NEW DELHI: T he Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to emerge as a more potent force in the next five to 10 years with the modernisation of its fighter planes at a cost of about Rs. 20,000 crore.

Officers say the squadron strength will keep falling because retirements, mostly of MiG variants, will outstrip inductions. However, the remaining fighter craft will be faster, have better detection and combat systems and more endurance.

The upgradation plan, parts of which are already under implementation, is scheduled for five more years and will involve the modernisation of 300 aircraft. Several aircraft in the inventory will either be retired or made to serve the remaining years of service life.

Negotiation on

The modernisation plan is in addition to the induction of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters, at the rate of 14 new aircraft annually for the next eight to nine years.

The IAF is also negotiating for 12 used Mirage fighters from Qatar. France, the manufacturer of Mirage jets, is expected to quarterback the deal. A French team was here to explore the possibility of selling upgraded Mirage fighters too.

The IAF also plans to add six mid-air re-fueller tankers to the six existing Mirage craft. These planes will nearly double the flight endurance of fighter planes.

Decommission plans

Three MiG variants — 66, 77 and 96 — that had to be retired a decade ago, are now getting decommissioned, as 125 MiG-21 BiS are being upgraded. This is to ensure that at least half the number of MiG fleet remains operational for another decade.

The IAF is also involved with public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in upgrading 135 MiG-27s by the end of 2009. Hundred and forty Jaguars, of Anglo-British origin, are getting equipped with potent missiles and high-tech navigation systems. In addition, 40 Mirage-2000s will also be upgraded. By next year, India will receive a potent force multiplier in the form of AWACS, becoming the only country in the region to possess these radar-mounted planes that can detect and identify all activity in the air for a radius of over 300 km.

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