SOURCE: AFI
In a recent discussion on The Gaurav Arya Podcast, Air Marshal Anil Khosla, former Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), addressed the longstanding goal of maintaining a 42-squadron strength for the IAF. This target, established in the aftermath of the Indo-China war, was based on the threat perceptions and military technology of the time. Khosla argued that the situation has changed significantly, both in terms of the aircraft capabilities and the broader security environment that India now faces. However, Khosla emphasized that while the technology has advanced, India’s current squadron strength remains inadequate to meet its security needs.
The requirement for 42 combat squadrons was initially drawn up in the 1980s. This goal was established to ensure that the IAF could fight a two-front war with Pakistan and China simultaneously. At that time, India’s defense planners anticipated that such a conflict would require a vast number of aircraft due to the relatively limited capabilities of the planes then in service.
The Indo-China war in 1962 and subsequent conflicts with Pakistan underscored the need for a strong air force. At the time, India’s fleet primarily consisted of aircraft with shorter ranges, limited payload capacities, and fewer advanced avionics systems. To defend its airspace and project power in the region, the Indian Air Force needed a large number of aircraft. Thus, the 42-squadron figure was based on the ability to sustain prolonged air operations over a wide front, with enough planes available for rotation, maintenance, and attrition during combat.
Since then, aviation technology has evolved dramatically. The IAF has introduced several generations of fighter jets, such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Rafale, and HAL Tejas, which are significantly more capable than their predecessors. These aircraft are not only faster and more agile but also equipped with advanced avionics, radar systems, and precision-guided munitions, allowing them to perform a variety of missions.
Air Marshal Khosla highlighted the multi-role capabilities of modern aircraft, which reduce the need for a large number of specialized jets. Today’s fighters can perform air-to-air combat, ground strikes, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions, often in a single sortie. This versatility allows the IAF to achieve the same or even greater operational effectiveness with fewer planes.
For instance, the Rafale can strike deep inside enemy territory, engage in dogfights, and conduct maritime strike missions. Similarly, the Su-30MKI, the backbone of the IAF, can perform long-range strikes, air defense, and close air support. The Tejas Mk1A, while still in its initial stages, promises to further enhance the IAF’s multi-role capability.
Despite these technological advances, Khosla expressed concern that India’s current squadron strength is far from sufficient. The IAF today operates around 30 to 32 squadrons, well below the 42-squadron target. This shortfall is primarily due to the phasing out of older aircraft such as the MiG-21 and MiG-27 without adequate replacements coming online in time.
The delays in inducting new fighters like the Tejas Mk1A and the slow pace of acquiring additional Rafales have exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, the IAF’s reliance on aging platforms like the MiG-29 and Jaguar, which require significant maintenance and upgrades to remain operational, has placed additional strain on the force.