There is an imperative need to balance the transport fleet with the induction of at least four to six squadrons of aircraft of five to ten tonne capacity

The finalisation of the $4.1 billion ( Rs. 18,450 crore) deal for ten C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to be acquired through the foreign military sales (FMS) programme of the US from Boeing Defense, Space & Security, will significantly enhance the strategic airlift capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The C-17 can lift up to 77 tonnes as against the IL-76 that can lift a maximum payload of 43 tonnes. With the acquisition of another seven C-17 aircraft, the strength of the new strategic airlift aircraft fleet of the IAF will numerically equal the existing fleet but would provide nearly double the airlift capability. The IAF has already begun receiving the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules of which six have been ordered to be followed by another six to make full squadron strength. The fleet of Super Hercules is being inducted for special operations. However, as the aircraft has a payload capability of about 20 tonnes, it can also augment the total airlift capability of the IAF. But what needs replacement in a decade from now is the fleet of 100 An-32 turboprop aircraft that were acquired in the mid-1980s from the then Soviet Union, now undergoing mid-life upgradation. Although payload capability of the An-32 aircraft is rated at 6.7 tonnes under ideal operating conditions, practically, the aircraft can lift not more than five tonnes given the high temperature that prevails in the region. As per the plans, the An-32 fleet is proposed to be replaced by the medium transport aircraft (MTA) under development through a joint venture between the United Aircraft Corporation of Russia and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore. The MTA is expected to have a payload capability of 18.5 tonnes and the IAF will induct 45 of these machines to replace the An-32 fleet. Induction of the MTA is expected to begin by the end of this decade. Both the C-130J and the MTA, though regarded to be in the medium category, have strategic capability and are closer to the heavy lift class of military transport aircraft.

Medium Tactical Transport Aircraft

If the planned inductions do take place on schedule, in terms of tonnage, there is no doubt that the airlift capability with the IAF in the decade of the 2020s compared with what is currently available, will be considerably enhanced. However, as evident from the chart, the transport fleet of the future will be weighted heavily in favour of medium to heavy lift aircraft with strategic capability. Undoubtedly, with its emerging status as a regional power and the new responsibility of ensuring peace and stability in the region, the nation will require the capability of swift response and power projection to safeguard national security interests that transcend international borders. However, for tasks during airborne assault operations such as insertion of troops into dropping zones of restricted length, decoy missions, resupply operations, air maintenance of troops deployed in the forward locations of the Northeast as also for the rapid mobilisation of security forces within the country to meet contingencies, the IAF will require aircraft in sizeable numbers with payload capability ranging between five to 10 tonnes, constituting the third segment of the fleet. Utilisation of transport aircraft with strategic airlift capability and very large payload capacity for small and miscellaneous commitments that ought to be undertaken by smaller tactical aircraft of five to ten tonne payload capability, will tantamount to wasteful underutilisation of the strategic fleet. As such, there is an imperative need to balance the transport fleet with the induction of at least four to six squadrons of aircraft of five to ten tonne capacity.

There are a number of new generation military aircraft under development or operational around the world. These are the Airbus Military A400M, the Embarer KC-390, the Kawasaki XC-2 and the Alenia C-27J Spartan. However, all these with the exception of the C-27J Spartan are in the medium strategic to heavy category with payload capacity ranging from 20 to 37 tonnes. However, the family of twinengine transport aircraft in the medium tactical airlift segment already in service are the EADS CASA C-235 and the C-295 manufactured by Airbus Military in Spain.

CASA CN-235

Launched in 1979, the six-tonne payload capacity CN-235 is a long proven aircraft in the medium tactical airlift category. The aircraft has been employed the world over for logistic support in UN peacekeeping operations, disaster relief, maritime surveillance and homeland security applications. Designed to function in austere environment without the need for elaborate ground support equipment, the aircraft can operate from short, semi-prepared runways. Apart from the capability to paradrop or transport men and material, the CN-235 can also be used for medical evacuation with 18 stretcher-borne patients.

CASA C-295

Developed from the CN-235, the new generation C-295 launched in 1996 has a payload capacity of nine tonnes and can operate from unprepared airstrips. With impressive short takeoff and landing capability, the C-295 is combat-proven and has successfully completed missions in hot-and-high conditions, desert, maritime, and sub-zero conditions. The aircraft has a multi-mission capability that includes roles ranging from transportation of troops and cargo, aerial delivery, communication, logistic support and medical evacuation. The aircraft has been employed extensively in operations related to the global war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.