IAF’s unending fighter conundrum

Historical Significance of MiG-21 in India’s Defence History

• Induction & Origins: Inducted post-1962 Sino-Indian War from the Soviet Union; first supersonic and non-Western jet in the IAF.
• Combat Legacy:
  • Pivotal in 1965 and 1971 wars, Kargil 1999, and 2019 Balakot-Aerial Conflict (notably, Wing Commander Abhinandan’s engagement).
• Trainer Role:
  • Used for Stage-III pilot training in absence of an AJT, despite being “sub-optimal.”
• Global Footprint:
  • One of the world’s most prolific jets: 6,000+ MiG-21s across 35+ countries.

Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security , Defence)

Operational and Safety Concerns

• Accident-Prone: Over 450 accidents, earning the MiG-21 the nickname “Flying Coffin.”
• Aging Fleet:
  • Only two squadrons (No. 23 ‘Panthers’ and No. 3 ‘Cobras’) remain, set to retire.
• Legacy Phasing Out:
  • With MiG-21 retirement, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI are the only Russian-origin jets remaining.

Current IAF Inventory & Transition Challenges

• Aging Assets:
  • Early variants of Jaguars, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s will retire by end of the decade.
• Dependence on Limited Platforms:
  • Su-30MKI (~260 in service) and LCA Tejas variants to form the backbone.
• Capability Gaps:
  • IAF needs to induct 35–40 jets annually to maintain squadron strength.

LCA Mk1A: Cornerstone of the Modernisation Plan

• Contract Details:
  • ₹48,000 crore contract with HAL for 83 LCA Mk1A jets (signed in 2021).
  • Delivery Schedule: 16 jets/year from March 2024 — no deliveries yet.
• Causes of Delay:
  • Engine delivery delay by GE Aerospace (F-404 engines ordered in 2021).
  • First engine arrived only in April 2025, second in August 2025.
• HAL Response:
  • Promised to scale up production to 24 jets/year.
  • A follow-on order for 97 more jets worth₹67,000 crore in the pipeline.

Sukhoi-30MKI: Backbone but Needing Upgrades

• Induction: 272 Sukhois procured from Russia; ~260 remain operational.
• Recent Contracts:
  • ₹13,500 crore deal for 12 new Sukhois (to replace crash losses).
• Upgrade Plans:
  • HAL will modernize 84 jets in Phase 1; earlier batches to retire by 2040s.

Roadmap for the Future: IAF’s 600+ Jet Induction Plan

• Ambitious Target: Over 600 new fighters in next 20 years:
  • 180 LCA Mk1A
  • 120+ LCA Mk2
  • 114 Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)
  • 120 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
  • Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) for Navy

LCA Mk2 & AMCA: Strategic Capabilities in Pipeline

• LCA Mk2:
  • Designed to replace Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguars.
  • First flight expected in 2026.
• AMCA (5th Generation):
  • Two-phase plan:
    • Mk1 with GE-414 engines
    • Mk2 with 110kN engine (to be co-developed with foreign partner).
  • Private sector participation invited; HAL must compete for contract.
  • Timeline: 10 years to first prototype flight (expected post-2025 contract finalization).

Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA): The Lingering Question

• Status:
  • RFI issued in 2019, but no forward movement due to cost, priorities, and delays in other projects.
• Current Prospects:
  • Interim import of 5th gen fighters being explored (SU-57 or F-35).
  • Sensitive negotiations underway; decision pending official stages (AoN, RFP).

Engine Technology: A Core Bottleneck

• F414 for LCA Mk2: Licence manufacture by HAL — negotiations with GE ongoing.
• AMCA Engine:
  • Mk1: GE414
  • Mk2: Jointly developed 110kN-class engine — foreign collaboration under discussion.

Strategic and Defence Policy Implications for India

• Indigenisation Push:
  • LCA, AMCA, TEDBF, and engine co-development critical to India’s strategic autonomy.
• Industrial Ecosystem:
  • HAL and private firms must deliver on time, quality, and scale.
• Geopolitical Balance:
  • Fifth-gen fighters crucial for parity with China (J-20) and Pakistan’s F-16s.
• Budgetary Realism:
  • Competing demands (Army modernization, Navy submarines) necessitate prioritization and execution discipline.

Critical Evaluation

• Strengths:
  • Holistic roadmap to revive squadron strength.
  • Serious push towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence).
  • Embedded long-term vision via LCA → LCA Mk2 → AMCA.
• Concerns:
  • Delays in execution risk capability gaps.
  • Dependence on foreign engines and tech remains.
  • Potential bureaucratic inertia and vendor inefficiencies.
• Ethical Considerations:
  • Is heavy capital spending on air power justified amid socio-economic priorities?
  • Can India achieve a balance between deterrence and diplomacy?

Conclusion: India’s Jet Power in Transition

India is at a critical juncture in redefining its airpower: phasing out legacy fighters like the MiG-21, embracing homegrown innovation (LCA, AMCA), and cautiously exploring high-stakes fifth-gen acquisitions. Timely execution, inter-agency coordination, and global strategic alignments will determine whether India can meet its aerial defence needs in the 21st century battlespace.