IAF needs more fighter jets regardless of threat
Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal BS Dhanoa's remark that the Indian Air Force does not have enough aircraft to counter simultaneous attacks from China and Pakistan, can result in needless paranoia about the nation's preparedness. In the first place, a two-front war is unlikely. Even in the Cold War days when the US was firmly by Pakistan's side and had warmed up to China as well, following secret and then open parleys at the highest levels during Richard Nixon's presidentship, the prospect did not materialise when Pakistan and India went to war in 1965 and 1971. On both these occasions, while China extended moral support to Pakistan, it did not wade into troubled waters. Also, during the 1962 India-China conflict, Pakistan did not open a front against India in Kashmir to exploit the situation. Many reasons can be ascribed for these non-actions, and one of them is that the US, despite its leanings, discouraged new players from adding to the grim case. The situation is very different today. Not only is the US an important strategic partner for India but also that there has been a distancing between Beijing and Washington, DC on a host of issues, not the least being the tension in the disputed waters between China and friends of the US, such as the Philippines and Japan. Moreover, India is far more suitably prepared militarily and economically than it was in the 60s and the 70s to take on hostile actions by neighbours. In any case, Pakistan appears to have concluded that, having received a bloody nose in 1948, 1965, 1971 and in the 1999 Kargil conflict, it is best to wage proxy battles against its ‘enemy' with the help of separatists within India and through the infiltration of militants (trained and equipped by Pakistan Army) from its side, rather than engage in conventional wars which it will lose.
But Air Marshal Dhanoa's concerns regarding the paucity of fighter aircraft with the Indian Air Force, regardless of the two-front threat theory, are valid. For a long time now, the top brass of the air force has been trying to impress upon the political establishment the urgent need to make good the desired numbers. He is right in saying that the “squadrons are winding down” — the squadron strength is just 33 as compared to the stipulated strength of 42. The Rafale deal (originally for 126 of the medium multi-role combat aircraft) has been for now pruned to 36, which will be purchased directly from the French maker, Dassault Aviation, on a Government-to-Government basis. The aim of the direct purchase, taken by the Modi Government, was to hasten the process of acquisition. While this is welcome, the Indian Air Force needs more of the kind, especially now that the Obama Administration has cleared the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. Besides, the IAF also has to tackle the issue of ageing planes. We need to focus on building a stronger military and not view the Armed Forces’ demands as a strain on our fiscal position. Failure will extract a heavy price.