As per Defence Ministry sources, the IAF (Indian Air Force) will acquire a number of capabilities which will greatly enhance its firepower and operational capability, including: Mid-Air Refueling, AEW (Airborne Early Warning), air-to-air missile systems and new fighter aircraft program. The objectives of these acquisitions will be to enable the IAF to become a more agile and surveillance-oriented force by 2026, as per statements made by senior officials.
Mid-air refuellers to extend long-range strike capability
As a part of their integrated upgrades program, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed an order with IAI to supply them with six Boeing 767-based aircraft, which are highly capable of providing aerial refuelling. These six tanker aircraft will greatly improve the IAF’s ability to carry out long-range operations, primarily over oceans and at high altitude.
The IAF presently operates six IL-76M tankers acquired in 2003. It hampered by maintenance issues and limited availability. India expectes to spend around ₹10,000 crore on the new tankers. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the requirement, and price negotiations for their purchase are underway. Once negotiations are completed, the proposal will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval.
Surveillance boost: 12 new AEW&C and AWACS platforms
To strengthen airborne surveillance and command-and-control capability, the IAF will induct 12 new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems sourced through a mix of foreign The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to expand its airborne surveillance and command-and-control capabilities by acquiring 12 new Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, sourced from both domestic radar development as well as foreign aircraft platforms.
The IAF will receive six Embraer aircraft from Brazil, which will include DRDO’s Netra Mk II AESA radar and will provide 270 degrees of coverage as well as improved electronic warfare capabilities.
The IAF is upgrading six Airbus A319 aircraft in France to become full AWACS platforms with 360-degree rotating dome radars to provide continuous situational awareness in the air.
The need for these capabilities demonstrated during Operation Sindoor when Pakistan had better access to AEW&C capabilities than India. The induction of more airborne radars into India’s inventory will enable India to provide more timely warning and will also improve airspace control as well as the ability to conduct network centric operations over land and sea.
New fighters under MRFA programme to reinforce fleet strength
Along with the above acquisitions, the Ministry of Defence is speeding up the long-anticipated 114 Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme. France is expected to be the primary supplier through the “Make in India” initiative. The IAF has established a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre for Rafales, allowing the addition of 114 to the Rafale fleet to have the potential to enhance logistic and sustainment efficiency without the need to establish a second fighter production line.
India is laying the groundwork for the MRFA programmed and aims to maximise indigenous content and industrial participation in this new production opportunity.
Advanced missiles for air dominance
The Indian Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of an additional 36 Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale jet fleet. Meteor missiles are one of the most advanced air-to-air missile systems globally, augmenting India’s air combat capabilities and helping to improve the country’s deterrent posture.
The DAC also recently approved the purchase of 280 long- and short-range missiles for the Indian Air Force’s Russian-developed S-400 air defense system, which protects India from high-speed combat aircrafts (such as cruise missiles) as well as ballistic missile threats.
India is also collaborating with Russia to explore the acquisition of five additional units of the S-400 system. Separately, a medium-range air defense system known as Pantsir has been developed to counter cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), providing a further layer of air defense capabilities for India.
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Why the upgrades matter
The combination of these acquisitions will:
- Allow for longer standoff strike capabilities using our aerial refuelling capability
- Provide an improvement in our capability to provide early warning of aerial threats
- Upgrade our combat fleet with MRFA allowing for modernisation of all MRCS capabilities
- Provide advanced missile systems which will enhance deterrence.
India’s upgrades reflect a shift toward more advanced air combat and surveillance dominance, enabling long-range sustained operations that align with strategic requirements along the northern borders and support missions across the Indian Ocean Region.
Looking ahead
With refuelers and AWACS being very important to increased capabilities for operations, with the addition of new fighter aircraft and missile systems moving forward, the IAF is entering a period of Modernization.
Timelines indicate that India will be in a position to have a much stronger Air Combat Force by 2026, with the ability to expand its reach, maintain a higher level of resilience and operate with greater situational awareness in real-time.
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