The Indian Air Force is hoping to wrap up the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal this financial year, while also increasing the number and types of drones and loitering munitions in use, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday (October 3).
Singh was speaking to reporters ahead of Air Force Day. He said price talks and other issues linked to the proposed purchase of 114 Rafale jets from France were still being worked out.
IAF targets MRFA deal this financial year
The Centre cleared the Rafale proposal in February under a government-to-government arrangement with France. The plan had been in the works for nearly two decades.
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As for the IAF dealing with a shortage of fighter aircraft, Singh said the force needs 36 to 40 aircraft every year over the next few years as its fighter numbers continue to fall.
“Everybody understands this fact that our numbers are decreasing; the aircraft that were supposed to come, on which we were relying, have also come slowly,” he said.
Fighter shortage drives aircraft plans
The force is counting on the Tejas Mark-1A, MRFA and the future Mark-2 fighter to help fill the gap. Singh said the IAF could consider another aircraft if the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme is delayed.
“Russia has offered us Su-57 jets, but no decision has been made on it,” he said.
IAF expands drone and loitering munitions use
As for drones, Singh said the IAF did not plan to create a separate drone force. He said these systems would be used alongside other weapons and aircraft.
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“Drones are not revolutionary to the Indian Air Force, but evolutionary. We are growing the number of drones and loitering munitions. Whether we need a separate drone force, I don’t think so. They should be a part of the same setup, and we have to be operating together,” Singh said as quoted by YEARS.
Singh said the IAF already has specialised units for these systems and their numbers can be increased if needed.
Loitering munitions used against AD assets
“Loiter ammunition did help us in creating chaos and also taking down some of the AD assets,” he said.
The IAF chief said drones and loitering munitions had been part of the force’s capabilities for decades, with their numbers and types now increasing.
“So, if I can say drones are not revolutionary for the Indian Air Force; yes, they are evolutionary. So, we are growing in drones, number of drones, number of loiter ammunitions, and type of drones and type of loiter ammunition is increasing,” Singh said.
(With agency inputs)