Tasked with securing Indian airspace and supporting ground and maritime operations, the burden on Indian Air Force’s shoulders is gigantic. Life gets more difficult when scant resources meet mounting challenges which call for effective planning and modernisation to enhance defensive capabilities and maintain operational preparedness across theatres. How did the defenders of our skies perform in 2023? Did the Indian Air Force modernisation finally take wings? Let’s take a close look.
In 2023, focused on modernisation, the IAF set its sights on a comprehensive array of aerial assets. From state-of-the-art missile systems to cutting-edge aircraft, the IAF’s strategic moves indicated a meticulous approach to enhance firepower while simultaneously laying a strong foundation to a future-proof force.
Heron MKII
Pic: Israel Aerospace Industries
The Indian Air Force successfully inducted and operationalised four Israel Aerospace Industries’ Heron Mark-II long-endurance drones in August 2023. The platform possesses the capability to conduct SATCOM-based operations, featuring advanced sensors and avionics. The Heron Mk-II can fly at a height of 35,000 feet, with a speed of 150 knots and can fly for 36 hours in one stretch. Capable of carrying a payload, Heron Mk-II can effectively locate and strike deep inside enemy territory. This induction significantly enhances IAF’s capacity to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions at beyond visual range- especially in high-altitude operations.
Airbus C-295
In September 2023, IAF officially inducted the first of the 56 Airbus C-295 medium transport aircraft in its fleet. The 23-tonne aircraft are set to replace IAF’s aging Avro-748 fleet. The contract, worth approximately Rs22,000 crore with the delivery of 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition, is scheduled to begin from May 2024 onward. The first operational unit is expected to be fully functional by the end of 2024. The induction of the C-295 fleet is being marked as a significant modernisation effort to enhance the IAF’s airlift capabilities and contribute to the versatility of air support for the ground forces.
Akash Missile System
In 2022, three squadrons of the Akash missile system, equipped with advanced Rajendra Mk-II radars, were commissioned. The state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile system December 12, 2023 demonstrated its precision in air during military exercise ‘Astrashakti 2023’, where the platform engaged and destroyed four incoming targets in air at once. It made India the first nation to have attained the capability to engage with multiple targets at once with a proximity of 30 kilometres. There are possibilities that additional Akash squadrons could have been inducted by December 2023.
HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft
In March 2023, the Union Government approved the procurement of 70 HTT-40 valued at Rs6,800 crore. Built Indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), HTT-40 serves as a fundamental trainer aircraft for ‘ab initio pilot’ training of Air Force trainees. The aircraft deliveries are scheduled for September 2025 as mentioned in the contract.
Dornier-228 Aircraft
In March 2023 MoD signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) worth Rs667 crore for the supply of six Dornier-228 lightweight transport aircraft and maintenance equipment. Indian Air Force (IAF) Dornier-228 fleet primarily executes for communication, transport, and casualty evacuation operations.
Overall, the year 2023 marked a pivotal moment for the Indian Air Force, as it diligently advanced its mission to safeguard the nation’s skies. From the precision of the Akash Missile System to the innovative HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft, the IAF’s focus on defensive capabilities has reshaped its operational landscape. The successful inductions of Dornier-228, Heron MKII, and Airbus C-295 signal not just acquisitions, but a profound leap in IAF’s capability for intelligence, surveillance, and air support. These developments not only signal a commitment to Indian Air Force modernisation but also underscore the force’s preparedness to navigate the evolving dynamics of contemporary warfare.
As curtains draw on the year 2023, the Indian Air Force precisely defined its modernisation objectives and implemented them with perfection, is a conclusion safe to make.
Ajay Kumar Singh, OP
