New Delhi, Oct 3: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday said drones are an “evolutionary” development for the IAF rather than a revolutionary one, and ruled out the creation of a separate drone force.
Addressing the IAF’s annual press conference in New Delhi, Singh said unmanned aerial systems and loitering munitions have been part of the force’s capabilities for decades and are now being expanded in terms of numbers, types and capabilities.
“Drones are not revolutionary to the Indian Air Force, but evolutionary,” Singh said, adding that there was no need to create a separate force for operating them.
He stressed that drones and loitering munitions should be integrated with other weapons and platforms to achieve the desired operational effect rather than being deployed independently.
The IAF chief said the force already has specialised units handling these capabilities and that their numbers could be increased if required.
Singh also highlighted the growing role of loitering munitions in modern warfare, saying they had helped create disruption and target certain air-defence assets.
On the IAF’s fighter aircraft strength, Singh acknowledged that the force’s numbers are declining and that delays in planned aircraft inductions have affected its expansion plans.
He said the IAF is looking at platforms including Tejas Mk-1A, Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and the future Mk-2 fighter to address existing and future capability gaps.
Regarding the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, Singh said the IAF may have to examine alternative options if there are further delays. He also mentioned Russia’s offer of the Su-57, while clarifying that no decision has been taken on the proposal.
Singh called for a “whole-of-nation approach” to major aircraft programmes to ensure timely development, production and induction of platforms required by the IAF.
