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IAF's Squadron Crisis: How India Fills the Gap Amid Fighter Jet Shortage

The Indian Air Force is facing real concerns about squadron depletion but has implemented multiple measures to maintain combat readiness. They're maximizing existing resources by increasing sortie rates and using more simulators. The fifth-generation fighter program still faces a significant gap before delivery. Meanwhile, the focus remains on ensuring adequate air power for potential medium-duration conflicts.

Key Points: IAF Ensures Combat Capability Despite Squadron Depletion Dixit

  • IAF increasing sortie generation rate to six sorties per aircraft daily
  • More simulators being utilized to preserve actual flying hours
  • Recruitment efforts underway to get more personnel
  • Measures ensure air effort for medium-duration war readiness
  • Anti-drone systems needed for domestic security threats
  • Fifth-generation fighter program faces 8-10 year delivery gap
3 min read

Depleted squadron anxiety is there, but we are ensuring combat capabilites does not falter: Air Marshal Dixit

Air Marshal Dixit reveals IAF measures to maintain combat readiness amid squadron depletion concerns, including increased sortie rates and simulator use for medium-duration war preparedness.

"Depleted squadron anxiety is there with us also. We are trying to utilise the resources in the best possible manner. - Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit"

New Delhi, November 28

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), on Friday said that the Indian Air Force has undertaken several measures and is utilising the available fighter aircraft fleet in the best possible way to ensure that its combat capabilities do not take a hit amid the concerns over squadron depletion.

At the ANI's National Security Summit, when asked about the "anxiety" the public is having over the squadron depletion, Air Marshal Dixit said, "Depleted squadron anxiety is there with us also. We are trying to utilise the resources in the best possible manner. We have more simulators. We are trying to reserve the flying hours. We are trying to get a more number of people. We have also increased the sortie generation rate also. It means each aircraft will be used for six sorties in one day. These kinds of things we are doing so that the amount of air effort required for a medium-duration war, we should be able to cater to."

"We are trying to work and ensure that combat capabilities do not falter in any way," he added.

When asked if the industry sector is seeing a situation where they can install their own defence installations and if the government is working in that direction, Dixit said, "In air defence, there is an MHA directive that for small drones, which are originating within the country, which are looking to create nuisance or maybe damage theater or stadium, for that they can install. But for something coming across the border, for that we are responsible."

He said that in future warfare, the small systems won't be able to decide the course of wars. "But I think people will have to use anti-drone systems, which are against drones which create a nuisance."

Speaking on the fifth-generation fighter jet program, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said, "We have been tinkering with the fifth-generation program for a very long time... Your question relates to the gap between now and the delivery of the fifth-generation capability. There is a gap there. There will be an eight, nine, or ten-year gap. We are thinking of filling that gap."

In a significant push towards enhancing India's indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in May this year, approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is set to execute the programme through Industry partnership.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The 8-10 year gap for 5th gen fighters is concerning. Hope the AMCA program gets fast-tracked. We can't afford to lag behind our neighbors in air power.
A
Arjun K
Using simulators and optimizing resources is smart, but we need faster procurement. The bureaucracy delays everything. Jai Hind! ✈️
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Sarah B
Appreciate the honesty about squadron depletion anxiety. At least they're not hiding the reality. The focus on anti-drone systems is timely given current threats.
V
Vikram M
Six sorties per aircraft per day sounds impressive but also raises concerns about pilot fatigue and maintenance quality. Hope safety isn't compromised.
K
Kavya N
The AMCA program approval is a positive step. Make in India should extend to critical defense equipment. Proud of our forces managing with what they have! 🙏

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