New Delhi, October 4
Indian Air Force Chief Arup Raha today warned that older aircraft were on their last leg and with new acquisitions running behind schedule, the IAF’s fighting capability might be blunted.

The existing Soviet-era fighter jets of the IAF are scheduled to be phased out over the next eight years. The IAF presently has 34 fighter jet squadrons (16-18 planes in each) against the need of 45 squadrons to tackle a simultaneous two-front war scenario with China and Pakistan.

“There is a delay in each and every project. Be it the design and development of the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA), the acquisition of the 126 medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) or the design and development of the India-Russia joint venture fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA),” said the Air Chief at a press conference here today. “We have lost the timelines, overruns are much more than they should have been. It is definitely a matter of concern,” he said.

The IAF Chief said parts of the fighter fleet were on their last leg, especially the MiG-21 and needed replacement.

MiG-21, and MiG-27 squadrons are slated for progressive phasing out over the 12th Plan (2012-2017) and 13th Plan (2017-22) periods. Out of its fleet of 260 MiGs, the IAF has 110 upgraded MiG-21 Bisons. “The drawdown (phasing out of jets) has to be prevented by quick induction of LCA and MMRCA. However, the FGFA will take some time,” he said.

On the FGFA, he said there were some technology issues that were being resolved. “The FGFA will fructify but may not be in the timeline determined earlier. There will be a delay,” he said. On the MMRCA, Raha said this was the replacement for the MiGs.