New Delhi: The fighter squadron strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will reach the desired numbers by 2032, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Thursday.
Addressing the customary annual press conference here ahead of the October 8 IAF anniversary, the Air Force chief said that as squadrons of older fighter jets retire, Rafale fighters and Light Combat Aircraft Tejas would fill in the gap, and eventually, single-engine India-made fighter jets would take the numbers up to the desired 42 squadrons.
“There is a plan by the government of India to induct fighters and by the end of 15th Plan – 2032, we will have the authorised strength. But with the numbers that we have got, we are capable of carrying out operations anytime,” Dhanoa said.
At least 14 squadrons of MiG 21 and MiG 27 fighter jets are set to retire between 2015-2024, and one squadron of Jaguar fighter jets is to retire in 2027.
Dhanoa said the IAF would be buying 40 Tejas LCAs (Light Combat Aircraft) — 20 with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and 20 with Final Operational Clearance (FOC). In addition, 83 more LCAs are to be bought, which will make up for the requirement of single-engine aircraft.
“The Mig 21 and Mig 27 squadrons are going out. To make up for this number, 40 LCAs — 20 in IOC standard and 20 in FOC standard — and we will shortly issue an RFP for 83 more LCAs,” Dhanoa said.
Another 36 Sukhoi-30 fighters, and 36 Rafale jets which have been bought from France will also make up for the retiring squadrons.
“So, the numbers will not go down below what we are right now. We will start going up only when the single-engine fighters come in, that is when the numbers will start going up,” Dhanoa said.
In reply to a question, Air Chief said that the IAF has the capability of locating and striking nuclear and other targets in Pakistan.
This he said when asked about global concerns over the safety of Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons and whether IAF would be able to disarm Islamabad of its nuclear assets if necessary.
“We have a draft nuclear doctrine. It is answered in that – what happens when the enemy decides to use nuclear weapons on us. As far as IAF is concerned, it has the ability to locate, fix and strike and that is not only for tactical nuclear weapons but for other targets across the border (as well),” he said.
Dhanoa said the IAF has the capability to carry out “full spectrum” of offensive at a “short notice” to thwart any security challenge facing the country.
He said that the first three women fighter pilots are set to be commissioned by the end of this year, and a second batch of three more women pilots are now being trained for the role.
“Last year we took a step forward by inducting the first batch of women pilots in the fighter stream. You will be glad to know that their performance has been at par with other pilots despite the strenuous and demanding nature of flying,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
“Consequently next batch of three women trainees has been selected for fighter stream in July 2017,” he said.
Dhanoa said the first three women fighter pilots – Bhawana Kanth, Mohana Singh and Avani Chaturvedi – are about to complete their training.
“On completion, these three women will be commissioned in fighter stream by the end of this year,” he said.
Asked if more women officers were to be commissioned as fighter pilots, he said it depends on how many women volunteer and how many of them clear the aptitude and other tests required for the role.
“As far as the women fighter pilots are concerned, they have volunteer for it. Secondly they have to make a cut in their aptitude.
“Flying is governed by laws of physics… It is like driving a car, it is gender neutral,” he said
Dhanoa also said that at present, it is an experimental project for five years, and after that the Defence Ministry will take a call on whether to continue it.
The Indian Air Force, in June last year, commissioned three women as fighter pilots.
Women form a very minor section in the armed forces, with the IAF having the highest number at 1,350 followed by the army with 1,300 and the navy with 450 women officers, according to official information.
The 1.3 million-strong armed forces have 59,400 officers.