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Old 27th December 2019, 19:32   #826
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

The last squadron flying the Mig 27 in India, the 29th squadron has been 'number plated' i.e the squadron will be put on ice till new planes are available to reactivate the squadron. This brings down the no. of squadrons in the Indian Air Force to 28, compared to the sanctioned 42. These 28 squadrons still include 6 squadrons of approx. 112 mig 21s which will be decommissioned as well in the next 2 years. Also to be noted is that the Mig 29, the Mirage 2000 and the SEPECAT Jaguar will also become obsolete in the next 10 years despite upgrades.

The only confirmed inductions in the near future are the unproven Hal Tejas (mark 1A variant with the AESA radar still under development and the mark 2 at least 6 years away from series production) and the Dassault Rafale. I really hope that the folks at South Block decide to order 36 more Rafales to at least plug this gaping hole in the Indian air force Inventory. Perhaps the induction of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) in India will rationalize the Indian defense procurement policy!
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Old 27th December 2019, 20:27   #827
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

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Originally Posted by dragracer567 View Post
The last squadron flying the Mig 27 in India, the 29th squadron has been 'number plated' i.e the squadron will be put on ice till new planes are available to reactivate the squadron.

What happens to the pilots and other support personnel of the squadron while in cold storage?
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Old 27th December 2019, 23:34   #828
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

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What happens to the pilots and other support personnel of the squadron while in cold storage?
They probably get reassigned! It was reported in 2015 that the IAF had a pilot shortage anyway - https://thediplomat.com/2015/04/the-...enough-pilots/
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Old 28th December 2019, 08:58   #829
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

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Originally Posted by Gansan View Post
What happens to the pilots and other support personnel of the squadron while in cold storage?
They get posted out to other squadrons. Now that the MiG-27s have retired, its pilots will "convert"(learn & train to fly) to other aircraft types.

As and when the squadron gets re-raised with a new aircraft later, it is not necessary that the squadron personnel at the time of numerplating will be inducted into the squadron. A new aircraft type needs trained personnel on that aircraft.
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Old 30th December 2019, 10:29   #830
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

Interview about the Tejas with Air Cmde Rohit Varma (Retd), who is a Former Project Director Flight Test, NFTC - ADA, a Kargil War Hero, a Vayu Sena Medal Awardee and a Veteran Fighter Pilot.

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Old 1st January 2020, 20:35   #831
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No. 222 Squadron "Tigersharks" was re-raised on the Su-30MKI today and became the 12th IAF Su-30MKI squadron. The Squadron was numberplated in 2011 and their last mount was the MiG-27.

The 222 Sqdn was raised on the Su-7 in 1969 at Ambala in 1969 and were initially called The Killers. They participated in the 1971 war in the western front flying from Halwara. After the war, they moved back to Ambala. In 1985, the squadron re-equipped with the HAL built MiG-27. In 1989 the squadron was renamed as "Tigersharks" by then PM Rajiv Gandhi. The squadron then moved to Hashimara in the east where they remained till their number plating in 2011

Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force-20200101_204817.jpg

IAF IAF Su-30MKI Squadrons
No. 2 Sqn "Winged Arrows"
No. 8 Sqn "Eight Pursoot"
No. 15 Sqn " Flying Lances"
No. 20 Sqn "Lightnings"
No. 24 Sqn "Hawks"
No. 30 Sqn "Rhinos"
No. 31 Sqn "Lions"
No. 102 Sqn "Trisonics"
No. 106 Sqn "Lynx"
No. 220 Sqn "Desert Tigers"
No. 221 Sqn "Valiants"
No. 222 Sqn "Tigersharks"

Last edited by skanchan95 : 1st January 2020 at 20:55.
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Old 2nd January 2020, 08:47   #832
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

Nice. I thought there would be a few more squadrons of Su 30 MKI, considering we have about 250 of them. How many aircraft per squadron?

Can you post the names of other squadrons also, by aircraft type?
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Old 2nd January 2020, 11:08   #833
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

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Originally Posted by Gansan View Post
Nice. I thought there would be a few more squadrons of Su 30 MKI, considering we have about 250 of them. How many aircraft per squadron?
18-20 perhaps. Some Su-30s are flying with the Jamnagar based TACDE

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gansan View Post
Can you post the names of other squadrons also, by aircraft type?
IAF Fighter Squadrons
No. 1 Sqn "Tigers" Mirage 2000I/TI
No. 2 Sqn "Winged Arrows" - Su-30MKI
No. 3 Sqn "Cobras" MiG-21 Bison
No. 4 Sqn "Oorials" MiG-21 Bison
No. 5 Sqn "Tuskers" Jaguar IS/IT
No. 6 Sqn "Dragons" Jaguar IS/IM/IT
No. 7 Sqn "Battle Axes" Mirage 2000I/TI
No. 8 Sqn "Eight Pursoot" Su-30MKI
No. 9 Sqn "Wolfpack" Mirage 2000I/TI
No. 10 Sqn "Daggers" - Numberplated (MiG-27)
No. 14 Sqn "Bulls" Jaguar IS/IT
No. 15 Sqn "Flying Lances" Su-30MKI
No. 16 Sqn "Black Cobras" Jaguar IS/IT
No. 17 Sqn "Golden Arrows" - Re-raised as the 1st Rafale Sqn
No. 18 Sqn "Flying Bullets" - Numberplated (MiG-27)
No. 20 Sqn "Lightnings" Su-30MKI
No. 21 Sqn "Ankush" MiG-21 Bison
No. 22 Sqn "Swifts" - Numberplated (MiG-27)
No. 23 Sqn "Panthers" MiG-21 Bison
No. 24 Sqn "Hawks" Su-30MKI
No. 26 Sqn "Warriors" MiG-21bis
No. 27 Sqn "Flaming Arrows" Jaguar IS/IT
No. 28 Sqn "First Supersonics" MiG-29UPG
No. 29 Sqn "Scorpios" - Numberplated (MiG-27)
No. 30 Sqn "Rhinos" Su-30MKI
No. 31 Sqn "Lions" Su-30MKI
No. 32 Sqn "Thunderbirds" MiG-21 Bison
No. 35 Sqn "Rapiers" MiG-21M
No. 37 Sqn "Black Panthers" MiG-21M
No. 45 Sqn "Flying Daggers" Tejas
No. 47 Sqn "Black Archers" MiG-29UPG
No. 51 Sqn "Swordarms" MiG-21 Bison
No. 52 Sqn "Surya Kiran" Hawk Mk.132 (formerly called Sharks - MiG-21FL)
No. 101 Sqn "Falcons" - Numberplated (MiG-21M)- Will be re-raised as the 2nd Rafale Sqn
No. 102 Sqn "Trisonics" Su-30MKI
No. 106 Sqn "Lynx" Su-30MKI
No. 108 Sqn "Hawkeyes" MiG-21M
No. 220 Sqn "Desert Tigers" Su-30MKI
No. 221 Sqn "Valiants" Su-30MKI
No. 222 Sqn "Tigersharks" Su-30MKI
No. 223 Sqn "Tridents" MiG-29UPG
No. 224 Sqn "Warlords" Jaguar IS/IT
TACDE - Su-30MKI/MiG-21 Bison

*The current status of the three remaining MiG-21M squadrons is unknown - No. 35, 37 & 108

IAF Transport/AWACS/Mid-Air Refueller Sqns
No. 11 Sqn "Rhinos" HS.748
No. 12 Sqn "Striking Yaks" An-32
No. 19 Sqn "?" - Numberplated in 1998 (An-32)
No. 25 Sqn "Himalayan Eagles" An-32/IL-76
No. 33 Sqn "Himalayan Geese" An-32
No. 41 Sqn "Otters" Do-228
No. 43 Sqn "Ibex" An-32
No. 44 Sqn "Mighty Jets" Il-76
No. 48 Sqn "Camels" An-32
No. 49 Sqdn "Paraspears" An-32
No. 50 Sqn A-50EI
No. 58 Sqn "Hornbills" HS.748
No. 77 Sqn "Veiled Vipers" C-130J-30
No. 78 Sqn "Valorous MARS" IL-78MKI
No. 81 Sqn "Skylords" C-17A
No. 87 Sqn "Raiding Raptors" C-130J-30
Air HQ & Comms Sqn "Pegasus" Boeing 737-700 BBJ/ERJ135

IAF Helicopter Units/Squadrons
No. 104 Sqn "Pioneer Rotarians" Mi-25/35
No. 105 HU "Daring Eagles" Mi-17
No. 107 HU "Desert Hawks" Mi-17
No. 109 HU "Knights" Mi-8
No. 110 HU "Vanguards" Mi-8
No. 111 HU "Snow Tigers" Dhruv Mk.III
No. 112 HU "Thoroughbreds" Mi-8
No. 114 HU "Siachen Pioneers" Cheetal
No. 115 HU "Hovering Angels" Cheetah
No. 116 HU "Tank Busters" Dhruv Mk.III,IV/Rudra
No. 117 HU "Himalayan Dragons" Dhruv Mk.III
No. 118 HU "Challengers" Mi-17
No. 119 HU "Stallions" Mi-17
No. 121 HF "Sea Eagles" Chetak
No. 122 HF "Flying Dolphins" Mi-8
No. 125 Sqn "Firebirds" AH-64E
No. 126 HU "Featherweights" CH-47F(I) Chinook
No. 127 HU "First of the Ranas" Mi-17
No. 128 HU "Siachen Tigers" Mi-17
No. 129 HU "Nubra Warriors" Mi-17
No. 130 HU "Condors" Mi-17
No. 131 FAC Flt "Airborne Pointers" Cheetah/Chetak
No. 132 FAC Flt "Hovering Hawks" Cheetah
No. 141 SSS Flt(SAR) "Flamingos" Chetak
No. 142 SSS Flt(SAR) "Flying Amphibs" Chetak
No. 151 HU "Sarang" - Dhruv Mk.III
No. 152 HU "Mighty Armour" Mi-17
No. 153 HU "Daring Dragons" Mi-17
No. 154 HU "Snow Leopards" Mi-17V5
No. 155 HU "Kripans" Mi-17V5
No. 156 HU "Armoured Kestrels" Mi-17V5
No. 157 HU "Tarkshya" Mi-17V5
No. 158 HU "Silver Falchions" Mi-17V5
No. 159 HU "Flying Daggers" Mi-17V5

* HU- Helicopter Unit, HF - Helicopter Flight, FAC Flt - Forward Air Control Flight

Last edited by skanchan95 : 2nd January 2020 at 11:27.
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Old 2nd January 2020, 15:24   #834
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

What happens when some aircraft in a squadron go for repairs/overhaul? Will all squadrons have some spare aircraft or will they be drawn from a common pool?
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Old 4th January 2020, 11:45   #835
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gansan View Post
What happens when some aircraft in a squadron go for repairs/overhaul? Will all squadrons have some spare aircraft or will they be drawn from a common pool?
I suppose they have to do with the available serviceable aircraft available on the flight line.

In September last year, the last two legacy MiG-29s were flown to 11 BRD at AFS Ojhar for upgradation to MiG-29UPG standards(which means all other MiG-29 airframes flying with the three IAF MiG-29 squadrons have been upgraded to or the atleast last of them are being upgraded UPG standards).

These two legacy MiG-29s were flying with the No. 28 Sqdn "First Supersonics" and were flown in by 28 Sqdn pilots. Till these two MiG-29s get delivered after upgrades, No. 28 has to perform daily operations with the aircraft strength they have.
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Old 4th January 2020, 14:36   #836
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

@Skanchan: to which squadron the C-17 and C130Js earmarked for the NSG/SAT belong to? They used to come from the "skylords" squadron not sure of the current status though!

TACDE has almost all aircraft types that the IAF flies and are not limited to only SU-30s and MiG-21s. Off late IAF has gathered quite some experience in dealing with the aircraft types our "friendly" neighbour has through joint exercises.


Interesting would be see if we can fly an exercise against the chinese jets to assess their real potential.

Last edited by AlphaKilo : 4th January 2020 at 14:39.
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Old 4th January 2020, 17:40   #837
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

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Originally Posted by skanchan95 View Post
No. 222 Squadron "Tigersharks" was re-raised on the Su-30MKI today and became the 12th IAF Su-30MKI squadron. The Squadron was numberplated in 2011 and their last mount was the MiG-27.
"
As per the news report, AFS Thanjavur set to be first South Indian base for Su-30MKI, for the recently re-raised No. 222 Squadron.
Link
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Old 6th January 2020, 09:34   #838
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

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Originally Posted by AlphaKilo View Post
@Skanchan: to which squadron the C-17 and C130Js earmarked for the NSG/SAT belong to? They used to come from the "skylords" squadron not sure of the current status though!
Well, there is only IAF C-17 squadron - No. 81 "Skylords", so the C-17 has to come from that squadron. NSG has its HQ in Delhi, probably safe to assume that the C-130s from the 77 Sqn & C-17s from 81 Sqn based at nearby Hindan AFS are used.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaKilo View Post
TACDE has almost all aircraft types that the IAF flies and are not limited to only SU-30s and MiG-21s. Off late IAF has gathered quite some experience in dealing with the aircraft types our "friendly" neighbour has through joint exercises.
After the retirement of MiG-27s, TACDE fleet is now comprised only of Su-30MKIs and MiG-21 Bisons. Other aircraft types like Jaguars & Mirages come in from other squadrons for training in ACM exercises with TACDE crewed jets.
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Old 6th January 2020, 10:54   #839
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

Quote:
Originally Posted by skanchan95 View Post
In September last year, the last two legacy MiG-29s were flown to 11 BRD at AFS Ojhar for upgradation to MiG-29UPG standards(which means all other MiG-29 airframes flying with the three IAF MiG-29 squadrons have been upgraded to or the atleast last of them are being upgraded UPG standards).

These two legacy MiG-29s were flying with the No. 28 Sqdn "First Supersonics" and were flown in by 28 Sqdn pilots. Till these two MiG-29s get delivered after upgrades, No. 28 has to perform daily operations with the aircraft strength they have.
What upgrades will be done to the legacy MiG-29 as part of this exercise?
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Old 6th January 2020, 17:06   #840
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Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

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Originally Posted by sagarpadaki View Post
What upgrades will be done to the legacy MiG-29 as part of this exercise?
I think that the upgraded Mig 29 has far better operating ranges, thanks to that telling hump on its back (behind the cockpit, along the dorsal line) beneath which additional fuel reserves are now to be stored.

I also recall hearing from our officers in various articles in the past couple of years that flying vertical right from take-off (thanks to a new and better engine) will now become possible, aiding in quicker interception of any inbound bandits. And of course, new cockpit electronics, instruments, radar etc., are par for this course. All of these upgrades are expected to be in line with the Mig 29 SMT standard that Russia has developed by way of an upgrade for the Mig 29. This is what I recall off the top of my head, thanks to a finely honed google news feed on my phone!

Over to Mr.Kanchan for an authentic reply
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