Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne is pushing the government to agree with his goal of taking the IAF to the previously sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons by 2022, instead of the more scaled down level of 39.5 squadron with which even the previous chief, ACM (retd) Pradeep Vasant Naik had agreed.
The current strength of the IAF hover around 32 squadrons as more of the MiG variants get phased out.
But even then, ACM Browne is considering his stint at the helm of the IAF to be one of ‘consolidation.’ In other words, that signifies a period when the force will seek all constituents – the fighter aircraft squadrons, transport squadrons and C4I2 aircrafts like the Russia-Israel supplied Ilyushin (IL)-76 based AWACS and mid-air refuellers like IL-78 based systems be integrated together to work as a seamless system.
In fact, ACM Browne hinted this in his New Year message to the IAF air warriors.
He had said: ‘The timely integration of the new inductions with the existing legacy systems, while ensuring a high combat potential and addressing all aerospace safety concerns will be our key operational challenges. Towards this, Exercises-‘Iron Fist’ and ‘Live Wire’ are planned early this year.
We must capitalise on this opportunity for revalidating and fine-tuning our operational employment philosophies in a near real-time op scenario.’
‘I am aware of the enormity of the task which lies ahead of us but at the same time, I am also confident about the collective resolve and competence of my team. As long as we can anchor all our actions to our core values of Mission-Integrity-Excellence and work with pride, we will always achieve our mission, he added.
While the chief has mentioned the two exercises to be held on Indian soil – ‘Iron Fist’ in February and ‘Live Wire’ in March – on the agenda will be the ‘Red Flag’ exercise in the USA.
That would really test the integrated systems to their limits in almost war-like situation in Nevada, against the US Air Force.
The current strength of the IAF hover around 32 squadrons as more of the MiG variants get phased out.
But even then, ACM Browne is considering his stint at the helm of the IAF to be one of ‘consolidation.’ In other words, that signifies a period when the force will seek all constituents – the fighter aircraft squadrons, transport squadrons and C4I2 aircrafts like the Russia-Israel supplied Ilyushin (IL)-76 based AWACS and mid-air refuellers like IL-78 based systems be integrated together to work as a seamless system.
In fact, ACM Browne hinted this in his New Year message to the IAF air warriors.
He had said: ‘The timely integration of the new inductions with the existing legacy systems, while ensuring a high combat potential and addressing all aerospace safety concerns will be our key operational challenges. Towards this, Exercises-‘Iron Fist’ and ‘Live Wire’ are planned early this year.
We must capitalise on this opportunity for revalidating and fine-tuning our operational employment philosophies in a near real-time op scenario.’
‘I am aware of the enormity of the task which lies ahead of us but at the same time, I am also confident about the collective resolve and competence of my team. As long as we can anchor all our actions to our core values of Mission-Integrity-Excellence and work with pride, we will always achieve our mission, he added.
While the chief has mentioned the two exercises to be held on Indian soil – ‘Iron Fist’ in February and ‘Live Wire’ in March – on the agenda will be the ‘Red Flag’ exercise in the USA.
That would really test the integrated systems to their limits in almost war-like situation in Nevada, against the US Air Force.