Alternate options, $9 billion for Rafale

Alternate options, $9 billion for Rafale

It's better to invest such huge amount in other armed forces like army and existing air force projects to speed up and enhance the quality and reliability, rather than going for an expensive Rafale fighter deal, The Rafale is not a magic plane that can sneak and destroy Pakistani and Chinese positions, other IAF jets like Su 30 MKI and Jaguar too do the same.

Currently many of the air force fighter program is running slow due to lack of funds, since Ministry and IAF stocking money to seal the Rafale deal. on the other side IAF backbone fighter  MKI waiting to get spare parts and ordinances. The Jaguar DARIN program delayed due to lack of funds, and the engine selections process too couldn't be resolved since ages.

The numbers won't make changes rather than technologically evolved fighters, There is no assessment that, authorized 45 squadron fighters can save India from coordinated attack by both China and Pakistan. although maintaining those 45 squadron of fighters also drain IAF's budget. So it's better to enhance the older fighters to keep them with upgrades.

There is no chance of using those older MiG 21 and MiG 27 in modern battles since they are not capable to survive in modern theater despite upgrades, It's better decommission those jets as soon as possible rather than scheduled decommission, this will consume more IAF's budget and also threats IAF pilots too who handles those vintage soviet fighters.

Air force recently started upgrading the Mirage 2000 with new avionics and sensor suites with modern weapons. It's reported that, HAL can roll out six modernized Mirage 2000 every year. the upgrade works scheduled to be completed before 2020. the new mirages are better in all terms, also shares few modern technologies with Rafale.  

The new mirages comes with new sensor suites, modern air to air missiles and engines, which makes it one of the better and modern fighter in IAF, IAF always maintained the service availability of Mirage 2000 is by more than 75%. IAF operates three squad of Mirage 2000.

Jaguar is the other one who waiting for good upgrade with modern engines and missiles, The Jaguars are one of the better platform used to carryout precision ground attack and SEAD missions. Jaguars with his unique features like terrain hugging fly path and lack of radar, provide better survivability in modern battlefields too.

The maritime Jaguars are already upgraded with new avionics and missiles, US made new generation Harpoon missile added in place of older generation Sea Eagle missiles. Even though IAF plans to replace the older Agave radar with modern Israeli AESA radar. also IAF plans to integrate the US made AGM 88 HARM missile to replace older martel missile to conduct anti radar missions.

The IS version of Jaguars also carries cluster munitions like US made CBU 105 and modern precision guided munitions, All the IAF jaguars can carry a pair of ASRAAM IR guided missiles for self defense. IAF operates six squadron of Jaguars. upgrading them with all the above said system keeps Jaguar better till 2035.

Sukhoi Su 30 MKI is one of the primary air superiority platform, however the fighter shows many problems, which include engine issues and lack of spare parts. which makes half of the fleet on the ground. The Su 30 MKI can conduct all kind of missions include anti shipping, air to ground and air to air missions.

IAF looking to upgrade the Su 30 MKI into super sukhoi with new generation avionics and engines, However as per current scenario the Super Sukhoi upgrade may be pushed to 2030 or so. What IAF need is to improve the service availability of Su 30 MKI upto some 75%, By opening new over haul centers allowing to stock more spares.

Recent contract with Israel to equip the Su 30 with new gen litening pod with Spice glide bombs makes the Su 30 MKI gives better stand off capability, the same what Rafale do since years by impressing nations with pin point ground strike even bypassing dense air defense systems with the help of spectra, The Su 30 MKI can configurable such system.  Su 30 MKI currently flies with Israeli EW system, which can be replaced with modern Israeli systems. adding those can even by pass Rafale's qualities too.

What the Rafale also have is long range stand off cruise missile, the SCLAP EG is better for air to ground strike with the range of more than some 200 kilometers. IAF also mulls for Brahmos in Su 30 MKI, however the Brahmos costs is too much, It's better DRDL can develop such air launched missiles similar like Pakistani Ra'ad and SCLAP EG for better stand off missile strike. IAF operates upto some 12 squad of Su 30 MKI. the numbers may increased by 15 in coming years.

MiG 29 is another platform that IAF currently doing upgrades, with new upgrades the MiG 29 is also act as a good company with Mirage and LCA. HAL can complete the upgrades before 2020. The new upgrades include modification in air frame to carry more fuel and carry heavy ordinances. IAF operates nearly three squad of MiG 29 UPG jets. 

The above mentioned fighter jets alone comes nearly 27 squadrons, adding more number of Tejas can roughly give 30 squad fighters with service availability of more than 75%, That's what we call a real and better air power, rather than 45 squads with 50% service availability. Even it's a known concern that IAF lack of fighter pilots too.

By spending those $9 billion into above said fighters makes more than what 100+ Rafale's do in IAF. this money can speed up the upgradation works and gives more fund to buy spares and ammunition's. quarter of the amount can also been spend for modernizing the air fields and protection systems like base defense VSHORAD's and Radar jammer systems.

The late and costly Rafale fighter won't suit Indian economical needs, It will bankrupt the IAF. It's clear no other US, European and Sweden Jets won't makes sense, they too abolish the IAF. 

Expanding the goal of IAF

Expanding the goal of IAF

   Indian air force slowly expanding his wings from primary air defense into major offensive force, with the induction of new generation fighter jets along with better missile systems. The Air force not only conduct air defense missions, also supports the ground troops by neutralizing ground targets, New procurement plans which include Rafale also known as best in terms of ground strike and primary air defense missions.

    IAF's first ground attack jet is the MiG 23, It's the bomb carrier, still won't hit targets in high precision, mostly it was used for making craters in the fields, the wide application is anti runway missions, taking out enemy runway means they wouldn't able to launch their fighter aircraft's. Nowadays such carpet bombings are not effective due to the raise of low level quick reaction missiles deployed in the air force bases.

    Jaguar is the first aircraft who comes with guided bombing capability. The Jagaur performed very well in NATO missions in Afghan and Iraq, So did in Indo Pakistani war's too. Specially in the Kargil war. Jaguar is the only certified fighter jet in IAF who can carry nuke bombs. Jaguar won't carry Radar's. however it uses the infrared and laser guidance kit mounted in it's nose. Jagaur also designed to fly very low aided by terrain following guidance system.

     Some of IAF Jaguar's modernized with Agave radar which will be replaced by Israeli radar. Those are used for maritime attack missions. One squadron of IAF's Jaguar IM armed with Harpoon anti shipping missile. IAF also plans to use the Jaguar till 2035 or the arrival AMCA. With new upgrades of Honeywell Engines and Israeli AESA radar's and newer air to air missiles and Guided bombs which include CBU 105 Cluster Bombs.

    IAF's key project is arming the Su 30 MKI with Brahmos cruise missile, The Sukhoi is not capable of conducting precision bombing, However Indian MKI can launch Russian made laser guided missiles like Kh 29 and other TV guided missiles with the guidance of Sukhoi's onboard  IRST. Adding the long range Brahmos cruise missile makes the Su 30 MKI can strike any targets inside Pakistan from safe distance, the term called Stand off missile strike.

    Modernized Indian Mirage's are another one who can capable to conduct precision bombing missions. The newer Mirages can capable to strike ground targets with high precision or pin point accuracy. Addition of AASM and PGM in Mirage 2000TI makes one of the best CAS platform in IAF. IAF can use the Mirage fighter for bombing close to friendly positions with it's highly reliable bombing capability.

    Tejas on the other hand also developed in the mind of multi role. ADA make the Tejas to perform all missions in Indian conditions. Who already performed laser guided ammo drop in firing range. LGB from Tejas can be guided by Israeli made Litening pods. which illuminates laser beam to the target and the bomb.

    Rafale is the key player who soon to be a part of IAF, also known as best in ground attack, Rafale is one of the best multi role attack aircraft along with F 15 Strike eagle. Rafale already performing missions in Afghan, Iraq Syria and Mali. Rafale's air power can be calculated in Baltic air policing missions and combat exercise with US fighter jets.

    All the said above fighter jets are better in terms of Aerial war fighting too, Nowadays due to the technology overlap, the one who identify the enemy and launch his missile first always wins the combat, Modern missiles are jam proof more agile and high speed than the fighter jets.

    IAF is known as one of the best air to air missile arsenal, It have missiles from Europe, Israel and Russia, IAF fighter jets already employed modern air to air missiles like ASRAAM, MICA, Derby, Python, and all kind of Russian missiles.

    A combination of Two variety of any above fighter jets networked with Phalcon AEWCS can kill any large modern column of enemy fighter jets. 

     The above points are clearly showing IAF changing it's primary air defense missions into multi role combat capable fleet. who is already in operational. 

IAF Dream of 42 Squadron of Fighter Jets

IAF Dream of 42 Squadron of Fighter Jets 

   The Cabinet committee approved IAF to operate 42 squadron of fighter jets, to confront against both Chinese and Pakistani Air force same time. not only the combat jets, the need of support planes like cargo planes, airborne Radar systems, ELINT planes, and rotary wing systems like Helicopters, unmanned platforms and anti air missiles. as Air force almost lost good years by focusing only the MMRCA acquisition and LCA, now only the government providing full support to speed up the pending deals.

    The air force now running with very low number of combat air crafts, less than twenty five squadron fighters jets only combat capable. which can fight against either China or Pakistan, however not withstand against coordinated attack by both Chinese and Pakistani fighter jets. currently Indian Air force have some ten plus Su 30 MKI squads, six Jaguar squad, three MiG 29 and another three Mirage 2000 squads, which are capable to fight or out perform both Chinese and Pakistani air crafts.

    IAF's Flanker and Fulcrum variants are highly customized fighters, which can out perform Pakistani F 16 Blk 52 fighters and Chinese Su 27 Flankers, the Mirage is a good multi role fighter can perform multiple missions in single sortie, China and Pakistan don't have such kind of fighters. Jaguar is the best ground attacker jets, can fly very low and used for suppressing enemy air defense systems,which is called as Bomb truck.

    In future IAF plan is to induct two squad of Indian made Tejas MK 1 and another eight squadron of improved Tejas MK 1 A. this ten squads eventually replaces the older MiG 21 and MiG 27 fighters. as per plan all MiG 21 and MiG 27 fighters will be withdrawn from service before 2022. with or without adding an replacement. IAF currently operating nearly 15 squadron of MiG 21 and MiG 27 fighters. each year two MiG 21 and one MiG 27 squadrons replaced without adding new fighters, despite delay of LCA and Rafale.

    IAF plans to replace those MiG 21 with the addition of desi made Tejas MK 1 fighters. The Tejas is yet to test fire a Radar guided missile and yet to perform air refueling which is a milestone to achieve final operational clearance to be certified to fly combat missions under IAF tag. The MMRCA meant to replace those MiG 27 ground attack jets with more powerful multi role Rafale jets. the government scrapped the MMRCA and went to direct purchase of less than two squad of Rafale's. it's believed that IAF may license manufacture more than ten squadron of Rafales in India, however it's still on speculations.

In the next decade IAF comes with variety of new fighter jets, which include fifth generation fighter jets like PAK FA and FGFA, which brings the IAF squadron count close to 42,

15 Squad of Su 30 MKI

10 Squad of Tejas MK 1 and MK 1 A

6   Squad of Jaguar M/S

3   Squad of PAK FA

3   Squad of MiG 29 UPG  

2   Squad of Mirage 2000 TI

2   Squad of Rafale F3R

    Thus brings the Fighter Aircraft numbers close to 41 squadrons, before 2025. that is ten years from Now, as before IAF may face least number of Squad in coming days. that's counted less than 25 squadrons.

    IAF's another major program is to modernize the strategic and tactical air lifters. IAF currently operates some nine C 17 globe master III and fifteen Il 76 MD planes. IAF lost to capture the  Boeing's last ten C 17 from it's final assembly line, which makes the IAF to sufficient in strategic air lifters for next forty years. because of the lose IAF needs to look up some other platforms or modernize the Il 76 MD planes. Ai rforce also acquires 12 C 130 J tactical transporters for special operations, and IAF plans to buy more numbers of C 130 J in coming years.

     Another program is to replace the HS 748 Tactical transporters with much powerful modern C 295 transporters. TATA won the deal to supply some 50+ Planes to the IAF. however the contract yet to be signed. due to the delay in MTA project, IAF upgraded almost all An 32 Cline Transporters into An 32 RE with the support from Ukraine, which will be remain in service till 2030.

    The Fighter Jets must need tactical supports like Aerial Refueling and Airborne radar support, IAF currently operates seven IL 78 MKI refeulers, and IAF shortlisted french airbus A 330 MRTT to supply six more aerial refulers to IAF. the contract yet to be signed, anyhow this numbers are not enough for large IAF fleet. IAF must need atleast 20 such bigger aerial refuelers.

    Airborne Radar support is another major aspect in air combat, who assist the friendly aircraft. also perform as a flying air traffic controller who assign and coordinate friendly fighter jets to carry out strike missions. IAF currently operates three Phalcon AEWCS and another two under construction in Israel. two EMB 145 AEWCS under testing. IAF also shortlisted Airbus A 330 to supply six air frames to DRDO, to modify the air crafts who can carry DRDO developed LRSTR Radar on it's top. which is similar to American E 3 sentry aewcs, all these support planes may enter the IAF before 2020, and within next ten years IAF dominate the Asian skies as proving one of the best Air force in Asian continent.

2nd hand Mirages for Indian Air force

2nd hand Mirages for Indian Air force

    The Indian Air forces major problem is the less numbers of required Fighter jets and Failed back up plans, as their two Back up plans failed to restore the squadron strength, It looks like IAF plans to re think to look on the Qatari proposal of buying their Mirage 2000-9 fighters, and the Greece also shown interests of sell their Mirage 2000-5 Fleet. as Greece in major problem of no reserve money to run the government.

     MiG 21, and Mig 27 is running behind the Schedule of the retired date, they even didn't have the capability of doing single mission in modern combat, IAF plans to retire them by early 2010 or at most 2012, with one major plan and another Back up plan, they almost in Talks with the government to purchase multi role combat Jets since 2000,  more than fifteen years still no progress of the Acquisitions, except missing deadlines and Bureaucracy sounds,  and another is the LCA Tejas, which is also in same scenario running behind the Schedule.

     While some one says, If HAL completes a design and Suggest it to the IAF, the IAF change the requirements and ask for different model. not the entire air frame but some minor changes. ADA again spend  one or two years to design new and request the IAF to accept, But meantime , New Technologies were incorporated by foreign enemy air forces as new technologies  discovered. so Air force again changes it's requirements and design new one .thus makes the Program delay. But actually it's the history of Invention and emerging threats from foreign air force makes the outdated Fighter not capable to fight against the enemy.

   as those two plans are almost dead, The Air force gets a option of spend some $2 billions for fighter Aircrafts, The IAF loves the Mirage very well, it proved well in the Kargil, so they need to upgrade those Mirages into newest standard. meantime they get another proposal from Qatar that they willing sell their mirages to foreign countries, Qatar has some 10+ Mirages 2000 all were upgraded into newest version along new Radar and New Engines. But IAF has only one plans buy the Mirages from Qatar and forget the Upgradation vice versa.

   But interestingly the IAF decision makers took a good decision of upgrading the Mirage 2000 platform into most advanced Mirage 200OTH version, but yes the Mirage upgrade is too costly, same for the missile packages, the deal almost went more than $3 billions. and IAF already inducted those Highly upgraded modern Mirages into the IAF fleets. Interesting is the mirages service availability remains more than 80%. means almost all Miarges Ready to fly mode in all times,meantime the Indian made HAL Su 30 MKI service availability somewhere between 50-60 percentage.

   As no clear path of Rafale procurement, IAF lost it's hopes over the Rafale's. also the depleting squadron strength also makes huge problems. so they look for second hand planes, earlier many of the  defense analysts raised their voice over the same concern and insisted  buying some retired F 18 fighters from the US Navy, Thus gives the life to IAF more than 10 years, means some 100 second hand F 18 can easily fill up five full fledged Squadrons, makes sense for depleting squadrons,

  But for sake, The Greece is in heavy financial crisis, some western Journalists reports Greece may sell their advanced Mirage 2000 Fleets and stick with the F 16 only, the Greece uses those Mirages very well, the Mirage protected Greece Airspace from intruders and violators, early in 1996 the Greece Mirage 2000 engaged a Turkish F 16 and Shoot it down, later in the 2012 they did the same, again Turkey F 16 violates, The Greek Mirage Shoot it down, Just last week same kind of incident a Turkish F 16 flew near to a Greek controlled Island, within a minutes Greek Miarge 2000 dispatched and Chased the Turkish F 16, But didn't shoot it.

   Both Qatari and Greek Mirages are upgraded and modern one, well maintained also combat proven, but which should come in a Handy price of some $7 to $12 million a piece, Qatar has some 10 Miarges and Greece has some 40 Mirages, with the combine price of some $500 millions makes that good deal, and another $500 millions for Ground support equipments and missiles makes the deal very good for stop gap measure.

  But the Option is on the Ministry's Table, and they should take care of the IAF proposal.

How Indian Air Force made history with the Kargil War

      Operation "Safed Sagar" commenced on May 26, 1999 and concluded on July 11, 1999 after all military objectives were achieved. This was the first time in the history of military aviation that air power was used at a height of upto 32,000 feet by the Indian Air Force.

     From April 1999, the Pakistan Army along with elements of Mujahadeen (irregulars) crossed the 168km Line of Control (LoC), along Kargil and occupied high ground and vantage points. The intrusion was announced by the Indian Army by May 7-8 and had come as a complete surprise to the military as well as intelligence agencies. The decision to induct the IAF was taken on May 24 after due deliberations at the highest levels of the Indian government and instructions were issued to jointly, with the Army, evict the intruders. It was emphasised that the IAF must not cross the LoC.

      The targets were small sangars (shelters made of boulders) and isolated tents. This made close air force support to the army extremely difficult. Initially, the targets were not known to the Indian Army and little or no information was available to the Air Force. The stinger was also formidable. This shoulder fired the missile system, a Canberre aircraft, and managed to hit on a recce mission on May 21. Fortunately, the aircraft returned safely. An Mig 21 was lost on May 27 and an MI-17 Heptr the very next day due to stingers. Thereafter, a change of tactics and attack patterns was necessitated to stay above the stinger "bubble". This implied that weapon delivery would need to be above 26,000ft and upto 32,000ft. At such height, the aircraft performance reduces drastically due to less atmospheric density as also the ballistics of bombs. The piloting skills of the Indian Air Force overcame the difficulties and ensured discernable results.

        The first phase of Air Force operations was to conduct a recce to identify the targets, the second was interdiction, which was to hit the logistics and administration camps that supplied ammunition, food, fuel, et al to the occupied posts in the higher mountain reaches. Then the Air Force moved to the final phase -of providing close air support after the target systems were clearly identified. All the phases were executed in close co-operation with the Army.

          Credit must be given to the Mig 21 and Mig 27 pilots, who, with primitive navigation/attack systems, were very effective. The use of hand held GPS (Global Positioning System) was an innovation that produced great results when used for area targets. The constant bombardment had a tremendously demoralising effect on the adversary's psyche.

        The terrain consisted of the Himalayas running in the northwest-southeast direction, with peaks reaching above 22,000 to 25,000 feet. On the northern side of LoC, the valleys were running in the north-south direction with gradual slopes to the peaks. Most targets were on the northern slopes. This made it rather difficult to evolve a strike pattern without crossing the LoC. Wind speeds were somewhere between 50-100 knots per hour.

          The sun rise cast shadows in the valleys from 8AM, when visibility was considerably reduced and targets could not be seen. The clouds engulfed the ridges and peaks by 11AM. Therefore, the window of opportunity was only the three-hour period between 8AM and 11AM.

         The tide turned from the middle of June 1999. At this time, the areas of occupation became known. The Army was now in a position to make an attack plan versus the target systems. As a consequence, the Air Force was able to coordinate with the Army the "close Air support" requirements.

        The Mirage 2000 aircraft, the pilots and engineers performed exceptionally well. In a very short period of time, the "Laser Guided Bombs" were made operational. No pilots or engineers and technicians were trained at the beginning of the campaign, but within a week they carried out trials and training. The accurate delivery of "Laser Bombs" on Tiger Hill - a command post in the Mashkoh sector - was devastating. Innovations like cheating the computers, for different than authorised weapon carriage, were commendable. The lasing time of the laser pods was altered manually with good results. There were no fuzes available for the 1000lb bombs, so pistol fuzes were modified and used effectively. Clearance for carriage of 1000lbs indigeneous bombs was done at Gwalior, the home base of the Mirage 2000 aircraft. There were other innovations like using the "laser designator pod" for recce. The largest logistics camps at Muntho Dalo in the Batalik sector and Pt 4388 in the Mashkoh sector were identified through this method and neutralised effectively. The Mirage 2000 aircraft flew a total of 500 missions with only three drops outs.

       The IAF flew a total of 1,235 missions, striking 24 major target systems and ensuring air dominance over the area of operations through Air Defence Interceptor aircraft like Mirage 2000 and Mig 29s.

Significant air strikes that altered the course of the conflict:

1. June 13 1999 Tololing Ridge Complex in the Batalik Sector

2. June 17 1999 Muntho Dalo the Main Admin and Lgs camp in the Batalik sector

3. June 24 1999 Command and Control structure on Tiger Hill. Direction Centrefor forward artillery in the Dras Sector.

4. June 23 1999 Logistics Camp at Pt 4388 in Mashkoh Nallah

       The Pakistan side's armed intrusion across the LoC during May to July 1999 at the Kargil sector was a misadventure with severe consequences. The Indian side had achieved its final objective of evicting the intruders with the successful Air Force-Army joint operation. The Kargil conflict was a limited Pakistani effort to internationalise the Kashmir issue, which was seen to be losing its momentum. They had assessed that a counter attack would only last a few days and, thereafter, a ceasefire through international pressure, would allow them to stay in their occupied positions and renew their supplies. The Pakistani planners failed to assess the involvement of air power, the capability of the IAF and the Indian Army's determination.

         The hesitation, at the political and military leadership, for the use of air power, delayed the induction of the IAF for over two weeks. It was nearly a repeat of the 1962 Chinese conflict, where air power was not utilised with disastrous consequences. Perhaps a "declaratory policy" to confirm that there will be no hesitation to use air power for any willful violation of the LoC or the international border is warranted. This would have a deterrant effect.

        Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaisance capability are of utmost importance to national security and the induction of two Pakistan Army battalions in the region should have been monitored. Gilgit, Skardu and Gulteri in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) should have been under surveillance round the year. Strategic reconnaissance is a core competency of all Air Force and in India, it is included in external intelligence gathering under R&AW (Aviation Research Centre). The gap between satellite and tactical recce (UAVs, fighters, et al) is strategic recce, which must be with the IAF and resources provided.

         The importance of technology cannot be overstated. Induction of technology would give us greater and sustainable capability, enhancing national security considerably. Do we need high tech, well trained and motivated defence forces in smaller numbers or superior forces in large numbers? Higher level military leadership must be selected through merit. During the Kargil War, it was the middle and junior level leadership that rose to the occassion. The Kargil operation would have never happened if the higher leadership had ensured realistic threat assessment and planning.

       There should be greater interaction between the political and military leadership. Thus far, it is non existent. Military leadership does not only include the chiefs of staff, but also the Air Force, Army and Navy commanders who formulate and execute the operational plans. This would expedite and rationalise the decision making process during conflict situations.

       In the final analysis, Kargil was a military, diplomatic and political success for India. However, the loss of nearly 500 military men and over 1,100 serious casualties, subdues the success. During this Kargil Diwas, we should spare a moment for the great uniformed personnel who gave their today for our tomorrow. Jai Hind.

Article by Air Marshal PS Ahluwalia posted in Daily O

Cold war Tactics again, IAF lands Mirage in Highway Road

Cold war Tactics again, IAF lands Mirage in Highway Road

         It's in the Morning outside Agra, The civil Police and IAF officials closed some part of the yamuna express way, within a moments a IAF Mirage 2000 fly low and approached for landing, then successfully landed on the Road, It's the first time IAF evaluating such emergency operational procedures in case of IAF bases forced to withdrawn by enemy bombing or missile Strike.

     This is the first time IAF doing such hard missions, where Pakistan and Chinese already successfully carried out such exercises.  It's the common idea for most of the air force using the transport roadways for emergency landing and Take off. the Americans Finnish Russians almost all major forces already did such Road landing. but compared to west and Chinese The Indian Express Roads have Street Lights and Electric posts which prevents the aircraft's low fly and Roadway landing.

         All most all of the countries plans to strike the enemy Air bases to prevent them to use their Fighters, like Israeli's during six days war almost destroyed half of the Egyptian Fighters in the Ground where Israel bombed the Runways which makes the Egyptian planes siting in ducks.  the same also being happens in the future war's.

         Chinese have numerous number of short range mobile ballistic missile, which allows them to target major Indian air force bases, to keep the IAF fighters in the Ground. but one can't make more damages to the Transport roads. since Air force can use any available nearby roads to use it's fighters to Take off.

         Landing or Take off from Roadways is too difficult, which can makes serious damages to the Aircraft engines, where roads have dusts and raw materials which can be easily enter the Fighters Jet air Intake, which causes the Engine problem leads to crashes. here IAF takes an risk plus adventure making single engine mirage 2000 for this trails. also birds near the roads also makes serious problem when landing on the Roads

         The IAF asked the state governments to construct future express high ways which capable to handle Fighter operations. having 50m wide, no stretches,no speed brakes, no nearby mobile phone towers, straight roads for some 3000feet long, which can allow the IAF operates their Fighters from Roads.

         The Roads also have side signal lights to help the Fighter to land and take off in the Nights too, which allows the Fighters can be capable of doing off site mission day and night.

The Indian Air Force Mirage 2000

The Indian Air Force Mirage 2000

The First Flight of IAF  Mirage 2000-5 MK II during Nov 2013

       The Indian Air force Purchased the Mirage 2000 during the 1980's the initial deal comprised of 49 (42+7) Fighters. By 2004 IAF purchased another 10 Mirage 2000 fighter which were fitted out with slightly better avionics and weapons point. The aircraft proved its combat effectiveness during the Kargil operation. With the Mirage turning out to be a huge success the IAF were inclined towards inducting more Mirage’s to the force. An RFP for Mirage was sent out during the MRCA deal but the Dassault opted out the Mirage and fielded the more advanced Rafale which was performing the basic demand of ground attack which was the requirement of the IAF.

           The Mirage has enjoyed an impressive record from its induction; also the avionics is extremely pilot friendly. In 2006 the IAF came up with an proposal to upgrade the entire Mirage 2000 fleet to the latest Mirage 2000-5 MK II. The deal ran into turbulent waters and by 2011 to a formal contract was signed which mandated that the entire Mirage fleet would be upgraded. As part of the up gradation program the IAF planned to arm the Mirage with IR and EM missiles and in this regard a deal was signed to procure about 300 MICA IR and EM missiles. A final contract valued over $3 billion was signed for the up gradation process. IAF planned to keep the upgraded Mirage 2000s combat ready for a span of another 20 years until the FGFA project could take wings.  As part of the program two mirages would be upgraded in Dassault France and another 51 Mirages would be upgraded in India by HAL. The Mirage upgrade after upgrades would have a better avionics and radar package than the SU 30.

            The Mirage 2000 is an aircraft on of its. Mirage 2000 is considered to be the best of the ground attack aircraft under the IAF. What exactly sets it apart is it’s the ‘high drag and low wing’ loading clubbed with high percentage of thrust. The Mirage has a Delta wing design which is very helpful in greater Maneuverability. This factor can be a deciding factor in a dog fight.

     During the COPE, an IAF Mirage shot down a USAF F 16 in a mock combat exercise. During the Kargil operations the IAF faced huge problems with the MANPADS, in order to avoid this threat the fighters were required to fly at a very high altitude and dive steeply to 10000 ft to drop the munitions. The Jaguars and MiG 27 faced serious issues, but Mirage 2000 was the only capable fighter that could carry out successful runs throughout the operation. During the Kargil operation IAF dropped only nine 250 Kg Guided PGM's. Eight of them were dropped by Mirage 2000, the other hit was tagged to the Jaguar.

Radar RDY 3

RDY 3 Characteristic Presentation

     The upgrade package included the newest and advanced generation Thales RDY 3 Radar Doppler Multi Target Radar. Its major functions include Air to Air, Air to Surface and Air to Sea seeking. The Air to Air mode is multi capability radar it’s also effective for multi target fire control. The Air to ground mode includes high resolution terrain mapping and avoidance capabilities and ground target indication. The radar is easily switchable between Air to Air and Air to Surface Mode. The radar has a very good ECCM Capability. In the radar technology the Thales is considered generations ahead when compared to the Russian BARS radar which is still developing a AESA radar where as Thales have already delivered RBE 2 AESA to Armee de'l Air.

RF Jamming and Detection

   The Upgrade includes improving the capability of Detecting and Jamming enemy radio frequencies. The system should be in a position to warn the Pilot and also jam the signal, most of the Fighters have this as a Podded feature but here all of these are included into the Air frame.



MFD and HUD

Comparison of Old and New cockpits

      The upgrade includes upgrading the entire cockpit layout with transformation of legacy mechanical display into latest Multifunctional Display with glass cockpit. The Thales Topwl F would be the newest HUD for the pilot. The upgrade involves bettering the weapons package which includes arming the aircraft initially with 300 MICA IR and EM missiles. The Israeli spice missiles have also been offered to Indian for the Mirage upgrade. This can be outfitted with smart twin Bomb rack which holds two 250KG LGB/PGM. The Mirage has only three strong points each in one wing and one in the under carriage. Further the aircraft has three wet point. The hardpoints can be used to attach drop tanks, but there have been several instances when PGM's have been attached and used for operations. 

Smart Bomb Rack config in Mirage 2000

Editor Karthik Kakoor