New Delhi: India today said it was looking to induct around 200-250 fight generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), which are being co-developed with Russia.
"We are looking for around 200-250 aircraft," Air Chief Marshal P V Naik told reporters at a press conference for the 78th anniversary of the IAF to be celebrated on the Air Force Day on October 8. He said the aircraft weighing over 30 tonnes are expected to start joining the force by 2017.
Commenting on the capabilities of the most advanced fighter aircraft, Naik said, "It would be a swing-role fighter with highly advanced avionics, giving 360 degree situational awareness, stealth to increase survivability and smart weapons."
He added that the aircraft would be capable of covering long ranges without air to air refuelling and will have the super-cruise features along with the highly advanced mission computers.
Replying to a query, Naik said in the near future, the IAF fighter fleet would comprise mainly four types of aircraft including the FGFA, Sukhoi-30MKIs, the yet to be procured M-MRCA and the under-development Light Combat Aircraft.
At present, the IAF has seven different types of aircraft in its fighter fleet including the MiGs 21, 23, 27 and 29, Jaguars, Mirage-2000 and the Su-30 MKI.
Asked if the IAF would want to further reduce the variety of fighters with it, Naik said, "the ideal situation would be that I only have one type of aircraft but the world is not ideal".
To a query on whether the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) was looking to procure more assets, the IAF Chief said, "definitely we will need approval for more assets because the present strength is for meeting our present tasks and for additional tasks, we will require more".
Asked if the selection of the American GE-414 engine for the LCA Mk II 'Tejas' fighter would help two of the aircraft flying with the same engine in the multi-role combat aircraft deal, Naik said, "I don't think so, they are not connected at all".
50 per cent of IAF equipment obsolete: IAF chief
The Indian Air Force today said that 50 per cent of its systems and equipment were obsolete and steps were being taken to bring down the obsolescence levels in the next four to five years.
"The obsolescence percentage is 50 per cent," Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said here adding that "by 2014-15, it would come down to 20 per cent". The IAF chief was addressing his annual press conference on the Air Force Day held on October 8 every year.
Asked which was the most critical area for the force in this regard, Naik said, "Air Defence. That will be the only word." The Air Chief made it clear that even with 50 per cent obsolete equipment, the IAF was capable of handling threats from the medium of air and space. "We are fully capable of defending the country from any threat."
At present, IAF relies mainly on its Russian-origin air defence systems such as the OSA-AK and Pechora and the shoulder-fired Igla missiles, which have been in service for over two decades.
In the recent past, the IAF has been working on developing its air defence network and is looking to procure various systems in this regard.
It has already ordered for over six squadrons of the indigenously-made Akash air defence systems and the Spyder Medium-range Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM) system from Israel along with aerostat radars to prevent any aerial attacks.
The force is looking at deploying low-level and medium-level transportable radars at different locations and is also planning to procure radars for being deployed in high altitude areas along the borders with China and Pakistan.
AFSPA needed, legal protection must for troops
The IAF on Tuesday justified the need for the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), whose removal has been demanded by the Jammu and Kashmir government, saying "legal protection" is a must for the troops to efficiently perform their tasks.
"A soldier fighting anywhere at the request of the government and not voluntarily, must have legal protection otherwise he would be left inefficient to complete the job in which either the central or the state government has interest in," Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said while addressing the annual Air Force day press conference here.
The IAF chief was asked to comment on the need for AFSPA for the troops to operate in areas such as Jammu and Kashmir and some parts of the North-east states.
J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and various human rights organisations have been demanding the withdrawal of the Act. On the issue of withdrawal of the Public Safety Act in J-K, Naik said it was government's prerogative to take a decision and refused to further comment on the issue.
Source: PTI
Commenting on the capabilities of the most advanced fighter aircraft, Naik said, "It would be a swing-role fighter with highly advanced avionics, giving 360 degree situational awareness, stealth to increase survivability and smart weapons."
He added that the aircraft would be capable of covering long ranges without air to air refuelling and will have the super-cruise features along with the highly advanced mission computers.
Replying to a query, Naik said in the near future, the IAF fighter fleet would comprise mainly four types of aircraft including the FGFA, Sukhoi-30MKIs, the yet to be procured M-MRCA and the under-development Light Combat Aircraft.
At present, the IAF has seven different types of aircraft in its fighter fleet including the MiGs 21, 23, 27 and 29, Jaguars, Mirage-2000 and the Su-30 MKI.
Asked if the IAF would want to further reduce the variety of fighters with it, Naik said, "the ideal situation would be that I only have one type of aircraft but the world is not ideal".
To a query on whether the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) was looking to procure more assets, the IAF Chief said, "definitely we will need approval for more assets because the present strength is for meeting our present tasks and for additional tasks, we will require more".
Asked if the selection of the American GE-414 engine for the LCA Mk II 'Tejas' fighter would help two of the aircraft flying with the same engine in the multi-role combat aircraft deal, Naik said, "I don't think so, they are not connected at all".
50 per cent of IAF equipment obsolete: IAF chief
The Indian Air Force today said that 50 per cent of its systems and equipment were obsolete and steps were being taken to bring down the obsolescence levels in the next four to five years.
"The obsolescence percentage is 50 per cent," Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said here adding that "by 2014-15, it would come down to 20 per cent". The IAF chief was addressing his annual press conference on the Air Force Day held on October 8 every year.
Asked which was the most critical area for the force in this regard, Naik said, "Air Defence. That will be the only word." The Air Chief made it clear that even with 50 per cent obsolete equipment, the IAF was capable of handling threats from the medium of air and space. "We are fully capable of defending the country from any threat."
At present, IAF relies mainly on its Russian-origin air defence systems such as the OSA-AK and Pechora and the shoulder-fired Igla missiles, which have been in service for over two decades.
In the recent past, the IAF has been working on developing its air defence network and is looking to procure various systems in this regard.
It has already ordered for over six squadrons of the indigenously-made Akash air defence systems and the Spyder Medium-range Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM) system from Israel along with aerostat radars to prevent any aerial attacks.
The force is looking at deploying low-level and medium-level transportable radars at different locations and is also planning to procure radars for being deployed in high altitude areas along the borders with China and Pakistan.
AFSPA needed, legal protection must for troops
The IAF on Tuesday justified the need for the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), whose removal has been demanded by the Jammu and Kashmir government, saying "legal protection" is a must for the troops to efficiently perform their tasks.
"A soldier fighting anywhere at the request of the government and not voluntarily, must have legal protection otherwise he would be left inefficient to complete the job in which either the central or the state government has interest in," Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said while addressing the annual Air Force day press conference here.
The IAF chief was asked to comment on the need for AFSPA for the troops to operate in areas such as Jammu and Kashmir and some parts of the North-east states.
J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and various human rights organisations have been demanding the withdrawal of the Act. On the issue of withdrawal of the Public Safety Act in J-K, Naik said it was government's prerogative to take a decision and refused to further comment on the issue.
Source: PTI