SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made a compelling case to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to fully fund and prioritize a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, drawing inspiration from a recent HAL initiative . The HAL program, which emphasizes the integration of autonomous drones with manned fighters to enhance combat effectiveness, has prompted the IAF to advocate for a similar strategy to modernize its fleet and address operational gaps.
With the IAF’s squadron strength at a concerning 31 against a sanctioned 42, and the looming retirement of aging aircraft like the MiG-21s, the push for CCAs could redefine India’s air warfare capabilities, aligning with the “Make in India” initiative while tackling regional security challenges.
The IAF’s push for CCAs comes at a critical juncture. The force has struggled with a declining fleet, exacerbated by delays in indigenous programs like the Tejas Mk1A and the retirement of MiG-21s, with the last squadron expected to phase out by 2025. The IAF’s 2021 order for 83 Tejas Mk1A jets from HAL faced setbacks, with deliveries delayed beyond the February 2024 target due to engine supply issues. The recent ?650 billion tender for 97 more Tejas jets aims to bridge this gap, but production capacity remains a bottleneck, even with HAL’s third line in Nashik set to produce 24 jets annually by 2026.
CCAs offer a cost-effective solution to augment the IAF’s combat mass. Inspired by the CATs Warrior and Bigger Warrior 2 Program it is estimated that $15–20 million per CCA—roughly a quarter of an Rafale’s cost—the IAF envisions a fleet of 200–300 autonomous drones to complement its 180 Tejas Mk1A jets and 36 Rafales. These drones could operate alongside manned fighters like the Su-30 MKI or the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), performing high-risk missions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China or against Pakistan at LOC.
In line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Indian Air Force (IAF) strongly advocates for indigenous development in its proposal. While the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) possesses prior experience with unmanned systems like the delayed Ghatak UCAV and CATS Warrior, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to fund the former, while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has internally financed the latter. The IAF proposes capitalizing on these existing efforts, potentially through public-private partnerships, to expedite the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). HAL, having already developed the CATS Warrior and proposed a larger CATS Warrior II requiring further MoD funding (as internal funding would slow progress), stands as a key potential partner.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.