air arms began in earnest on 22 November, preceding full-scale warfare between India and Pakistan by 12 days. At hours, four Pakistani Sabres strafed Indian and Mukti Bahini positions in the Chowgacha Mor area, and 10 minutes later, while engaged on a third strafing run, the Sabres were intercepted by four Gnats from No.

During the ensuing melee, three of the Sabres were shot down, all Gnats returning to base unscathed. The first blood of a new Indo-Pakistan air war had been drawn. Other encounters were to follow over the next 10 days, within both Indian and Pakistani airspace, before full-scale war began on 3 December.

In response and during the ensuing two weeks, the IAF carried out some 4, sorties in the West from major and forward bases in Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan, while, in the East, a further 1, sorties were flown.

Throughout the conflict, in which Indian strategy was to maintain basically defensive postures on the western and northern fronts whilst placing emphasis on a lightning campaign in the east, the IAF established a highly credible serviceability rate which exceeded 80 per cent. Mission emphasis throughout was on interdiction.

In the West the IAF's primary tasks were disruption of enemy communications, the destruction of fuel and ammunition reserves, and the prevention of any ground force concentrations so that no major offensive could be mounted against India while Indian forces were primarily engaged in the East.

On the Eastern front, the Indian forces launched a sophisticated campaign which included rapid-moving infantry and armour advancing from three directions, airborne and heliborne assaults, missile bombardments from ships and an amphibious landing, the IAF's task being primarily direct support of the ground forces. In a classic air action in the Western desert, four Hunters of the OCU, detachment at Jaisalmer destroyed an entire armoured regiment at Longewala, literally stopping the enemy offensive on its tracks.

The IAF had good reason for satisfaction with its showing during the December conflict. Although Pakistan had initiated the war with pre-emptive air strikes against major forward air bases, the IAF rapidly gained the initiative and had thereafter dominated the skies over both fronts. Admittedly, there had to be war losses but the IAF flew many more sorties than its opponent with interdiction missions predominating, and the bulk of the Service's attrition was the result of intensive anti-aircraft fire; in aerial combat, the IAF proved its superiority in no uncertain manner.

First round had gone to the Gnats, again, but it's later compatriots, the MiGs, shortly demonstrated the superiority of this supersonic fighter. Three MiG squadrons, operating from Guwahati and Tezpur took part in counter-air, escort and close air support tasks during the blitzkrieg action in Bangladesh. That the MiG was highly effective in short range, precision attacks were amply demonstrated during the attacks with kg bombs on the PAF's air bases at Tezgaon and Kurmitola, while pinpoint 57 mm rocket attacks were carried out against key command centres in the capital Dacca itself.

It was in the Western theatre that the MiG was employed in its primary task, that of air defence, escort and interception. Deployed at all the major air bases, from Pathankot in the north to Jamnagar in the South Western area, the MiGFLs mounted hundreds of combat air patrol sorties over Vital Points VP and Vital Areas VA , flew escort missions for bombers and strike fighters and were continuously scrambled to intercept hostile intruders.

The MiG finally met its original adversary, the F- Starfighter, in air combat over the subcontinent during the December conflict and in all four recorded cases of classic dog fights, the MiGs outclassed and out fought the F- s. Notwithstanding the successful campaign of December which created both history and geography, the Indian Air Force had lessons to draw from subsequent analyses of the conflict, although for the most part, these lessons dictated refinement rather than any fundamental change.

The early seventies saw force levels being consolidated, and training in new weapons-systems and evolution of new tactics being honed. The IAF was to benefit from a crest in the eighties, the period witnessing a major modernisation programme which replaced most of the earlier generation and obsolete equipment with spanking new aircraft types and weapon systems.

No less than twenty new aircraft types and sub-types entered the IAF's service over these years, including various strike fighters, third-generation supersonic interceptors, tri-sonic reconnaissance aircraft, strategic heavy lift transports, medium tactical transports, light transport aircraft, heavy lift and medium-assault helicopters, basic trainers, surface-to-air missiles and an array of sophisticated weaponry propelling the IAF, or Bharatiya Vayu Sena, into one of the world's better equipped air arms.

After many years of evaluation and negotiation, the Anglo-French fighter was contracted for, an interim batch of ex-RAF Jaguars being accepted to re-equip No. These were followed by a batch of U. By the mids, the Jaguar was in service with Nos.

The Jaguar strike fighter was equipped also with Magic air-to-air missiles on unique overwing pylons, featured advanced nay-attack systems and able to carry formidable payload till the far ends of the sub-continent. The MiGbis assumed the prime air defence mantle and sufficient numbers were acquired in to equip three squadrons Nos. With some MiGs delivered by HAL and nearly MiGs including the two-seat operational trainers imported as "fly aways", the type remained an immense asset for the Indian Air Force for over a quarter century.

The quantity vs. With the various development programmes to enhance the operational performance of the HF Marut by HAL abandoned for one reason or the other, the Government of India concluded an agreement with the Soviet Union for the MiG variable-sweep fighter. The dedicated strike derivative, selected for licence production by HAL, was the MiGM which shared the overall configuration of the BN but was optimised for low-level, high-speed performance. The last Sukhoi Su-7 Squadron No. Induction of the new generation F fighter by the PAF in was a "dejavu" type situation for India and in order to counter such a challenge, the Government contracted for the MiGMF air superiority version of the swing-wing fighter, equipped with beyond-visual range missiles, and two new squadrons Nos.

However, these were considered only an interim solution and, in the absence of suitable, known, Soviet equivalents, India turned to Western sources for an advanced technology interceptor. IAF pilots and technicians had converted to the Mirage at Mont de Marsan and ferried the fighters from France in the summer of Two squadrons Nos. Ravish Malhotra, who was shortlisted and trained along with Sharma, rewinds to the historic space odyssey.

But while the project for 56 medium transport aircraft by the Tata-Airbus consortium is set to take off this year, the much bigger one for fighter jets will take several years to reach that stage.

The Russian origin aircraft, now capable of effecting mid-air refuelling, is compatible with latest missiles and can launch multi-dimensional attacks. Confronted with a fast-depleting number of fighter squadrons, and long delays in new inductions, the IAF is scrambling around the globe to acquire old jets retired and mothballed by other countries to bolster its existing combat fleet. The Standing Committee on Defence said that while the sanctioned strength was 42, Indian Air Force at present has 35 active squadrons.

Sources said China's fast-paced modernisation of its air force and India's preparedness to deal with any security challenge are being discussed at the two-day conference.

Replying to a question, she said the total strength of the Army as on July 1 is Both China and Pakistan are fast bolstering their fleets, the IAF is down to just 34 fighter squadrons each has jets as of now. IAF is all set to raise four more squadrons of Su MKI fighter in the near future as it prepares to induct the tenth unit of the aircraft in Punjab along the Pakistan border. Have you read these stories? Tamil Nadu reports 14 deaths amid heavy rains Updated: Nov 12, , As many as 14 people have lost their lives in Tamil Nadu due to heavy rains.

ET NOW. Brand Solutions. He said his emphasis would be on cyber warfare that would include mitigation of cyberattacks and carrying parallel cyberattacks along with kinetic warfare. Theaterisation should consider strength of each service. The new air chief said the IAF remains committed towards integration of the defence forces but the structures and processes have to cater to the needs of future warfare.

For instance, air-to-ground missions are also supplemented with surface-to- surface missiles. Hence, the need for more aircraft to perform these roles should diminish accordingly. Also, attack helicopters contribute to combat capability. The helicopters supplement the ground attack aircraft, especially in the forward edge of a battle area. Pakistan, with fighter aircraft, has only 18 F fighters with contemporary technology. The rest of its fighter fleet has obsolescent technology.

China has 2, fighter aircraft, but it also needs to deploy them elsewhere for national air defence management. Therefore, Beijing cannot employ its entire fighter strength against India.

Today, the concept of airpower need not be measured in terms of numerical superiority. For any air force, it undergoes transformation with advanced aeronautics technologies and aircraft mid-life upgrades. Bounce turns old scooters into electric vehicles. Why African students overstay in Bengaluru.