Future of the Indian Air Force

In 2023, the IAF submitted a proposal to rename itself as the Indian Air and Space Force (IASF). The proposal is a part of the IAF's goals to become a credible space force. This proposal is part of the IAF's plan to expand its role in space-related activities, including precision navigation, timing (PNT), intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), space traffic management, space situational awareness, and space weather prediction. The IAF aims to collaborate with organizations including the Indian Space Research Organisation, (ISRO), IN-SPACe, and India's private space sector to further its space related objectives. India plans to have over 100 small and large military satellites under the aegis of Defence Space Agency which is expected to be established as full fledged Space Command within seven to eight years. In 2024, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, stated that the IAF has revised its existing doctrine and has recognized space as a critical domain for future operations. Space equipment procurement, assets and development The IAF is increasing procuring and developing space related equipment and assets. • In 2023, the IAF is looking to procure the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), a space plane being developed by ISRO. • In July 2024, the space startup Pixxel announced that it plans to supply miniaturised multi-payload satellites, for monitoring goals, to the IAF by 2025. == Delays in procurements ==

On 17 December 2024, a parliamentary panel report stated that the Indian Air Force has a combat fleet strength of 31 squadrons against a minimal requirement of 42 squadrons. The fall of squadron strength is due to the retirement of multiple ageing aircraft like MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 in 2000s and 2010s without replacement. However, "multi-pronged" approaches are being taken to "minimise the impact" as per the report. The depletion of squadron strength is planned to be addressed by the procurement of HAL Tejas, HAL Tejas Mk2 and the MRFA programme. By 23 December, the Ministry of Defence formed a high-level committee chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The committee was tasked with proposing a new Road Map to address the critical capability gap of the Air Force. There were a shortage of not only fighter jets but also force multipliers like AEW&C, mid-flight refuellers and ISR aircraft. The report of the panel was to be submitted by January-end 2025 after surveying the IAF's "overall capability development through several indigenous design and development as well as direct acquisition projects". Members of the panel included DRDO chairman Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence Production Sanjeev Kumar and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Tejinder Singh among others. Stalled fighter aircraft acquisition includes 83 Tejas Mk1A on order and the MRFA programme. The Tejas programme was being delayed due to the supply delay of F-404 engines. The procurement of force multipliers will also be evaluated. India has only 6 Il-78MKI aircraft inducted in 2003-04 against a requirement of at least 18 such aircraft which are necessary to enhance operational range of combat aircraft. Also, IAF operates only 3 Netra and Phalcon AWACS (inducted in 2009-11) each. Programmes like the Netra Mk1A and Mk2 needed to be fast-tracked as well. Additional ageing aircraft to be retired, including: • SEPECAT Jaguar and Dassault Mirage 2000 (late 2020s onwards) • Mikoyan MiG-29 (from 2027-28 to early 2040s) • Sukhoi Su-30MKI (early production variants; 2040s onwards). Upgraded Super-30 variants from 2055 onwards. Another high-level committee was constituted also chaired by the Defence Secretary in early February 2025 with the objective to "streamline the production of indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) and enhance the role of the private sector in making the fighter jets". Other members from all stakeholders including the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are part of the committee. The committee has been repeatedly tasked to "scrutinising the current production capacity, constraints being faced and requirements of the Air Force" and submit its report within a month. The Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of IAF submitted its report to the Ministry of Defence on 3 March 2025 after delays from the initial deadline of end of January. The committee suggested that the private sector should complement Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU), DRDO and other government agencies in the defense and aerospace sector and also set some recommendations to be implemented in the "short, medium and long-term so as to achieve the desired capability enhancement goals of lAF in an optimal manner". As of 17 March 2025, reports suggested that another top level committee was evaluating a "clear-cut strategy and production-cum-business model" to accelerate the development of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The committee is chaired by the Defence Secretary and its members include Secretary of Defence Production, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal SP Dharkar and top officials from Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The committee, tasked to devise a plan to "shrink timelines" to get AMCA from drawing board to air as well as the high thrust indigenous engine development, is expected to be its report submitted in April. Following the ceremonial retirement of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 from active service, the Air Force would be left with only 29 squadrons, lower than the squadron strength of the Air Force during Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 when the IAF had 32 squadrons. Training gaps During the Parliament Winter Session in 2024, the Comptroller and Auditor General published a report to highlight the increased deficiencies in pilot training in the IAF. As per the report, the IAF had a deficit of 486 combat pilots in February 2015 and had plans to induct 222 pilots per year until 2021. However, initial annual intake ranged between 158 and 204 trainees and that after wastage ranged between 124 to 167, increasing the deficit to 596 by 2021. The pilot to seat ratio is 1.25:1 which, though enough for peacetime service, is too low for intense ops. Also, it was reported that the aircraft use for training pilots for all three streams (combat, helicopter and transport) was done on older aircraft. In case of fixed wing training, the planned procurement of 296 trainer aircraft by 2016 including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft and 73 Intermediate Trainer Jets have stalled. The procurement, if successful, would have given enough training resources to the IAF until 2036. In case of rotary stream, pilots are being trained on HAL Chetak which was inducted half a decade ago. ==Upgrade programmes==

Super Sukhoi == Procurement programmes ==

Fighter aircraft HAL Tejas Mark 1A On 3 February 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed the contract with HAL for the procurement of 83 advanced HAL Tejas aircraft, which includes 73 Mark 1A and 10 Mark 1 trainer variants with advanced AESA Radars, jammers, superior avionics, next-gen BVR missiles, better payload, and enhanced combat range. On 30 November 2023, DAC accorded AoNs for the procurement of additional 97 Tejas Mk 1A for the IAF from HAL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The contract for 29 twin-seater and 68 fighter variants was signed on 25 September 2025. Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) The IAF is looking for a new transport aircraft with a cargo carrying capacity of (18–27 tonnes). The MTA programme is to replace the ageing in-service Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 of the IAF with a fleet of medium-class transport aircraft. The Request for Information (RFI) was issued by the IAF in December 2022. IAF has asked for to provide “Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost of aircraft and associated equipment” for a batch of 40, 60 and 80 aircraft. The IAF needs the aircraft to be operable from unprepared runways like India’s Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Ladakh and the Northeast India. The participants in the programme include: • Embraer KC-390 Millennium — The aircraft has been promoted as a next-generation, multi mission transport and aerial refuelling capabilities. As for the local manufacturing of the aircraft, Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Group formed a strategic alliance to bid for the MTA programme on 17 October 2025. On 20 February 2026, the firms announced their plans to advance location selection for the potential production and MRO base in India subject to IAF's selection of KC-390 in the programme. • Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules — Lockheed Martin has announced its partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for C-130J production on 10 September 2024. Lockheed Martin and Rolls-Royce is also establishing the MRO facilities to service the Air Force's in-service 12 C-130Js and their AE 2100 engines, respectively. A production facility will be established in India if selected under the programme. • Airbus A400M Atlas — Airbus also has a tie-up with TASL through which the C-295 transport aircraft is currently being manufactured for the Indian Air Force. However, its partnership for the MTA programme is yet to be announced. As reported on 7 November 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is soon expected to initiate the MTA procurement programme. This includes granting of the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, by the end of December and issuing the tender for the competition in early 2026. The procurement proposal is expected to be taken up by the DAC in the coming months. On 26 March 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister, cleared the acquisition programme. Force multipliers AEW&CS The IAF plans to operate 18 airborne early warning and control systems, out of which 15 will be the DRDO AEW&CS and 3 will be the EL/W-2090. Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA) The Indian Air Force needs 18 Tanker aircraft. On 25 January 2018, the Indian Air Force launched a Request for Information (RFI) after two earlier tenders were cancelled within a duration seven years. The responses were to be submitted within 30 March. While the No. 78 Squadron is based at Agra Air Force Station in the West, the new fleet will be stationed at Panagarh Air Force Station in the East. The RFI was sent to Boeing, Airbus and Ilyushin. However, as the document specified the requirement of two-engine aircraft with two-man cabin crew, Il-78MKI was disqualified. Both Boeing and Airbus responded to the request with KC-46 Pegasus and A330 MRTT, respectively. Reportedly, the tender following the RFI was expected to have 30 percent mandatory direct defense offset clause. However, Boeing has to grant permission for such a conversion. As of August 2023, a Request for Proposal (RfP) was expected from the IAF within the next six months. The IAF may also procure "pre-owned" aircraft which is to be modified for the role for 25 to 30 years. An Indian maintenance partner is also to be selected. An additional refuelling aircraft was to be leased to provide training support for a period of two to three years until the delivery of these six aircraft starts. As of 7 February 2024, the Defence Ministry was "considering" the acquisition proposal from the Indian Air Force. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh – cleared the acquisition under 'Buy Global' category enabling procurement from both foreign or Indian vendors. On 28 March 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Metrea Management to supply one Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker on wet lease to the IAF within six months for training pilots of IAF and the Indian Navy for in-flight refuelling. The refuelling jet landed at Agra Air Force Station on 21 November. As of 30 June 2025, the procurement is in the technical evaluation phase as three to four firms has submitted their bids. After finalising, an Indian maintenance partner will also be sought. It was confirmed on 27 October 2025 that the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), The aircraft, with cargo and transport capabilities, will be converted in HAL facilities. As of 1 January 2026, a Cost Negotiation Committee (CNC) is being constituted to negotiate the price of the contract. The negotiation is to be followed by the proposal being moved to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval for contract signing. While this project was meant to acquire converted commercial aircraft for the role, another tender is expected to be issued to acquire six purpose-built aircraft. A tender or the Request for Proposal (RfP) for further procurement of six FRAs was launched in 2006 and was sent to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, EADS (now, Airbus) and Ilyushin. The Airbus A330 MRTT was selected against Il-78MKI after the technical and commercial evaluation in May 2009. The others did not respond to the tender. However, the tender, worth , had been scrapped in January 2010 due to the finance ministry’s concerns over bid competitiveness and the MRTT’s pricing. While Ilyushin offered a better price, IAF sought the MRTT due to its better capabilities. Another tender, worth , was launched on 16 September 2010 and requests for proposal were sent to all the vendors involved earlier along with Antonov. While Lockheed Martin and Boeing did not respond to the tender, Antonov had been disqualified on technical fields. The commercial bids from Airbus and Ilyushin was opened in November 2012 where the quoted base price for Il-78 was lower than A330 MRTT. However, the MRTT had a better value and was selected as L1 bidder when maintenance and fuel costs were included as factors. This calculation was as per the government’s new Life‑Cycle Cost (LCC) evaluation in its new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) of 2008—which assesses total ownership costs over an aircraft’s service life. However, in July 2016, Airbus was notified by the Indian MoD that the RFP was again retracted. After ceasing negotiations and scrapping the $2 billion worth tender due to "very high" life cycle costs as well as objections for the LCC calculations, the Indian Air Force also considered "direct strategic purchase" of the FRAs for its immediate requirements. The new FRA fleet was to be based at Panagarh Air Force Station in the eastern sector. In October 2016, it was reported that Boeing had officially offered its KC-46 Pegasus aircraft for the Indian Air Force. They had also sent a team of representatives to brief Indian officials including the then Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar of the capabilities of their product. In August 2017, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India reported the low serviceability rate of Il-78MKI after a study during 2010 to 2016. The report stated non-availability of hangars, poor serviceability of the aerial refuelling pods (ARPs), poor maintenance support from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), lack of avionics upgrades from 1980s technology, long timelines for engine and other upgrades leaving the fleet unavailable. On 3 July 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council — under the Ministry of Defence and chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh — authorised 10 capital acquisition proposal worth . This included three ISTAR aircraft (also dubbed as "spy planes") for the Air Force along with Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare System, Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services (logistics maintenance) and Surface-to-Air Missiles for Army as well as Moored Mines (DRDO-developed Pressure-Based Moored Mines), Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Super Rapid Gun Mount and Submersible Autonomous Vessels for the Navy. The CABS has reportedly selected Bombardier Global 6500 as the platform for the project in December 2025. The aircraft's sensor suite will include synthetic-aperture radar, moving target indicator and ELINT systems. Helicopters • HAL Prachand – The IAF will deploy indigenously developed HAL Prachand for its combat operations, complementing the Boeing AH-64D Apache of the Indian Army and Air Force, after the operational certificate is granted. The Indian Air Force has placed an order for 66 Prachand helicopters. • Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters (RSH) – In order to replace Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in the Indian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 200 light helicopters under the RSH programme in August 2025. Under the programme, 120 units and 80 units are to be procured for the Indian Army and Air Force, respectively. Specifying the technical requirements, the RFI mentioned that the suppliers are expected to be Indian vendors partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The helicopters are expected to be capable of operating in day and night and undertake reconnaissance, surveillance and search and rescue operations. The requirement include at least one hardpoint per side which will be compatible with surveillance equipment, podded guns, articulated guns, air-to-air missiles or anti-tank missiles. The first Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) tender was launched in 2008 for 197 helicopters (133 for IA and 64 for IAF) Later, India moved ahead with the proposal of Russian Helicopters to produce Ka-226T in India. The proposal included 60 helicopters to be directly purchased and 140 be produced in India by Indo-Russian Helicopters Pvt Ltd, a joint venture of HAL, Russian Helicopters and Rosoboronexport. However, the deal was not signed due to the stringent ToT demands and Safran Helicopter Engines denying to supply its Arrius 2G1 engine to Russia. • Airbus will also offer the Made-in-India H125 along with Tata Advanced Systems. It was one of the shortlisted designs in the 2008 LUH tender. Unmanned aerial vehicles • Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) – The Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2025 outlines the requirement of stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) with a service life of over 20 years. The Army and Air Force are expected operate between 90–100 and 40–50 stealth UCAVs, respectively. • The UCAV is expected to achieve supersonic speeds with supercruise and low observability capabilities. The internal weapons payload is expected within a range of and should be compatible with both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The UCAVs should exhibit Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) including loyal wingman role. The system should feature an AI-driven programmable flight profile with advanced avionics, LPI radar, EO/IR/SWIR targeting, secure low-latency SATCOM/B-LOS and LOS links, conformal defensive stores, and autonomous aerial refueling. It must also achieve a service ceiling of at least 15 km while supporting offensive and defensive manoeuvres. • The IAF is expected to procure four squadrons with 20 aircraft each. The in-development DRDO Ghatak is anticipated to fulfil the requirement. • Pseudo-satellite – Indian Air Force plans to induct 3 such platforms, also called High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS), and its acssociated support equipment. A Request for Information (RFI) was released by the IAF with a response deadline of 20 June. As specified in the document, the platform must have an endurance of 48 hours, operational altitude of . The RFI also mentioned that the HAPS would have a minimum data links and telemetry range of during line of sight mode, a SATCOM range of and a detection range of from operational altitude. The HAPS has integrable with electro-optical and infrared cameras as well as electronic and communication intelligence payloads. The HAPS, capable of all-weather, day-and-night operations, is to be delivered within 18 months of signing the contract. • Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV – The Indian Armed Forces aims to procure 87 MALE UAVs at a cost of . On 5 August 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the project which is being led by the IAF. The UAVs will be developed by Indian firms in collaboration with foreign partners, with an expected indigenous content of over 60%. Additionally, the long-range drones are expected to be integrated and armed with air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs for precision strike missions. The drones should also be capable of executing electronic warfare and ISR missions, i.e., Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. Additionally, a maintenance contract worth for the drones will also be signed with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the logistical other operational support. The order will be split for two firms, which would be lowest bidders, at a 64:36 ratio in favour for the lower bidder. The orders will be executed at two separate production facilities, one operated by each firm. Now, the DAC clearance will be followed by the armed forces releasing an expression of interest (EoI) for Indian firms to bid for the contract followed by trials and final commercial negotiations. As of November 2025, the trials are expected to be conducted within the next six months. Also, around 24 Indian firms • On 22 August, Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) unveiled its combat-capable MALE UAV, named after Kaala Bhairav. The drone has been designated as Economic and Efficient Autonomous Aircraft (E2A2). With an indigenous content of 80%, it features a twin-boom configuration that enhances STOLoperations and carries a payload of 91 kg (201 lb). The aircraft has an endurance of 30 hours, a range of 3,000 km (1,900 mi), and a cruising speed of 42–52 m/s (150–190 km/h).The platform employs artificial intelligence for adaptive target acquisition, autonomous flight path planning as well as real-time combat decision-making. During the unveiling event, the company screened the aircraft's test flight and also announce that they have secured an export order worth  million from a South Asian nation as part of a  million strategic deal. The executives of the company also compared the performance of 10 Kaala Bhairavs to one Predator drone, claiming that one Kaala Bhairav costs one-tenth of the latter. • On 31 October 2025, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) formed a strategic partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to participate in the MALE RPAS programme for the Indian Armed Forces. L&T would be the prime bidder in the tender with GA-ASI as the technology partner. One of the MQ-series aircraft will be offered to the Armed Forces. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle has been reportedly ordered. • As of March 2026, IAF's Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD) released a request for proposal to invite domestic vendors to partner in the development project. The Indian Ministry of Defence wanted to buy an additional 106 basic trainer aircraft from Pilatus in a separate deal. However, on 28 February 2015, it was reported that Ministry of Defence has selected 70 HAL HTT-40 trainers and 38 Pilatus trainers to replace its current trainer aircraft fleet stating that this move was "commercially viable" under the "Make in India" programme. In 2017, HAL CMD reported that HAL will soon sign a contract for 106 HTT-40 aircraft and deliver it to the air force. In May 2020, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal R. K. S. Bhadauria announced there is a plan to shelve the order for the additional Pilatus PC-7 and instead opt for the indigenous HAL HTT-40. Missiles Cruise missiles DRDO has developed the air-launched version of the BrahMos cruise missile in a joint venture with Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The IAF has signed a contract with Russia to upgrade 40 Su-30MKIs to give them the capability of carrying the BrahMos cruise missile by 2012. DRDO has also developed the nuclear-capable Nirbhay cruise missile, which is capable of hitting targets at at accuracy. Hypersonic missiles BrahMos-II or BrahMos-2 or BrahMos Mark II is a hypersonic cruise missile currently under joint development by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia, which have together formed BrahMos Aerospace. It is the second of the BrahMos series of cruise missiles. The BrahMos-II is expected to have a range of and a speed of Mach 8. During the cruise stage of flight, the missile will be propelled by a scramjet airbreathing jet engine. Other details, including production cost and physical dimensions of the missile, are yet to be published. The planned operational range of the BrahMos-II had initially been restricted to as Russia is a signatory to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which prohibits it from helping other countries develop missiles with ranges above . However, subsequent to India becoming an MTCR signatory in 2014, the parameters for Brahmos 2 will get enhanced. Its top speed will be double that of the current BrahMos-I, and it has been described as the fastest cruise missile in the world. Testing was planned to start in 2020 but has been delayed. Surface-to-air missile systems In 2018–19, India agreed with Russia to procure the S-400 surface-to-air missile system worth ₹35,000 crore (approx.). As per the agreement, five squadrons of S-400 missiles were set to be delivered by Russia to India. As of 2023, out of five squadrons, three were delivered. The Indian Air Force has placed order for 18 MRSAM squadrons with each squadron having 3 launcher vehicles, carrying 8 missiles each. Indian Air Force has plans to deploy 5 squadrons of a multi-layer long range air defence system being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation under Project Kusha. == Under development projects ==

Fighters Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is a twin-engine, 5th generation stealth multirole fighter under development by ADA. It will complement the HAL Tejas, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MWF and the Dassault Rafale in the Indian Air Force. The first flight is expected to be by 2028-29 and serial production is expected to start from 2035. The project has been cleared by Cabinet Committee on Security and is in prototype development stage. Omni-role Combat Aircraft (ORCA) The Omni Role Combat Aircraft is a concept to design and develop a twin-engine omni role fighter, similar to the Rafale category. The design of the Omni Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA), an Indian Air Force variant of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), with significant design differences, was being studied as of 2020. The first flight is expected in 2032 with induction into the forces by 2038. Tejas Mk 2 (Medium Weight Fighter) The HAL Tejas Mark 2 (also known as Medium Weight Fighter or HAL MWF) is a planned single-engine, delta wing, multirole fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a further development of the HAL Tejas, or the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), programme which began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters. The Tejas Mk 2 is being designed to replace multiple strike-fighters like SEPECAT Jaguars, Dassault Mirage-2000 & MiG-29 of Indian Air Force. It has a tail-less compound delta-wing configuration with a single vertical stabilizer with closed-coupled canards to provide static instability and high manoeuvrability, and is equipped with fly-by-wire systems to control instability. There is confirmation from the chief of the Aeronautical Development Agency that MWF will shed its "Tejas" stamp and get a completely new name altogether during or after its first flight. Metal cutting for the prototypes began in January 2021. The first prototype was expected to be rolled out at the end of 2025, however it is now delayed and the first flight is expected to take in Q2 2026. A total of four prototypes are initially planned. Uncrewed wingman The HAL Combat Air Teaming System is a planned uncrewed and crewed combat aircraft air teaming system being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The system will consist of a crewed fighter aircraft acting as "mothership" of the system and a set of swarming UAVs and UCAVs governed by the main aircraft. A twin-seated HAL Tejas is likely to be the main fighter aircraft. HAL CATS Warrior part of HAL Combat Air Teaming System is an armed stealth drone which will team up and fight alongside IAF fighters to hit high-value enemy targets. It is designed to carry out MUM-T Operations. It will be the first line of offense in operations against heavily defended, integrated air defence networks. An Indian defence startup is also a part of the mission team. HAL is designing & developing AI-powered, stealthy autonomous swarm drones known as ALFA-S in collaboration with a private firm in Bangalore. Research and development work will be completed in two years and the first flight is expected by 2022. The ALFA-S swarming drones will have two folding wings. They will be fitted inside canisters mounted under the wings of IAF aircraft. Each swarm could have dozens of individual drones. If detected, some of the drones would be shot down, but the sheer numbers of the swarm would overwhelm enemy defences such as surface-to-air missile units to ensure a high probability of mission success. The first drone prototypes are likely to be deployed from Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers being built, under licence, at Hindustan Aeronautics. Ultimately though, the drones are meant to be launched from any Indian Air Force aircraft - fighter jets and transports. The plan to develop indigenous swarming drones is a part of the Combat Air Teaming System project or CATS, which has three distinct elements. In addition to the ALFA-S swarm drones, a robotic wingman, meant to accompany a crewed fighter jet into combat is being also being developed. The final element of CATS is the development of an ultra-high altitude drone meant to remain flying for up to three weeks at a stretch while providing real-time images and video. The government strongly backs the Combat Air Teaming System initiative as part of the Make in India programme, which encourages Indian defence manufacturers to focus on core research and development projects towards the next-generation requirements of India's armed forces. In 2018, the Defence Ministry set up iDEX, or Innovations for Defence Excellence under the Defence Innovation Organisation, a not-for-profit company meant to provide high-level policy guidance for high-tech indigenous ventures working on India's defence and aerospace needs. Transports The IAF had also placed an order for 15 NAL Saras light transport aircraft designed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). The manufacturer has stated that the Indian Air Force intended to place an order for up to 45 aircraft. National Aeronautics Limited (NAL) has stopped all work on NAL Saras as the funding for the project stopped by end of 2013 due to cost overruns and inability to reduce the weight of the aircraft. The development of the Saras was restarted by the National Aeronautics Laboratories in February 2017. Trainers HLFT-42 The Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42), under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a planned next-generation supersonic 16.5-tonne jet trainer for the Indian Air Force. It will feature advanced avionics like AESA radar, Electronic Warfare Suite, IRST, and Fly-by-Wire controls, designed for combat training with potential for conversion into a fighter aircraft. HAL HJT-36 Yashas Yashas HAL has developed the HAL HJT-36 Yashas intermediate jet trainer aircraft for the IAF, which carried out its maiden test flight in 2003. These aircraft are scheduled to replace the aging HJT-16 Kiran mk.I. The Indian Air Force has placed an order for 73 aircraft, of which the first 12 are in production. The order by the Indian Air Force could eventually grow to 250 aircraft. Two prototype aircraft have been built. These aircraft have undergone 280 test flights. Helicopters • Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) – The HAL Medium Lift Helicopter (MLH) is a planned large rotorcraft in the 10–15 tonne class. The three branches of the Indian Armed Forces are envisioned to be major customers for helicopter. According to HAL, the MLH is to be in the same class as the Russian Mil Mi 17 and is to serve as its planned replacement in all three forces. Uncrewed aerial vehicles The DRDO is developing a Medium Altitude Long Endurance Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called the Rustom (English: Warrior) for all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. The Rustom will replace / supplement the Heron UAVs in service with the Indian armed forces. DRDO is also developing the DRDO Ghatak which is an uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) for the Indian Air Force. The design work on the UCAV is carried out by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The AURA UCAV will be a tactical stealth aircraft built largely with composites, and capable of delivering laser-guided strike weapons. It would be a stealthy flying-wing concept aircraft with internal weapons and a turbofan engine. Surface-to-air missile systems Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has nearly finished the developmental trial of the New Generation missile of Akash SAM known as Akash-NG. Akash-NG is developed to provide a cheap alternative for the Barak 8. It will have the same range of with all-weather and all-terrain capability. The missile will be able to neutralise and destroy fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles as well as ballistic missiles. It will use Ku band active radar seeker. The missile is expected to come into service in 2022 and will be produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics (BEL). DRDO is also working on Project Kusha (XRSAM) long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. It will be used to bridge the gap between MR-SAM () and S-400 () Air Defence System and will be using spin-off technologies developed for country's Anti-Ballistic missile Defence system. The missile system will have a range of against fighter jets, against cruise missiles, sea skimming anti-ship missiles, AWACS and mid-air refuelers and will be capable of bringing down ballistic missiles and stealth fighters in the terminal stage. == See also ==