The Chinese Air Force has increased storage facilities such as new runways, fortified shelters, fuel and ammunition at all its airbases located opposite India on the Line of Actual Control.
New Delhi: The biggest threat to India is from China and Pakistan. In view of this, preparations are being made to upgrade the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) warplanes and increase its stockpile. The government has constituted a high-level committee headed by Defence Secretary to prepare a roadmap to plug the loopholes.
The committee will report on a range of indigenous design and development plans as well as enhancement of IAF’s capability through direct acquisition projects. In this episode, ways to overcome the ongoing challenges of making 114 new 4.5 generation fighter aircraft will also be suggested.
The Chinese Air Force has increased storage facilities such as new runways, fortified shelters, fuel and ammunition at all its airbases located opposite India on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) such as Hotan, Kashgar, Gargunsa, Shigatse, Bangda, Nyingchi and Hoping. In addition, China has deployed additional fighters, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and drones. In such a situation, the need for the Indian Air Force to complete its stuck project has also increased. At the same time, infiltration attempts are also going on from Pakistan.
The biggest challenge before the committee will be to break the impasse over the long-pending project to build 114 new 4.5 generation fighter aircraft with foreign collaboration with an initial estimate of Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Some of the jets are believed to be purchased directly while most will be produced in India.
What is the 4.5 Generation Fighter?
One of the most striking features of the ‘4.5 generation’ fighter is its ability to evade radars. These aircraft can fly at supersonic speed without using afterburner. Such aircraft are equipped with powerful sensors within visual range and are extremely spectacular in combat capability. They specialize in air warfare at high altitudes using long-range missiles. They can also be equipped with munitions.
The 4.5 generation fighter aircraft are equipped with an integrated Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system. For example, the Dassault Rafale has the facility of Optical Sector Frontal Integrated IRST. The term 4.5 generation is often used to refer to new or upgraded fighter aircraft. They also have some characteristics of the fifth generation. Fighters of the 4.5 generation are generally less expensive, less complex. These can be made in a short time. These advanced sensors are integrated with AESA radar, super cruise capability, supermanoeuvrability, multi-functional role as well as keeping out of reach of radars.
Indigenously made Tejas Mark-1A fighters are also being inducted, which have suffered setbacks mainly due to frequent delays in supply of engines by American company General Electric. Actually, there were some technical hurdles in this regard, which have been delayed in overcoming. The company has promised to begin deliveries of the contracted 99 GE-F404 turbofan jet engines by March 2025, nearly two years behind schedule.
