When it comes to aerial might, India does seem to have an edge over its western neighbour.
Indian Air Force soldiers march past their C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft during the Indian Air Force day parade at the Hindon air base on the outskirts of New Delhi. (Photo: AP)
New Delhi: Amid frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan and terror attacks in Kashmir, IAF chief Arup Raha asserted that the armed forces are prepared to give a befitting reply to sub-conventional threats and any other challenge facing the country.
INDIAN AIR FORCE
Fighters
- Su-30 MKIs (around 240 Sukhois are in service)
- MiG-29 (Less than 70 are in service)
- Jaguar (Around 120 Jaguars are in the upgradation process)
- MiG-27 (Ready to be phased out)
- MiG-21 (Over 200 in service. Undergoing phase out)
- Light Combat Aircraft (First squadron is being raised with two aircraft)
- Mirage-2000 (Around 50 are in operation. Undergoing upgradation with new advanced avionics and MICA interception and aerial combat missiles)
Major weapons
- R-77, Astra (under trials)
- Air-to-air missiles
- Kh-59, Kh-35, Kh39
- Air-to-surface missiles
- KAB- 500 laser-guided bombs
Transport
- C-17 Globemaster — Heavy lift transporter provides strategic airlift capability
- C-130 Super Hercules — Special operations aircraft
- IL-76 — Medium lift transporter
- An-32 — Small weight transporter
- IL-78 — Midair refueller
Helicopter
- Mi-17 V5 — Transport helicopter
- Mi-25 — Attack helicopter
Surveillance
- Awacs: Russia-Israel joint production system being used by IAF
- AEWC (Yet to be inducted)
Future inductions
- Rafale (36 French Rafale 4.5 generation fighter jets to join IAF in three to six years)
- 15 Chinook heavy lift helicopters
- 22 Apache attack helicopters
- Fifth-generation fighter aircraft (Joint production agreement with Russia yet to be signed)
PAKISTAN AIR FORCE
Fighters
- F-16 (Around 75 in service out of which around 18 are advanced block D version. Purchase of more advanced F-16s from the US on hold)
- JF-17 (Around 100 in service. It will have around 250 of Pak-China joint production aircraft in service. The light multi-role combat jet is latest induction in PAF)
- Mirage III and V: Around 160 of these old French fighter jets in service
- Chengdu F-7: Less than 200 of this Chinese variant of M-21s is in service. It is being replaced by JF-17 Thunder
Transport aircraft
- C-130 — Tactical transport aircraft (Less than 20)
- IL-78 — Midair refueller
Helicopters
- Mi-17 (Around 45 in service)
Surveillance
- SAAB 2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning & Control
- ZDK 03 Chinese Airborne-Warning and Control System
Future inductions
- More number of latest version of F-16s
- Second line of JF-17 Thunder
- Chengdu J-10 multi-role fighters likely
( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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