Interview with IAF Chief: We are focusing on network-centric warfare capabilities; we believe quality of HAL products will improve with entry of private players

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik. Photo: IAF

The Indian Air Force turned 78 on Oct. 8, and just two weeks later the IAF held its four-day biannual Commanders’ Conference Oct. 26-29, touching on issues ranging from operational preparedness and philosophies to maintenance, upgrades, HR, acquisition, and administration. As part of its aggressive modernization mission, the IAF is waiting in the wings to acquire new assets and upgrade some of its fleets. “We need to continuously train and evolve to become a capability-based force. We are honing our skills in cyberwarfare and concentrating on building network-centric warfare capabilities to boost our combat efficacy,” Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik tells Aviation Week’s Senior Aerospace and Defense Correspondent (India) Anantha Krishnan M. during the India Thought Leader (ITL) interview series. This interview mainly focuses on IAF’s philosophies toward its air warriors, support for homegrown projects and readiness to take on future challenges.

AW: IAF has grown one more year old this October. What are the challenges the air warriors will face in the next 5-10 years?

P.V.N.: I would say that the IAF has matured one more year. And this maturity is accentuated in the way we continue to evolve our warfighting doctrines and  training methodologies, with a greater emphasis on harnessing the potential of human resources to achieve our objectives.  Air warriors in the IAF are alive to the ever-changing strategic environment.  As you know, we have embarked upon an all-round modernization plan which aims to replenish our fleets, upgrade airfield infrastructure and acquire modern radars and weapon systems. Therefore, one of the major challenges is the co-habitation factor – that of maintaining the existing fleet and, at the same time, assimilating the modern technologies coming our way. We are fortunate to have a highly professional HR pool – one which is rich in exposure and has demonstrated a great deal of adaptability in absorbing modern technologies.  We are also honing our skills in cyberwarfare and concentrating on building network-centric warfare capabilities to boost our combat efficacy. In a nutshell, we will need to continuously train and evolve to become a capability-based force, one which is more than capable to meet all the challenges of the future.

AW: Often we read media reports and comments being made by senior IAF officials about the depleted squadron strength of IAF.  What are the quick steps that need to be taken to strengthen the IAF?

P.V.N.: It’s a known fact that the IAF’s fighter fleet is depleting due to phasing out of MiG-21 and MiG-23 aircraft. Both these aircraft served us well. Even the strength of the MiG-27s has been reduced to half the original. While technological obsolescence is an inevitable phenomenon, there is a need for concurrent replenishment of our combat inventory. As you are aware, the Light Combat Aircraft project has overshot production time frames. The MMRCA would take at least 4 years to fully fructify. However, it would be unwise to base our combat efficacy solely on classical numerology – that of having the required numbers. New squadrons of Su-30 MKI are being raised and midlife upgrades of [the] Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and MiG-29 fleets [are] on the anvil to improve our combat effectiveness. The induction of force multipliers like FRAs and AWACS has enhanced our combat effectiveness. So while depleting strength is a concern, it is equally true that we have maintained our combat edge through new inductions and upgrades and the IAF is fully capable today of thwarting any threat.

(The full interview appeared in Aviation Week on Oct. 29, 2010) 

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India Thought Leaders: ADA boss PS says Tejas' ownership among users have gone up; we have taken the blow, but we have delivered too

India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-Tejas) program boss P.S. Subramanyam (above) and his pet metal bird Tejas performing a stunning manoeuvre (below). Photos: t-arch-20010

  By Anantha Krishnan M. | Bangalore, India | 
June 25, 2010 | DNA (India)

Tejas, India’s light combat aircraft (LCA), is finally giving goose bumps to thousands of engineers, designers, scientists and technocrats. The limited series production (LSP) platforms are hitting the sky like nobody’s business. There’s excitement in the air. There’s hope. And there’s a goal that’s just within their reach. Amidst all the news of the initial operational clearance (IOC) within sight and the near-services version configuration (LSP-4) flying recently, one man is calm and composed, for he knows the end of one journey is just the beginning of another. In a one-on-one with Aviation Week, as part of the India Thought Leaders (ITL) interview series, Program Director (Combat Aircraft) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Director P.S. Subramanyam (known among close peers as P.S.), says the technological knowledge gained through the Tejas program is sure to make India a force to be reckoned with in all future military plane-making missions.

A.W.: No other program has received so much media bashing in addition to genuine concerns from your users. What was the motivational thread you adopted during these difficult times?

P.S.: I don’t want to comment on the media, though at times we did think of putting [in] a firefighting plan to counter one-sided remarks in the press. Later, we decided against it, knowing that it would divert our focus from the main goal. Yes, we had difficulties as we were attempting to do something that has never been done in this country. Yes, we slipped because we had to face many challenges from different quarters while mastering technologies. But don’t forget the fact that my team took the blow but finally delivered. Now, to the users. We understand their concerns and even they, too, are aware of our constraints. The project has definitely received a huge push after a project management team from IAF started functioning from ADA. They are the pacemakers for the program now and involved in every bit. This has also increased the ownership feeling among the users.

For the full interview, please visit
www.aviationweek.com/india