Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

SET TO SOAR: President Abdul Kalam escorted by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi arrives for a fleet review at the Chandigarh Air Force station on Wednesday. On the occasion of the IAF's platinum jubilee year the supreme commander of the armed forces unveiled his vision to make the force a model for the world by 2025.

CHANDIGARH: President Abdul Kalam on Wednesday unveiled his vision to make the Indian Air Force "a model for the rest of the world to emulate" by 2025.

Speaking after the Presidential Fleet Review coinciding with the platinum jubilee of the IAF at the Air Force Station here, Mr. Kalam said that he visualized the IAF of 2025 to be based on India's scientific and technological competence in the development of communication satellites, high precision resource mapping satellites, missile systems, unmanned supersonic aerial vehicles and electronics and communication systems.

Electronic warfare

He said this would enable it to succeed in the electronically controlled warfare in the midst of space, deep-sea and ballistic missile encounters.

He said in future wars would be won by soldiers who could visualise the strength of the enemy using scientific capabilities, and develop suitable strategies.

The nation was with the Air Force in its endeavour to "modernise and force multiply all your aerial platforms and ground support systems, so that you will excel in aerial warfare."

Unique capability

Appreciating that the force had started acquiring unique capabilities by including several technologically advanced state-of-the-art platforms, sensors and weapon systems in addition to world class human capacity, he said it had the best of fighter aircraft in the world with multi-role capability, ability to carry unique payloads and the capacity to have long-range deep-penetration missions.

Force multiplier

It had also recognised the importance of the force multiplier in their flying machines with the addition of long-range air-borne radar capabilities, on board computers, MFD (Multi-function displays), various types of missile systems and electronic warfare systems.

He turned nostalgic while recalling his experience of "flying" on a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter plane on June 8 last. He hoped that the fighter, with modern weaponry and electronic warfare systems, would "very soon have the BrahMos missile integrated with it."

An Akash-like system should be inducted for enhancing air defence capability, and an Airborne Warning and Control System would enhance surveillance capabilities manifold.

Imaging system

An integrated imaging system, using multiple ground and satellite-based sensors, would be able to send battlefield scenarios to fighter squadrons in real time.

"I visualise unmanned supersonic combat air vehicles, air-launched hypersonic cruise missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and anti-ballistic missiles integrated with long-range radars providing a high-technology combat scenario. High-power lasers and microwaves will dominate the war scenario."

Remarkable event

Mr. Kalam said the fourth fleet review was a remarkable event, with multiple squadrons participating and displaying the 41 standards and colours received by the force.

The third Presidential Review of the Air Force was carried out in Chandigarh on January 19, 1976, by Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.

Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh, Punjab Governor S.F. Rodrigues, Haryana Governor A.R. Kidwai, Himachal Pradesh Governor V.S. Kokje, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Suresh Mehta and Air Force chief S.P. Tyagi attended the function.

Unique entry

Earlier, Air Chief Marshal Tyagi made a unique entry, along with 74 others, by para-jumping from a helicopter. Another feature of the fly-past was the Jaguar formation of 17 aircraft, which made a figure of 75. The Sarang and Suryakiran aerobatic teams also gave a display of their prowess.

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