Force Multipliers
IAF
Special
IAF needs 18 to 20 AWACS/AEW&C platforms to cover its long hostile borders and handle a possible two-front war
FORCE MULTIPLICATION — THAT’S THE NAME OF THE GAME As a hostile China rapidly modernises its military and Pakistan continues to needle India in new ways, the Indian Air Force needs to be vigilant on all fronts
Photograph: IAF / Twitter
By Joseph Noronha These are challenging times for the Indian Air Force (IAF) charged as it is with the country’s air defence. Relations with China are frosty and are liable to erupt into a border conflict at any time. Analysts have also voiced fears that the Taliban, having tasted victory over a superpower in Afghanistan, will be tempted to meddle in Kashmir, egged on and abetted by the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan. The strength of the fleet of combat aircraft of the IAF is down to 30 squadrons against 42 sanctioned by the Government and this is likely to reduce further. On the positive side, two of these squadrons are now equipped with one of the world’s most capable fighter jets, the Rafale procured from Dassault Aviation of France. Although only two squadrons have been produced for the IAF,
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their impact can be enhanced with the help of force multipliers. As the name suggests, force multipliers are employed to dramatically increase the effectiveness of a military force of given size and capability. No modern air force can afford to conduct military operations without force multipliers. Consider a formation of four IAF Rafale jets on a longrange strike mission. Their combat range of 1,850 km can be increased considerably if fuel is replenished by Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA). As they transit towards high-value target deep inside enemy territory, an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) or an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft will be invaluable to warn of airborne threats while itself flying over friendly territory. Unmanned Aerial Vehi-
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