The Indian Air Force is authorised to have 42 squadrons -- each comprising 16-18 fighters -- but has only 33.
The Indian Air Force doesn't have an adequate number of fighters jets to simultaneously protect the western and north-eastern borders should the need arise, Vice-Chief of Air Staff BS Dhanoa said today.
The Indian Air Force is authorised to have 42 squadrons -- each comprising 16-18 fighters -- but has only 33. Recently the IAF had to decommission 3 squadrons of aging MiG 21s and one of MiG 27.
A squadron of Russian Su-30 MKi has been added.
The government is aware of the "shortfall," said the Vice-Chief.
To add to the woes of the IAF, serviceability of its aircraft is poor. Fighter jets need proper maintenance and spares aren't available for operations - which brings the effective strength of the Air Force further down.
"Serviceability is also an issue which the government is aware of and monitoring closely,"Mr Dhanoa said.
Over the next few years, the Indian Air Force will lose another 10 squadrons of MiG 21s.
Negotiations for the Rafale jet fighter is on, but even if India and France were to sign the deal now, it will take few years before first aircraft is delivered.
To fill the gap, India is trying to acquire 36 French-made Rafale fighters and indigenously made Light Combat Air Craft - Tejas.
Negotiations for Rafale are still on. And Hindustan Aeronautics Limited - a Defence Public Sector Unit that manufactures Tejas -- is yet to deliver the first jet to the IAF. "We have asked for delivery as early as possible," the Vice Chief said.
The Tejas is likely to get its Final Operational Clearance six months from now. The IAF will buy at least 120 planes.
What is worrying some in the IAF is the fact even if India and France were to sign the deal now, it will take few years before first Rafale is delivered.
Similar is the case with Tejas. The Hindustan Aeronautics can roughly produce 8 aircraft -- less than half a squadron -- per year and urgently requires to ramp up its production to fill the gap.